Under 35 one bedroom entitlement due to PIP

Quirkz
Quirkz Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected
edited June 15 in Housing and independent living

I am 29 years old and have been in a one bedroom flat since 2019 provided by the council and Universal Credit pay my housing costs.

Before this I lived in a one bedroom flat privately, and I got housing benefit with the one bedroom rate allowance as I am on PIP and that meant I was eligible for this rather than a shared allowance rate.

I am very confused reading online about how it differs from private to council housing and the rules.

If I lost my PIP award due to the benefit cuts, would I be expected to pay the difference between the shared allowance and one bedroom rate, or does this only apply to the private sector?

Would the council evict me too as I believe you need to be over 35 to get social housing unless you get PIP? But then surely the council would be making me homeless?

Some advice would be really welcome as I am having dark thoughts. 😞

Tagged:

Comments

  • Quirkz
    Quirkz Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected

    If nobody has the answer, which is completely understandable.

    Does anyone know who will that I can contact? Thanks. 🙏

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,600 Championing

    Hi,

    As you're in Social Housing then you get full rent paid by UC. However, there can be deductions for a spare bedroom or a property that is considered too large for your needs.

    Each council has their own rules for Social Housing, there isn't a nationwide age limit of 35 as far as I'm aware. You should contact your Councils Housing department to ask about that.

    You can contact Universal Credit for confirmation regarding the Housing Element, although you may find more accurate advice from Citizens Advice Bureau for a national topic like this.

  • Charlie_Scope
    Charlie_Scope Posts: 186 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hello @Quirkz

    The shared room rate only applies to private renters.

    As you are in social housing (housing rented from a council or housing assosiciation), even if you lost PIP they would continue to pay the amount they are currently for your housing element.

    As @OverlyAnxious mentions, this would be different if you had more than one bedroom and lived alone, or if you had other people living with you, as losing PIP could then potentially impact your housing element.

  • Quirkz
    Quirkz Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1037137#Comment_1037137

    Thank you very much for your help, I appreciate it.

  • Quirkz
    Quirkz Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1037143#Comment_1037143

    Thank you very much, I don't have any of the other things you mention.

    Is it possible that I could lose my flat if my PIP stopped? Could they move me to a bedsit?

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 2,653 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Quirkz you might find this link helpful for looking into this more - PIP and Housing Benefit - Care Guide UK however as a member has mentioned (the website suggests too), it may be worth having a chat with Citizens Advice to understand how this might affect you personally.

  • Quirkz
    Quirkz Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1037785#Comment_1037785

    Thank you very much for the link, it looks really helpful.

Categories