Housing benefit reforms.

[SparkyMark]

How many of you are in receipt of housing benefit while in social (housing authority) housing? How many of you have a spare room? Did you know that if you have one spare bedroom you will lose 14% and if you have two spare rooms you will lose 25% of your housing benefit in April 2013? That's only 6 months away!! Due to this, I requested an assessment from my housing authority and had an assessment this morning. I am a single father with children that stay every weekend and split holidays, I have a hearing and balance disorder, diabetes and FMS. I have only just got settled in my adapted property which I got through the council and housing authority meeting the criteria due to disabilities and joint custody, I moved in at the begining of February. I am now being told that I have to find the 14% to stay here out of other benefits, so ok, that will have to come out of my DLA, approx £80 per month. Oh, wait, that changes to PIP starting next year and I am bound to lose money there too, so where does that leave me? The short answer is back on the housing list, looking for a one bedroom property, all of which are going for around the same price as the one I am in, so where is the saving? This mean that when my girls come and stay, I will have to sleep on the sofa, which is just great for a FMS sufferer right? If any of you are in a similar boat, I urge you to act now.

[Hidden]

hi i am exactly the same as your situation ,but the diffidence is i am in 3 bed property with my adult son who is student ,while ago i received a letter from my housing that if you have one spare bedroom you will lose 14% and if you have two spare rooms you will lose 25% of your housing benefit in April 2013 .

i really don't know what can i do and how can i afford to pay that 14%,

if you find a way please let me know.

many thanks

[lizabet]

i was told if you have joint custody this law will not apply .also if you are of pensionable age it also does not affect you

[SparkyMark in reply to lizabet]

I have contacted my MP with regards to this and he has written to the DWP for answers. My understanding is that the room has to be used for the majority of the week for it to qualify as an occupied room. This by my reconing is 4 nights per week. I am unsure if that can be collated from weekends and holidays and used as an average over a week, but this is one of my questions to my MP. With regards to pensionable age, I don't know, but I can ask. When I find out anymore, I will be sure to let everyone know.

[cozreece]

Hi all this info sickens me to the core i too will be affected by this ,we are a couple with 1 child living on JSA (which is the minimum the law says you NEED to live on ) i have Fibro but cant get DLA cos i do no t have any other illness connected to it , we are in a 3 bedroom house but all are used as i do not sleep with my partner due to me being in pain all of the time and not sleeping ,yet we are classed as having an extra bedroom because i do not get any carers allowance I really do not no how we will manage this law is absolutely ridiculous .

[SparkyMark in reply to cozreece]

It is sickening you are right, not enough thought and consideration has been given by the Government. If I move to a 1 bedroom property, it will cost the same rent as my 2 bed, give or take a couple of pounds. I know this as the properties I am eligible to bid on are of similar rents, so where is the saving? This will also mean that I will have to share my room with my 2 girls at the weekends or sleep on the sofa, which we all know is awful with FMS!!!

[sue57]

I was told that if a spare room is used for a carer it won't change anything.

[SparkyMark in reply to sue57]

This is correct again but only if the carer stays for 3 or more nights. Majority rule again, plus it will have to be given in writing.

[soma1]

hi, i get esa and low rate dla and i av fibro, cancer, and kidney trouble and i rent a one bed flat, , have to pay towards my rent since last july, as the lha changed its rules, we all struggle so much with our health, and yet we are put thro more stress of how to live on the money we are allowed, next yr we we will all have to pay so much in coun cil tax as well, so something will have to be adjusted, i have worked for most of my life not had children, paid my dues ,all this makes me feel like i am begging, and yet there are people who have never done a days work, and they seem to get so much help.life is so unfair. tc x

[soma1]

hi again, i forgot to say i also have ptsd. x