Known as the Bedroom Tax, under occupancy means that you will lose part of your housing benefit if you are living in a property which has more bedrooms than the government thinks you need.
From 1 April the amount of housing benefit you receive will depend on the number of bedrooms you have. Check the bedroom rules. If you have more bedrooms than the government think you need you will get less housing benefit. This means that you will have to find the extra money yourself to pay your rent. New rules about which family members should share bedrooms could apply to you. The table below gives you an idea of how much less you might receive in housing benefit each week.
(It will only affect people of working age. If you were born on or before 6 October 1951, this will not affect you.)
How much money will it cost?
The “bedroom tax” rules
There are some rules meaning it will be expected that in certain situations members of your household will be expected to share a room.
One bedroom will be allowed for each of the following:
- An adult aged 16 or over
- An adult couple
- 2 children of the same sex under 16
- 2 children aged under 10 regardless of their sex
- A single child (if you only have one)
- A carer who does not normally live with you if you or your partner need overnight care.
How might welfare reform affect you?
What has YH been doing?
At YH, we have identified the customers who we know will be affected by the bedroom tax. We are working with them individually to support them with the best options available. If you think that you are affected by these changes and we have not contacted you, please call your Benefit & Money Advisor.
What are your options?
If you have questions, or are worried about any of what you have read here, or anything you’ve seen in the news, contact your Benefit & Money Advisor.