March 29, 2013 By specialguest
Today we are stepping away from our usual topics for the benefit of Africans living in the UK. You have probably by now heard about the reforms to the Welfare benefit system in the UK but are not quite sure how it is going to affect you.
We asked someone who has an understanding of the Under Occupation Welfare Reform Act and put together the guidance below to assist you.
Here’s the rules: –
One room for the tenant and partner
One for each person aged 16+
A child under 16 is expected to share with another of the same gender
A child under 10 is expected to share with another, regardless of gender
One spare room allowed for a disabled tenant or partner who needs non resident overnight carer.
Foster children are not counted as part of the household for benefit purposes.
|
Number of bedrooms |
Household |
By how many rooms are they under-occupying? |
|
|
3 |
Tenant age 45 Partner age 40 Male child age 6 Female child age 3 |
One, children of different gender expected to share until the age of 10 |
|
|
2 |
Tenant age 50 Partner age 52 (partner needs separate bedroom due to medically certified illness) |
One, there is no provision for a spare bedroom in these circumstances |
|
|
3 |
Tenant age 30 Partner age 30 Male child age 9 Female child age 8 |
One, children are expected to share until the age of 10 |
|
|
3 |
Tenant age 50 Male child age 17 Male child age 14 |
None – Anyone aged 16+ entitled to their own room |
|
|
2 |
Disabled tenant age 40. Property specially adapted |
One, there is no provision for a spare bedroom in these circumstances |
|
|
2 |
Disabled tenant, age 35, with need for overnight non-resident carer. Property not specially adapted |
None. A spare room is allowed for the carer in these circumstances Adaptations have no bearing. |
|
|
2 |
Tenant age 30 Foster child age 9 |
One. Foster children are not counted as part of the household for benefit purposes. |
|
|
4 |
Tenant age 40 Partner age 42 Male child age 19 Male child age 12 Male child age 8 Male foster child age 10 |
One. T+P share 1 room, 19 year old entitled to a room, 12 & 8 year old share as same gender, foster child not counted |
|
|
3 |
Tenant age 43 Female child age 10 (shared custody with partner who lives elsewhere) |
Two, if other parent has the child benefit. Otherwise one. Child benefit is the test of occupation for benefit purposes regardless of custody arrangements |
|
|
2 |
Tenant age 25 Partner age 25 (local lettings plan agreed with local authority allows let to couple in 2 bed flat) |
One. Local lettings plans have no relevance. |
|
|
4 |
Tenant age 30 Brother age 28 Male child age 9 Female child age 10 |
None – children not expected to share with another of the opposite gender when aged 10+ |
|
|
4 |
Tenant age 65 Partner age 63 |
None – under occupation rules do not apply to people of state retirement age. |
|
|
3 |
Tenant age 65 Partner age 58 |
None – under occupation rules do not apply to people of state retirement age. |
This is a rough guide and may not apply to your particular circumstances.
You are therefore advised to seek expert welfare advise, that will be tailored to your particular circumstances
Do you agree with this? Post your thoughts below…
Did you enjoy this article?
|