Bedroom tax /uc

[Pinkypurple24]

I just had to fill in a form on uc account about reasons my son can't share a room. I put about his autism. That he wakes several times a night. Crying /melt downs/stressed /anxious. Wakes his siblings etc . When I write it down it just feels like uc won't see it as a big deal . Feels hard to explain . Hope im just over thinking. It's been so stressful migrating over to uc

I feel like im going to end up in rent arrears as well . Everything is so confusing. I owe tax credits as well due to over payment. It feels like all the confusion and the pass over has left me in debts.

Bedroom tax does not exist. They don't tax you in your bedrooms.
How many rooms did housing benefit entitle you to? I would argue that your need has not changed because the benefit is migrating.

They absolutely do reduce housing element by 14% for 1 extra bedroom and 25% for 2.. Been looking into this very recently.. On UC they say ds's 15 and 10 have to share until 1 is 16....we previously had 4 bed rate on tax credits... Twats.

I really hope they accept the reasons I gave for ds. Hope I kick myself later for over thinking 😅

It's not a tax. It's paying a little bit of money towards a spare room you don't need.

In this case sounds like the OP does need it and should get an exemption but without her DC's additional needs, it would be a payment towards a surprise bedroom.

Gah surplus

Does your son have an EHCP, medical evidence of a condition? This would help to verify the need and be the tick box done. Xx

Does your child get DLA medium or high rate? If so it should go through easily.

Yeah he has diagnosis, ehcp. They did not ask for evidence. Just to give reasons why. I'm not sure if the ehcp would have any effect as that's more for school?

He does . Hopefully it will be ok then.

Did you not read the OP? She doesn't have a spare room that she doesn't need.

Bedroom tax has been around for some time now.

I would be clear in your journal that your son has special needs, I'm sure you have of course, but keep doing it. They may not ask for evidence but you can tell them you have it and why should they be squashed into one room when there is another available? Xx

I don't have to leave the room empty. But if they decide the children are able to share. Then I would be charged for that bedroom.

@Pinkypurple24 contact the tax credits and sort a payment plan out to pay the money owing???also can you get a bridging loan from universal credit so you don't struggle with the rent??? Had the same problems a few years ago when they changed mine over. Good luck x

I already done that .but I paid other things before I realised I owed money. But yes regardless I will need to do a payment plan

Sorry, but don't you have to pay rent on all the bedrooms so if you have a 4 bed house, you pay the rent of a 4 bed?

@Pinkypurple24 good luck 🍀 🤞 💐

It's about benefits, UC will pay for the number of rooms they decide you are entitled to, not how many you have

It does exist but under a different name officially - it’s Under Occupancy Charge. The media named it bedroom tax

In that case I think you will be exempt and won't lose benefit.

I'm a housing benefit officer (so different to uc but the legislation with awarding additional bedrooms is the same) and from what you've described it sounds like you would qualify.

If they say no I would definitely contact a welfare advise service for help with a mandatory recon or appeal.

And for a last option discretionary housing payment from your local council.

I'm not sure what you mean? I live in a 4 bedroom . 3 children 2 boys 1 girl and myself. Under a normal situation I would be entitled to a 3 bed not a 4. So they would say I have more rooms than I need. I would then have to pay bedroom tax for the extra room . But my son has special needs. So hopefully I will not have to pay it. I just have to wait and see.

Thank you so much. That does put my mind at rest.