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Housing Benefit and Sheltered Housing

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1 month 3 weeks ago #295223 by TMD
I'm new to B and W

I am in the process of making a UC claim. I was surprised when I was informed at the beginning of my online claim that because I live in council sheltered accommodation for over 60s that I have to claim Housing Benefit from my local council and not through UC/DWP.

I wish I'd known a couple of weeks ago that was the case as I could have put my claim in for it then instead of waiting until I was ready to make my UC claim.

I thought it might be worth a mention here for the benefit of anyone else who, like me, also lives in sheltered accommodation.

Interestingly, the company that deals with my council's CT reduction and HB claims is Capita - the same company that will deal with my UC claim because I live in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

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1 month 2 weeks ago #295247 by David
Replied by David on topic Housing Benefit and Sheltered Housing
Hi TMC,

Thanks for raising this subject. This is what the DWP are currently stating ---

"You can apply for Universal Credit to help with housing costs if both apply:
you live in supported or sheltered housing
you’re not getting ‘care, support or supervision’ through your housing

You cannot get Universal Credit to help with housing costs if any of the following apply:
you’re living in supported or sheltered housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’
you’re living in temporary accommodation arranged by your council because you’re homeless
you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse"

So anyone living in sheltered accommodation needs to phone their local Housing Benefit department first and see if the landlord's property is on the list they keep of " qualifying sheltered accomodation ". The Housing Benefit department also looks at the amount of care provided before making a decision as to whether rent is covered by UC or HB. Do this before you complete your UC Housing Costs To Do.

One other thing.....Capita is a profit making company and does play a significant role in PIP and WCA assessments.
But Universal Credit is run solely by the DWP on behalf of the government. All DWP employees are civil servants.

David

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: TMD

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1 month 1 week ago #295650 by TMD
Replied by TMD on topic Housing Benefit and Sheltered Housing
Hi David,

Yes, that's my circumstances - I live in sheltered housing and I'm not getting care, support of supervision through my housing.

Thanks for the clarification regarding Capita.

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1 month 1 week ago #295651 by David
Replied by David on topic Housing Benefit and Sheltered Housing
Hi TMD,

I hope your UC claim goes smoothly for you.

David

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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1 month 1 week ago #295653 by TMD
Replied by TMD on topic Housing Benefit and Sheltered Housing
I'll let you know!
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1 month 1 week ago #295660 by diceman24
Replied by diceman24 on topic Housing Benefit and Sheltered Housing
Hi tmd I’ve just moved into sheltered housing and had to claim rent through my u/credit if you go to your council and see housing welfare officer they will do it all for you they done mine I just locked into my u/c account on their computer and lady done it all cause I didn’t have a clue of how to do it. They are helpful some councils
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