The bedroom tax. Don't get caught sleeping. Find out more.
The bedroom tax. Don’t get caught sleeping. Find out more.
For help & advice contact the tenancy sustainment team 01744 637383
www.helenahomes.co.uk
For help & advice contact the tenancy sustainment team 01744 637383
Who does the Bedroom Tax Affect? Anyone receiving housing benefit, between the ages of 16-62, will potentially be affected by the Bedroom Tax. (By 2020 this will rise to people aged 66.) Housing benefit will be calculated against the number of bedrooms the Government says you need.
Here’s how the Government calculates how many bedrooms you need
Adult couple
Single adult over the age of 16
Parent(s) with single child
Parent(s) with two children of the same sex, aged under 16 You will only be entitled to a room for children if you are claiming Child benefit.
Parent(s) with two children of each sex aged under 10
Parent(s) with two children of each sex aged 10-16
Single parent with two children of each sex aged 10-16
What happens if you have a spare bedroom?
1
-14%
2
-25%
If you have an overnight carer, who doesn’t live with you, you will be entitled to a room for them.
Example A couple live in a three bedroom house with two daughters aged 6 and 8. Their rent is £100 a week. Under the new rules, their daughters will be expected to share a room.
If you have one spare bedroom your housing benefit will be cut by 14%
If you have two spare bedrooms it will be reduced by 25%
This means they will have one spare bedroom and their housing benefit will be reduced by 14% to £86 a week. They will now have to pay £14 a week to cover their rent.
£86 Remember: You will be responsible for paying the difference between your housing benefit and your rent
£14
For help & advice contact the tenancy sustainment team 01744 637383
Your choices
I want to stay in my property If you can afford to pay the difference between your housing benefit and your rent the easiest way is by Direct Debit. Alternatively you can pay online or over the phone with a credit or debit card.
helenahomes.co.uk
I want to stay but need some help Making up the shortfall between your rent and housing benefit is your responsibility but you might consider:
Better budgeting
Take in a lodger
Work or training
We offer practical advice on anaging your budget, claiming m the right benefits, reducing your fuel bills and dealing with debt.
You’d need our permission and you’d be responsible for collecting their rent. But taking in a lodger could help cover the cost of your home.
We’re keen to help get our customers back into work or on a training course and can provide plenty of advice, information and assistance.
Find out more at www.spareroom.co.uk
I want to move to a smaller property Whilst we can’t move everyone to a smaller home, we’ll do our best to help. If you know another Helena Homes customer, who is keen to swap with you, we could organise that. Alternatively, a free service at www.homeswapper.co.uk has helped lots of people swap to a smaller, more cost-effective home. The Team at Helena One Call are available for help and support too.
For advice & support call 01744 637383
www.helenahomes.co.uk
For help & advice contact the tenancy sustainment team 01744 637383
www.helenahomes.co.uk
For help & advice contact the tenancy sustainment team 01744 637383
Who does the Bedroom Tax Affect? Anyone receiving housing benefit, between the ages of 16-62, will potentially be affected by the Bedroom Tax. (By 2020 this will rise to people aged 66.) Housing benefit will be calculated against the number of bedrooms the Government says you need.
Here’s how the Government calculates how many bedrooms you need
Adult couple
Single adult over the age of 16
Parent(s) with single child
Parent(s) with two children of the same sex, aged under 16 You will only be entitled to a room for children if you are claiming Child benefit.
Parent(s) with two children of each sex aged under 10
Parent(s) with two children of each sex aged 10-16
Single parent with two children of each sex aged 10-16
What happens if you have a spare bedroom?
1
-14%
2
-25%
If you have an overnight carer, who doesn’t live with you, you will be entitled to a room for them.
Example A couple live in a three bedroom house with two daughters aged 6 and 8. Their rent is £100 a week. Under the new rules, their daughters will be expected to share a room.
If you have one spare bedroom your housing benefit will be cut by 14%
If you have two spare bedrooms it will be reduced by 25%
This means they will have one spare bedroom and their housing benefit will be reduced by 14% to £86 a week. They will now have to pay £14 a week to cover their rent.
£86 Remember: You will be responsible for paying the difference between your housing benefit and your rent
£14
For help & advice contact the tenancy sustainment team 01744 637383
Your choices
I want to stay in my property If you can afford to pay the difference between your housing benefit and your rent the easiest way is by Direct Debit. Alternatively you can pay online or over the phone with a credit or debit card.
helenahomes.co.uk
I want to stay but need some help Making up the shortfall between your rent and housing benefit is your responsibility but you might consider:
Better budgeting
Take in a lodger
Work or training
We offer practical advice on anaging your budget, claiming m the right benefits, reducing your fuel bills and dealing with debt.
You’d need our permission and you’d be responsible for collecting their rent. But taking in a lodger could help cover the cost of your home.
We’re keen to help get our customers back into work or on a training course and can provide plenty of advice, information and assistance.
Find out more at www.spareroom.co.uk
I want to move to a smaller property Whilst we can’t move everyone to a smaller home, we’ll do our best to help. If you know another Helena Homes customer, who is keen to swap with you, we could organise that. Alternatively, a free service at www.homeswapper.co.uk has helped lots of people swap to a smaller, more cost-effective home. The Team at Helena One Call are available for help and support too.
For advice & support call 01744 637383
www.helenahomes.co.uk
