Yes I will definitely follow up with a letter to the CEO. The lady today suggested, even though I have the HB reinstated as before, that I apply for Discretionary HB as well because I still have a considerable short fall. I shall mention this to the CEO too, especially after what Brig has said about that.

I sent an email with a scan of the rent increase, and suggested exactly that, Brig! I praised today's clerk and HO, and told them last week's fiasco caused me unneccessary stress and ill-health.

I just thought I should let you know that I have just spoken to CBC (I noticed they'd made an error with my postcode, for some strange reason!), and I thought I would ask if their stance was still the same regarding the shared/single room rate. They have admitted they made an error and the housing officer (a different one from last week's, who also happened to work for the DWP previous) is going to sort it this afternoon. I even had an apology for all the stress it caused me which subsequently made me very ill over the weekend, and for the treatment I got from the other clerks and housing officer. Thank you SO much all!

Thank you so much!!

It's Colchester Borough Council. Thanks also for the link to the DWP site. The only issue I have is being able to get in. I'm mostly housebound (something which I explained to them) and getting to the council offices in town is difficult for me on my own (Social Services have left me rot despite me asking for help, another long story!). Would emailing the council via the email they provided on their letterhead suffice?

Apparently, if it's any help, the council had on my notes that I was in 'shared accommodation'. I said this has never been the case, yet they won't alter it to it being a self-contained unit.

No, noone receives any carer's allowance for me. I receive a 'Severe Disability Premium' and an 'Enhanced Disability Premium'. The thing is, I don't have any extra rooms, just: 1 bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room. It's a small flat, not tiny, but not exactly luxury large either. I could understand it more if I had 2 bedrooms, but I don't. They want me to have shared accommodation. I did get through to Shelter eventually, but the chap (while helpful and reassuring) couldn't really confirm anything more than I'd found on their site, i.e. that I should be exempt because I receive mid-rate care DLA. He is referring me somewhere local that can provide specialist help, but not sure when I will hear from them. Hopefully mid-next week. I'm not quite in blind panic mode now, but I can't say I'll be happy until I know where I stand with all this.

PS I don't need 24hr care and thus no extra bedroom needed, but I do receive mid-rate care and do need a place of my own. I can even get medical backup to say as such if needed.

I have tried ringing Shelter today and I can't get through I don't suffer with anxiety usually, but I am now

Hi all, Firstly I hope this is the right place to post this. I have just joined having been referred here via a friend of a friend. I am in the 30-34yrs group, have chronic illness and disability, am in receipt of ESA and DLA (mid-rate care, high-rate mobility). I moved to my current 1-bed flat a year ago. Housing Benefit was awarded, pre me informing them of the change in care rate (from low) as per the previous rules of being entitled to a 1-bed place on my own. I noticed my error in not informing them when I got the paperwork through, and my Housing Benefit subsequently was raised. I was told I got this and also not the single room rate because of my mid-rate care component. Today I get a letter from the council and they are now saying because I don't have 24hr care, and thus don't need an extra room, that I am only entitled to shared accommodation. I reminded them, on two phone calls, that mid-rate care exempts from this under-35 single room rate. The first clerk told me this wasn't the case and asked the housing officer who confirmed. I did my research and found on Shelter's site it indeed confirmed the exemption rule by which I qualified. I called back, and was told, yet again, that this is wrong and actually government legislation says 24hr-care for an extra room was your only exemption. I had only just agreed a 6 month contract on my place, and currently I now have to find about half the rent per month. Because of my severe health issues, a house share is not viable, and nor is making up the short fall until I'm 35 due to all the extra costs being chronically ill and disabled incurs, which is some way off! I know I'm in the right and the council are in the wrong. I have contacted my MP and they have this afternoon emailed my council. I'm scared though. What if they don't budge? What can I do? I'm also scared of being made homeless. I have to have a place of my own - I have allergies that, if I house shared as you normally would, could quite literally kill me. Even amongst the few friends who I might usually call upon, it would require them to make such huge changes in their lifestyle and diet that it's just not realistic.