DLA (Middle), Housing Benefit & Housing Benefit Premium

[adridude]

Hi,

 

I'm a little confused about the "disability premium" which I asked the council about. I've seen it mentioned before and they seem to keep fobbing it off.

 

The local Housing Allowance in the area is £450 per month (£103 / week), and they're paying £110 towards my rent. They seem to think that it's worked in with my Housing Benefits, but looking at the breakdown I don't see any mention of it.

 

In the HB breakdown, the worked it out as:

 

£90.08 used as my income (after DLA being disregarded and a bit of my Tax Credits disregarded too).

 

They said in their letter (Entitlements Letter) that, the law says that I need to live on "£165.35" per week and as they word it:

 

Income used in this calculation: 90.08

Less how much the law says you need to live on: £165.35

 

Where exactly do I find the "exact" value out, as they don't seem to be able to point me in the direction to where I can find it. Scouting around on the web, I notice that pretty much most councils have Disability Premium listed on their pages, but not mine...

 

Any idea as to how I should approach this?

 

Cheers,

 

A

[estellyn]

do you live alone or in a couple?

 

also not entirely sure of what your issue is, as it's not clear - you say you're being paid £110 a week HB and your rent is £103.50, is that right?

[id6052]

applicable amount 2014/15

 

personal allowance £72.40

disability premium £31.85

severe disability premium £61.10

 

applicable amount 2015/16

 

personal allowance £73.10

disability premium £32.25

severe disability premium £61.85

[adridude]

I live alone..

 

do you live alone or in a couple?

 

also not entirely sure of what your issue is, as it's not clear - you say you're being paid £110 a week HB and your rent is £103.50, is that right?

 

 

Indeed, they're paying £110 / week, but I'm topping up an extra £45 / week out of other incomes (rent works out at 155 a week).

 

What I'm trying to get my head wrapped around is how Disability premium works, if I am actually getting it (or is the LA pulling the wool over my eyes).

[adridude]

applicable amount 2014/15

 

personal allowance £72.40

disability premium £31.85

severe disability premium £61.10

 

applicable amount 2015/16

 

personal allowance £73.10

disability premium £32.25

severe disability premium £61.85

 

 

Hi,

 

Can you let me know where you found these figures? It'd be handy to have something to quote them if I need to speak to them.

 

I've applies for Discretionary Housing Payments (which are temporary) but they'll get me out of immediate crap.

 

What's the difference between the severe and regular? I'm currently on Middle Rate DLA

[estellyn]

I live alone..

 

 

 

 

Indeed, they're paying £110 / week, but I'm topping up an extra £45 / week out of other incomes (rent works out at 155 a week).

 

What I'm trying to get my head wrapped around is how Disability premium works, if I am actually getting it (or is the LA pulling the wool over my eyes).

 

The LA are paying up to the local housing allowance, they won't pay above that regardless of what disability premiums you qualify for.

[adridude]

Right, I see. In that case I'll have to just cross the fingers and hope for the best for the Discretionary help to get the small shortfall cleared...

 

Thanks for the advice I guess that resolves this

[estellyn]

Right, I see. In that case I'll have to just cross the fingers and hope for the best for the Discretionary help to get the small shortfall cleared...

 

Thanks for the advice I guess that resolves this

 

I know it's frustrating - in similar circumstances we were paying £200 a month when we lived in private housing. It's very difficult, but good luck with the DHP.

[Nystagmite]

Hi,

 

Can you let me know where you found these figures? It'd be handy to have something to quote them if I need to speak to them.

 

I've applies for Discretionary Housing Payments (which are temporary) but they'll get me out of immediate crap.

 

What's the difference between the severe and regular? I'm currently on Middle Rate DLA

 

The current benefit rates can be found here

 

The regular disability premium is paid to anyone on any rate of DLA or PIP or registered blind. The severe disability premium is paid to anyone on the mid or high rate care DLA or enhanced PIP and lives alone (or classed as - some people are ignored) and no-one claims carers allowance for them.

[adridude]

I know it's frustrating - in similar circumstances we were paying £200 a month when we lived in private housing. It's very difficult, but good luck with the DHP.

 

Thanks. I'm in the process of opening up a company and this isn't making it any easier Lets hope things go well and I can get shot of all this!

[adridude]

The current benefit rates can be found here

 

The regular disability premium is paid to anyone on any rate of DLA or PIP or registered blind. The severe disability premium is paid to anyone on the mid or high rate care DLA or enhanced PIP and lives alone (or classed as - some people are ignored) and no-one claims carers allowance for them.

 

Thats interesting as the LA is only allowing for £31.85 i.e. disability premium (not severe disability premium) as I'm on Middle Rate DLA.

[id6052]

in your original post, you stated how much the law says you need to live on: £165.35

 

the £165.35 (which was the pre April figure) is made up of personal allowance £72.40 plus disability premium £31.85 plus severe disability premium £61.10