Private Tenants who have an Overnight Carer
From 1 April 2011 there are new rules to give more help
for people who need overnight care.
Private tenants normally only get Housing Benefit based on the
number of rooms needed for people who actually live with them
but if you have an extra bedroom the new rules mean your
Housing Benefit will take account of this if this used by
someone who cares for you or your partner but who normally lives
elsewhere.
The new rules do not apply if the person needing overnight care
is someone else in your household.
If you think you may be due an increase in Housing Benefit
because of these changes please tell us so we can look at your
benefit again. You must already have an extra bedroom in your home
available for the carer to use before you can get this help. If you
are already getting Housing Benefit and meet the conditions for
this extra help there is no time limit for you to tell us about
this and you will get the increase backdated to 1 April
2011.
If you get Housing Benefit but your situation changes
after 1 April 2011 and you think you may start to be entitled to
this extra help you must tell us within a month of the change
happening or you may lose out and only get the help from the point
you tell us.
Contact
Tel: 01304 872199
Email: revenues@dover.gov.uk
