From April 2013, the Government is to reduce the amount
of Housing Benefit (HB) paid to working age tenants who
have spare bedrooms in their homes. This new rule will
apply to all Housing Association tenants. This includes
tenants of Golden Gates Housing Trust.
If you have 1 spare bedroom, the amount of HB you receive is
to be reduced by 14% and 25% if you have 2 or more spare
bedrooms.
What is working age?
At the moment working age is someone less than 60 years and 6
months.
How will this affect you?
It will be up to YOU to pay more to your landlord to make up the
reduction in your HB.
People affected will include:
•
•
•
•
•
Single, working, HB claimants living alone in properties with two
bedrooms or more (even where a second bedroom is needed due to
parental access to children).
Couples living alone in properties with two bedrooms or more (even
where the second bedroom is needed due to a disability where there is
no outside care or for grandchildren).
Families who live in properties with three bedrooms or more where
children can share a bedroom, for example, two same gender children
aged under 16, or two children aged under 10 regardless of gender.
Families with foster children will also be affected as foster children are not
considered to be part of the claimants household for assessing the number
of bedrooms you need.
If you have a non-resident carer who stays overnight, you may be allowed an
additional room.
Help and Advice
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
01925 246994
The Gateway, 89 Sankey Street, Warrington,
WA1 1SR
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Warrington Housing Benefits
01925 443210
Contact Warrington, 26-30 Buttermarket Street,
Warrington
www.warrington.gov.uk/residents
Vulnerable Tenant Support Scheme
01744 670265
The Gateway, 89 Sankey Street, Warrington,
WA1 1SR
Shelter
0344 515 2911 (Advice Line)
www.shelter.org.uk
Warrington Credit Unions
www.warringtoncreditunions.co.uk
Direct Gov
www.direct.gov.org.uk
You can access the internet at Contact Warrington and libraries in Warrington.