Housing Benefit – Parliamentary Written Answer

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what financial assistance is available other than the discretionary hardship funds, to assist claimants aged under 35 whose housing benefit is restricted to the shared accommodation rate.

Steve Webb: The extension to the age threshold for the shared accommodation rate, from 25 to under 35s has been introduced from January 2012 for new claims. For existing claimants, the change will apply at the end of their transitional protection period or, where no transitional protection is in place, on the anniversary of their claim or on a change of circumstances after that date.  Various groups of tenants in vulnerable situations are exempt from the shared accommodation rate and these will be carried forward to the age increase.  Discretionary housing payments can be paid to those in receipt of housing benefit or council tax benefit, who face a shortfall in meeting their contractual rent and where the local authority considers that further financial assistance with housing costs is required. There is no other financial assistance available from the housing benefit budget for claimants affected.