Housing Benefit – Parliamentary Written Answer

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who would be subject to the under-occupancy penalty if single parents with equal custody rights each rely on housing benefit.

Steve Webb: Housing benefit only takes account of a child in a claim from the parent with the main responsibility for that child's care. Where care is shared equally the main responsibility normally follows the person who receives child benefit for that child. Any claimant who is not deemed to have main responsibility for a child will not have that child considered for under-occupancy purposes. This is consistent with the treatment of those living in the private rented sector.