Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing – Parliamentary Written Answer

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the rent of those parents of disabled children exempted from the under-occupancy penalty will be paid from the general housing benefit budget rather than through discretionary housing payments; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: If local authorities are satisfied that an extra bedroom is required for a disabled child or children then payments will be made from the general housing benefit budget.  Where an extra bedroom is not deemed essential, discretionary housing payments may be considered, based on the circumstances and facts of each individual case.