Housing Benefit – Parliamentary Written Answer

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to Regulation 12D(5) and (7) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, for what reasons the 13 weeks protection rule is not being replicated under universal credit; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: This provision in housing benefit, introduced in 1986, allows a more generous level of support for people who have not claimed in the preceding 12 months and who could afford their rent when they took on the commitment. It was designed to provide protection for people on higher incomes who lose their jobs, allowing them a buffer period before their rent support is reduced to the local housing allowance level. We do not believe that this differential level of support should be carried forward into universal credit. It would be incompatible with universal credit design principles, and would add complexity and administrative costs to the calculation process.

Judgement to Force Changes to Benefit Rules

Housing benefit rules for private rented tenants discriminate against disabled people and will have to be changed, the Court of Appeal has ruled. The Court of Appeal has found that the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, which restrict benefit according to property size, discriminate against disabled people because they do not allow an additional room to be paid for where two children cannot share because of disabilities. The ruling means the government will have to change the regulations.  Read more on Inside Housing.