Does the bedroom tax apply in Scotland?

The bedroom tax applies in Scotland, but the Scottish government has allowed for an extension of discretionary housing payments (DHPs) to cover tenants who would otherwise lose out. You need to apply for a DHP to receive this support.

Do you pay bedroom tax if you work?

The bedroom tax applies to tenants living in social housing – that’s properties owned by the council or a housing association – claiming housing benefit. If you have more bedrooms than the rules allow and you are of working age the tax applies.

How do I get rid of bedroom tax?

Ask a friend or family member to move in You won’t be affected by the bedroom tax if a friend or family member moves into your spare room and they don’t pay rent. In most cases, a deduction is still made from your benefit because they’re expected to contribute to your rent while they live with you.

Is Housing Benefit devolved in Scotland?

Discretionary Housing Payments • Discretionary Housing Payments will be devolved in full. This will give the Scottish Parliament the power to support Housing Benefit and certain Universal Credit claimants who need help with their housing costs.

Can I get Housing Benefit in Scotland?

You could get Housing Benefit if you need help to pay your rent. Depending on where you live, you may have to claim Universal Credit instead. Universal Credit is replacing Housing Benefit for working age households. You can apply for Housing Benefit whether you’re unemployed or working.

How much is bedroom tax in Scotland?

This is widely known as the ‘bedroom tax’. It means the amount of rent tenants can claim Housing Benefit for is reduced by: 14% for one additional bedroom. 25% for two or more additional bedrooms.

How big does a bedroom have to be for bedroom tax?

The Housing Act 1985 states that a room of less than 50 sq ft cannot be used as a bedroom and a room between 50 and 70 sq ft is only half a bedroom. The room you are suggested is a spare bedroom only has insert sq ft of usable floor space and cannot be deemed a bedroom for bedroom tax purposes.

Can DHP be backdated Scotland?

Discretionary Housing Payment can be paid weekly, or can be a lump sum, it can also be backdated.

Can the council force you to downsize 2020?

“The council can only advise tenants on the benefits of downsizing. We cannot, and would not, force a tenant who is under-occupying a property to move to a smaller one.”

What is the bedroom tax UK?

Bedroom Tax (also known as under occupancy charge or spare room subsidy) means that you will receive less in Housing Benefit or Housing Costs Element in a Universal Credit claim if you live in a Housing Association or Council property and you are deemed to have one or more spare bedrooms.

What benefits are being devolved to Scotland?

Responsibility for 11 benefits is being devolved to the Scottish Government….Ill Health and Disability Benefits:

Disability Living Allowance.
Personal Independence Payment.
Attendance Allowance.
Severe Disablement Allowance.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

What happened to the bedroom tax in Scotland?

The controversial bedroom tax was effectively brought to an end in Scotland yesterday after the SNP and Labour struck a historic deal at Holyrood last night. John Swinney has called for backing for his budget.

What does the Scottish Government’s budget mean for You?

The Scottish Government’s annual Budget was passed with £35 million set aside to fully mitigate against the impact of the welfare reform which affects almost 80,000 Scottish households. It means no Scot can now face eviction from their home over the “tax”, which sees cuts in housing benefits for those considered to have a spare bedroom.

How did Holyrood’s parties come together to end the bedroom tax?

Holyrood’s two biggest parties have previously been at loggerheads over the best way to deal with the bedroom tax, but came together to neutralise its impact last night as finance secretary John Swinney agreed to a proposal by Labour for a last-minute change to the Budget.

What alternatives are the SNP offering to offset the bedroom tax?

The SNP government wants to offset the impact of the bedroom tax – and is offering two alternatives. The first is through discretionary housing payments (DHP) to those affected, with about £50 million needed to fully offset its impact on 77,000 households affected.