Do you receive Universal Credit and a Discretionary Housing Payment for the spare bedroom deduction (known as the bedroom tax)?
Please remember you will need to apply for a renewal from April 2022, unless your circumstances have changed.
This is only for those that receive Universal Credit, if you receive Housing Benefit this will be renewed automatically, unless your circumstances have changed.
You should have received a reminder letter from Scottish Borders Council.
If you have not already completed this, you can apply online now at: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20019/housing_benefits/454/discretionary_housing_payment
If you do not reapply, your Discretionary Housing Payment will stop and you will be required to cover any shortfall in your rent.
The amount of deduction depends on the number of bedrooms by which a home is under-occupied, as per Government guidance. This is then deducted from your benefit entitlement, which means there is a rent shortfall which you will need to pay.
Deductions are made as follows:
• 14% for one bedroom
• 25% for two or more bedrooms
This is based on the size of property your family requires. One bedroom is allowed for:
• Each adult or adult couple under pension age
• Any other adult aged 16 or over
• Any two children of the same sex aged under 16 years
• Any two children aged under 10 (regardless of gender)
To check your bedroom entitlement visit: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20019/housing_benefits/626/bedroom_entitlement_calculator
An application can be made to Scottish Borders Council to cover your shortfall – this payment is called a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
For more information give our Customer Experience Team a call on 0800 652 8104 or if you prefer, you can email the team at info@berwickshirehousing.org.uk.