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What is Bedroom Tax?
Bolton Council introduced an Under Occupancy charge (Bedroom Tax) in April 2013. This means that working age tenants who receive Housing Benefit with a spare bedroom will lose:
- 14% of the eligible rent for one spare bedroom
- 25% of the eligible rent for two or more spare bedrooms
For more information about Under Occupancy or Bedroom Tax, visit www.bolton.gov.uk
You can download this helpful fact sheet on Bedroom Tax:
What should I do if I am affected by Bedroom Tax?
If you affected by the Under Occupancy Charge (Bedroom Tax), you have the following options:
- Stay in your current home and pay the difference on your rent.
- Apply for Discretionary Housing Payment from Bolton Council.
- Contact our Money Advice Team on 01204 328000.
How do I apply for Discretionary Housing Payment?
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a way of helping you if the amount of Housing Benefit or housing costs in your Universal Credit you get is not enough to pay your rent.
They are short-term payments to help people with their rent if they are experiencing financial hardship. DHPs can be awarded as a one-off payment or as a series of payments.
DHPs are not Housing Benefit, however, to receive a DHP you must be receiving some Housing Benefit or Universal Credit which includes an amount for housing costs.
To make a claim you must fill in and complete a Discretionary Housing Payment Application form and advise why you are unable to pay your rent. Click here to learn how to make your claim.
You can download this helpful factsheet on Discretionary Housnig Payment:
Other adults who live with you
If there are other people, aged over 18 who live with you, they will be expected to pay towards housing costs and Council Tax.
These people are called non dependants and we take a set amount off your benefit for them based on their income.
For more information please click here to visit the Bolton Council website.