Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits on excluding disabled people from the under occupancy penalty, in the event that suitable alternative accommodation at (a) the same or (b) a lower rent not available.
An assessment has not been made regarding the exclusion of disabled people from the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy if suitable alternative accommodation at the same, or lower rent is not available. However, the size criteria rules that are used to work out the size of the household and whether the property is under-occupied for the purposes of Housing Benefit and Universal Credit, already allow an additional bedroom for disabled people and children in the following circumstances:
In cases where a relevant qualifying benefit is not in payment, but either a couple or child are unable to share a bedroom due to disability, the local authority should consider whether a Discretionary Housing Payment is appropriate.
Since 2011, the Government has provided around £1 billion to date to local authorities to help support vulnerable people affected by different welfare reforms. This includes £25 million per year to support disabled people living in significantly adapted accommodation, including any adaptations made for disabled children.