Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to exempt all care leavers from the shared accommodation rate for housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.
Care leavers up to the age of 22 are exempt from the Local Housing Allowance shared accommodation rate in the Private Rented Sector. There are no current plans to extend this exemption to all care leavers.
For individuals who may require more support and whose circumstances may make it difficult for them to share accommodation, Discretionary Housing Payments are available.