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The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006

Type Statutory-Instrument

Publication 2006-02-02

Last updated 2026-04-06

State In force

Department King's Printer of Acts of Parliament

Source legislation.gov.uk

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(2) This paragraph applies in a case where the amount recoverable from the landlord relates to an overpayment of housing benefit in relation to which the landlord has—

(a) agreed to pay a penalty pursuant to section 115A of the Administration Act (penalty as an alternative to prosecution); or

(b) been convicted of an offence arising under the Act or any other enactment.

(3) In any case to which paragraph (2) applies or will apply when recovery is made the authority that has determined that there is an overpayment and that it is recoverable from the landlord shall notify both the landlord and the tenant that—

(a) the overpayment that it has recovered or that it has determined to recover (“that sum”) is or will be one to which paragraph (2) applies; and

(b) the landlord has no right in relation to that sum against the tenant, and that his obligation to the landlord shall be taken to be discharged by the amount so recovered.

PART 14 — Information

SECTION 1 — Claims and information

Interpretation

108

In this Section—

“county council” means a county council in England, but only if the council has made an arrangement in accordance with regulation 83(4)(g) or 109(3);

“local authority” means an authority administering housing benefit;

“relevant authority” means—the Secretary of State; ora person providing services to the Secretary of State; or a county council;

“relevant information” means information or evidence relating to the administration of claims to or awards of housing benefit.

Collection of information

109

(1) The Secretary of State, or a person providing services to him, may receive or obtain relevant information from—

(a) persons making, or who have made, claims for housing benefit; or

(b) other persons in connection with such claims.

(2) In paragraph (1) references to persons who have made claims for housing benefit include persons to whom awards of benefit have been made on those claims.

(3) Where a county council has made an arrangement with a local authority, or a person authorised to exercise any function of a local authority relating to housing benefit..., to receive and obtain information or evidence relating to claims for housing benefit, the council may receive or obtain the information or evidence from—

(a) persons making claims for housing benefit; or

(b) other persons in connection with such claims.

(4) A county council may receive information or evidence relating to an award of housing benefit which is supplied by—

(a) the person to whom the award has been made; or

(b) other persons in connection with the award.

Recording and holding information

110

A relevant authority which obtains relevant information or to whom such information is supplied—

(a) shall make a record of such information; and

(b) may hold that information, whether as supplied or obtained or recorded, for the purpose of forwarding it to the person or authority for the time being administering housing benefit.

Forwarding of information

111

A relevant authority which holds relevant information—

(a) shall forward it to the person or authority for the time being administering claims to or awards of housing benefit to which the relevant information relates, being—

(i) a local authority;

(ii) a person providing services to a local authority; or

(iii) a person authorised to exercise any function of a local authority relating to housing benefit; and

(b) may, if the relevant authority is the Secretary of State or a person providing services to the Secretary of State, continue to hold a record of such information, whether as supplied or obtained or recorded, for such period as he considers appropriate.

Request for information

112

A relevant authority which holds information or evidence relating to social security matters shall forward such information or evidence as may be requested to the person or authority making that request, provided that—

(a) the request is made by—

(i) a local authority;

(ii) a person providing services to a local authority; or

(iii) a person authorised to exercise any function of a local authority relating to housing benefit; and

(b) the information or evidence requested includes relevant information;

(c) the relevant authority is able to provide the information or evidence requested in the form in which it was originally supplied or obtained; and

(d) provision of the information or evidence requested is considered necessary by the relevant authority to the proper performance by a local authority of its functions relating to housing benefit.

SECTION 2 — Information from landlords and agents and between authorities etc.

Interpretation

113

In this Section—

“the notice” means the notice prescribed in regulation 118(1)(b) (circumstances for requiring information);

“relevant information” means such information as is prescribed in regulation 119 (relevant information);

“the requirer” means a person within regulation 117 (requiring information from landlords and agents), who requires information pursuant to that regulation;

“the supplier” means an appropriate person who is required, pursuant to regulations 117 and 118, to supply relevant information and any person who is not so required is not, for the purpose of supplying information pursuant to section 126A of the Administration Act and these Regulations, an appropriate person.

Evidence and information required by rent officers

114

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Information to be supplied by an authority to another authority

115

(1) This regulation applies for the purposes of section 128A of the Administration Act (duty of an authority to disclose information to another authority).

(2) Information is to be disclosed by one authority to another where—

(a) there is a mover who is or was in receipt of housing benefit from Authority “A”;

(b) either the mover’s new dwelling is within the area of another Authority “B” or the mover is liable or treated as liable to make payments in respect of the new dwelling to housing authority B; and

(3) Authority A shall disclose to Authority B—

(a) the amount of the extended payment calculated in accordance with regulation 72C(2) (amount of extended payment – movers);

(b) the date that entitlement to the extended payment will commence or has commenced;

(d) the date of the move from Authority A to Authority B;

(e) where the extended payment will be paid by Authority A to Authority B in accordance with regulation 72C(3)(a) (payment of extended payment to the second authority)—

(i) the amount that Authority A will pay to Authority B in accordance with that paragraph; and

(ii) any other information required by Authority B to enable Authority A to make the payment in accordance with that paragraph; and

(f) if any deduction was being made in respect of a recoverable overpayment.

(4) Authority B shall disclose to Authority A—

(a) if a mover’s liability to make payments for the new dwelling is to Authority B; and

(b) where the extended payment will be paid by Authority A to Authority B in accordance with regulation 72C(3)(a)—

(i) any information required by Authority A to enable Authority A to make the payment in accordance with that paragraph; and

(ii) the date on which Authority B receives any such payment.

Supply of information: extended payments (severe disablement allowance and incapacity benefit)

116

(1) This regulation applies for the purposes of section 122E(3) of the Administration Act (duty of an authority to supply information to another authority).

(2) Information is to be disclosed by one authority to another where—

(a) there is a mover who is or was in receipt of housing benefit from Authority “A”;

(b) either the mover’s new dwelling is within the area of another Authority “B” or the mover is liable or treated as liable to make payments in respect of the new dwelling to housing authority B; and

(3) Authority A shall disclose to Authority B—

(a) the amount of the extended payment (qualifying contributory benefits) calculated in accordance with regulation 73C(2) (amount of extended payment – movers);

(b) the date that entitlement to the extended payment will commence or has commenced;

(d) the date of the move from Authority A to Authority B;

(e) where the extended payment will be paid by Authority A to Authority B in accordance with regulation 73C(3)(a) (payment of the extended payment to the second authority)—

(i) the amount that Authority A will pay to Authority B in accordance with that paragraph; and

(ii) any other information required by Authority B to enable Authority A to make the payment in accordance with that paragraph; and

(f) if any deduction was being made in respect of a recoverable overpayment.

(4) Authority B shall disclose to Authority A—

(a) if a mover’s liability to make payments for the new dwelling is to Authority B; and

(b) where the extended payment will be paid by Authority A to Authority B in accordance with regulation 73C(3)(a)—

(i) any information required by Authority A to enable Authority A to make the payment in accordance with that paragraph; and

(ii) the date on which Authority B receives any such payment.

Requiring information from landlords and agents

117

Pursuant to section 126A of the Administration Act (information from landlords and agents), where a claim is made to an authority, on which a rent allowance may be awarded, then, in the circumstances prescribed in regulation 118 (circumstances for requiring information), that authority, or any person authorised to exercise any functions of the authority relating to housing benefit, may require an appropriate person to supply to that authority or person relevant information, in the manner prescribed in regulation 120 (manner of supply of information).

Circumstances for requiring information

118

(1) A person is required to supply information in the following circumstances—

(a) he is an appropriate person in relation to any dwelling in respect of which—

(i) housing benefit is being paid to an appropriate person pursuant to regulation 95 or 96 (circumstances in which payment is to be or may be made to a landlord); or

(ii) a request has been made by an appropriate person or by the claimant for housing benefit to be so paid; and

(b) the requirer serves upon that appropriate person, whether by post or otherwise, a written notice stating that the requirer—

(i) suspects that there is or may be an impropriety in relation to a claim in respect of any dwelling wherever situate in relation to which he is an appropriate person; or

(ii) is already investigating an allegation of impropriety in relation to that person.

(2) In formation required to be supplied under paragraph (1) shall be supplied to the requirer at the address specified in the notice.

Relevant information

119

(1) The information the supplier is to supply to the requirer is that prescribed in paragraphs (2) and (3) (referred to in this Part as “the relevant information”).

(2) For a supplier who falls within paragraph (4) or section 126A(2)(b) of the Administration Act (“the landlord”), the information is—

(a) where the landlord is a natural person—

(i) his appropriate details;

(ii) the relevant particulars of any residential property in which he has an interest; and

(iii) the appropriate details of any body corporate, in which he is a major shareholder or of which he is a director and which has an interest in residential property;

(b) where the landlord is a trustee, except a trustee of a charity, in addition to any information that he is required to supply in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) or (c), as the case may be, the relevant particulars of any residential property held by the trust of which he is a trustee and the name and address of any beneficiary under the trust or the objects of that trust, as the case may be;

(i) its appropriate details;

(ii) the relevant particulars of any residential property in which it has an interest;

(iii) the names and addresses of any directors of it;

(iv) the appropriate details of any person—

(aa) who owns 20 per cent. or more of it; or

(bb) of whom it owns 20 per cent. or more; and

(v) the names and addresses of its major shareholders;

(d) where the landlord is a charity or is a recognised body, the appropriate details relating to the landlord and particulars of the landlord's registration as a charity.

(3) For a supplier who falls within section 126A(2)(c) of the Administration Act or paragraph (5)(“the agent”), the information is—

(a) the name and address of any person (“his principal”)—

(i) to whom the agent has agreed to make payments in consequence of being entitled to receive relevant payments: or

(ii) for whom the agent is acting on behalf of or in connection with any aspect of the management of a dwelling,

as the case may be;

(b) the relevant particulars of any residential property in respect of which the agent—

(i) has agreed to make payments in consequence of being entitled to receive relevant payments; or

(ii) is acting on behalf of his principal in connection with any aspect of its management;

(i) the relevant particulars of any residential property in which he has an interest;

(ii) the appropriate details of any body corporate or any person not a natural person, in which he is a major shareholder or of which he is a director and which has any interest in residential property; or

(d) where the agent is a body corporate or other than a natural person—

(i) the relevant particulars of any residential property in which it has an interest;

(ii) the names and addresses of any directors of or major shareholders in the agent; and

(iii) the appropriate details of any person—

(aa) who owns 20 per cent. or more of the agent; or

(bb) of whom the agent owns 20 per cent. or more.

(4) A supplier falls within this paragraph (landlord receiving rent), if he falls within section 126A(2)(a) of the Administration Act, but does not fall within paragraph (5).

(5) A supplier falls within this paragraph (agent receiving the rent), if he falls within subsection (2)(a) of section 126A of the Administration Act and has agreed to make payments, in consequence of being entitled to receive relevant payments, to a person falling within subsection (2)(b) of that section.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation—

“appropriate details” means the name of the person and (in the case of a company) its registered office and, in any case, the full postal address, including post code, of the principal place of business of that person and the telephone and facsimile number (if any) of that place;

“charity” means a charity which is registered under section 3 of the Charities Act 1993 and is not an exempt charity within the meaning of that Act;

“major shareholder” means, where a body corporate is a company limited by shares, any person holding one tenth or more of the issued shares in that company and, in any other case, all the owners of that body;

“recognised body” has the same meaning as in section 1(7) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 ;

“relevant particulars” means the full postal address, including post code, and number of current lettings of or within that residential property and, if that property includes two or more dwellings, that address and the number of such lettings for each such dwelling;

“residential property” includes any premises, situate within the United Kingdom—used or which has, within the last six months, been used; orwhich may be used or is adapted for use,as residential accommodation,

and other expressions used in this regulation and also in the Companies Act 1985 shall have the same meaning in this regulation as they have in that Act.

Manner of supply of information

120

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the relevant information shall be supplied—

(a) in typewritten or printed form; or

(b) with the written agreement of the requirer, in electronic or handwritten form,

within a period of 4 weeks commencing on the date on which the notice was sent or given.

(2) Where—

(a) within a period of 4 weeks commencing on the date on which the notice was sent or given, the supplier requests that the time for the supply of the relevant information be extended; and

(b) the requirer provides written agreement to that request,

the time for the supply of the relevant information shall be extended to a period of 8 weeks commencing on the date on which the notice was sent or given.

Criminal offence

121

Any supplier who fails to supply relevant information to the requirer as, when and how required under regulations 117 to 120 shall be guilty of an offence under section 113 of the Administration Act.

PART15 — Former pathfinder authorities

Modifications in respect of pathfinder authorities

122

(1) In this regulation and in Schedule 10, “former pathfinder authority” means a relevant authority specified in Part 1 of that Schedule.

(2) The provisions of Part 2 of Schedule 10 apply in relation to the area of a former pathfinder authority.

SCHEDULE 1 — Ineligible service charges

PART 1 — Service charges other than for fuel

Ineligible service charges

1

The following service charges shall not be eligible to be met by housing benefit—

(a) charges in respect of day-to-day living expenses including, in particular, all provision of—

(i) subject to paragraph 2 meals (including the preparation of meals or provision of unprepared food);

(ii) laundry (other than the provision of premises or equipment to enable a person to do his own laundry);

(iii) leisure items such as either sports facilities (except a children’s play area), or television rental, licence and subscription fees (except radio relay charges and charges made in respect of the conveyance and installation and maintenance of equipment for the conveyance of a television broadcasting service);

(iv) cleaning of rooms and windows except cleaning of—

(aa) communal areas; or

(bb) the exterior of any windows where neither the claimant nor any member of his household is able to clean them himself,

where a payment is not made in respect of such cleaning by a local authority (including, in relation to England, a county council) or the Welsh Ministers to the claimant or his partner, or to another person on their behalf; and

(v) transport;

(b) charges in respect of—

(i) the acquisition of furniture or household equipment; and

(ii) the use of such furniture or equipment where that furniture or household equipment will become the property of the claimant by virtue of an agreement with the landlord;

(d) charges in respect of medical expenses (including the cost of treatment or counselling related to mental disorder, mental handicap, physical disablement or past or present alcohol or drug dependence);

(e) charges in respect of the provision of nursing care or personal care (including assistance at meal-times or with personal appearance or hygiene);

(f) charges in respect of general counselling or of any other support services, whoever provides those services;

(g) charges in respect of any services not specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (f) which are not connected with the provision of adequate accommodation.

Amount ineligible for meals

2

(1) Where a charge for meals is ineligible to be met by housing benefit under paragraph 1, the amount ineligible in respect of each week shall be the amount specified in the following provisions of this paragraph.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), where the charge includes provision for at least three meals a day, the amount shall be—

(a) for a single claimant, £37.30;

(b) if the claimant is a member of a family—

(i) for the claimant and for each member of his family aged 16 or over, £37.30;

(ii) for each member of his family under age 16, £18.95.

(3) Except where sub-paragraph (5) applies and subject to sub-paragraph (4), where the charge includes provision for less than three meals a day, the amount shall be—

(a) for a single claimant, £24.90;

(b) if the claimant is a member of a family—

(i) for the claimant and for each member of his family aged 16 or over, £24.90;

(ii) for each member of his family under age 16, £12.45.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2)(b) and (3)(b), a person attains the age of 16 on the first Monday in September following his 16th birthday.

(5) Where the charge for meals includes the provision of breakfast only, the amount for the claimant and, if he is a member of a family, for the claimant and for each member of his family, shall be £4.50.

(6) Where a charge for meals includes provision for meals for a person who is not a member of the claimant's family sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) shall apply as if that person were a member of the claimant's family.

(7) For the avoidance of doubt where the charge does not include provision for meals for a claimant or, as the case may be, a member of his family, sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) shall not apply in respect of that person.

Amount of ineligible charges

3

(1) Subject to paragraph 2 where an ineligible service charge is not separated from or separately identified within other payments made by the occupier in respect of the dwelling, the appropriate authority shall apportion such charge as is fairly attributable to the provision of that service, having regard to the cost of comparable services and such portion of those payments shall be ineligible to be met by housing benefit.

(2) Subject to paragraph 2, where the relevant authority considers that the amount of any ineligible service charge which is separately identified within other payments made by the occupier in respect of the dwelling is unreasonably low having regard to the service provided, it shall substitute a sum for the charge in question which it considers represents the value of the services concerned and the amount so substituted shall be ineligible to be met by housing benefit.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) the expression “ineligible service charge” includes any service charge which does not qualify as a periodical payment under regulation 12(1)(e) (rent).

(4) In any other case, the whole amount of the ineligible service charge shall be ineligible to be met by housing benefit.

Excessive service costs

4

Subject to paragraph 2, where the relevant authority considers that the amount of a service charge to which regulation 12(1)(e) (rent) applies is excessive in relation to the service provided for the claimant or his family, having regard to the cost of comparable services, it shall make a deduction from that charge of the excess and the amount so deducted shall be ineligible to be met by housing benefit.

PART 2 — Payments in respect of fuel charges

5

A service charge for fuel except a charge in respect of services for communal areas shall be ineligible to be met by housing benefit.

6

(1) Where a charge is ineligible to be met by housing benefit under paragraph 5—

(a) in the calculation of entitlement to a rent rebate; or

(b) in the calculation of entitlement to a rent allowance if the amount of the charge is specified or is otherwise readily identifiable (except where the amount of the charge is unrealistically low in relation to the fuel provided or the charge cannot readily be distinguished from a charge for a communal area),

the amount ineligible to be met by housing benefit shall be the full amount of the service charge.

(2) In any other case, subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) and paragraph 7, the amount ineligible to be met by housing benefit shall be the following amounts in respect of each week—

(a) for heating (other than hot water) £35.25;

(b) for hot water £4.10;

(d) for cooking £4.10.

(3) Where the accommodation occupied by the claimant or, if he is a member of a family, by the claimant and the members of his family, consists of one room only, the amount ineligible to be met by housing benefit in respect of each week where heating only is, or heating and either hot water or lighting (or both) are, provided, shall be one-half of the aggregate of the amounts specified in sub-paragraphs (2)(a), (b) and (c).

(4) In a case to which sub-paragraph (2) or (3) applies, if a claimant provides evidence on which the actual or approximate amount of the service charge for fuel may be estimated, the amount ineligible to be met by housing benefit under this paragraph shall be that estimated amount.

7

(1) Where rent is payable other than weekly, any amount ineligible to be met by housing benefit which is specified in this Schedule as a weekly amount shall—

(a) where rent is payable in multiples of a week, be multiplied by the number equal to the number of weeks in respect of which it is payable; or

(b) in any other case, be divided by 7 and multiplied by the number of days in the period to be used by the relevant authority for the purpose of calculating the claimant's weekly eligible rent under regulation 80 (calculation of weekly amounts).

(2) In a case to which regulation 81 applies (rent free periods), any amount ineligible to be met by housing benefit which is specified in this Schedule as a weekly amount shall, where appropriate, be converted in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) and shall—

(a) where rent is payable weekly, or in multiples of a week, be multiplied by 52 or 53, whichever is appropriate, and divided by the number equal to the number of weeks in that 52 or 53 week period in respect of which he is liable to pay rent; or

(b) in any other case, be multiplied by 365 or 366, whichever is appropriate, and divided by the number of days in that 365 or 366 day period in respect of which he is liable to pay rent.

8

In this Schedule—

communal areas mean areas (other than rooms) of common access (including halls and passageways) and rooms of common use in sheltered accommodation;

“fuel” includes gas and electricity and a reference to a charge for fuel includes a charge for fuel which includes an amount in respect of the facility of providing it other than a specified amount for the provision of a heating system.

SCHEDULE 2 — Excluded tenancies

1

An excluded tenancy is any tenancy to which any of the following paragraphs applies.

2

(1) Subject to the following sub-paragraphs, where a rent officer has made a determination, which relates to the tenancy in question or any other tenancy of the same dwelling this paragraph applies to—

(a) the tenancy in respect of which that determination was made; and

(b) any other tenancy of the same dwelling on terms which are substantially the same, other than the term relating to the amount of rent, as those terms were at the time of that determination or, if earlier, at the end of the tenancy.

(2) For the purposes of any claim, notification, request or application under regulation 14(1) (“the later application”), a tenancy shall not be an excluded tenancy by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) by reference to a rent officer's determination made in consequence of an earlier claim, notification, request or application (“the earlier application”) where—

(a) the earlier and later applications were made in respect of the same claimant or different claimants; and

(b) the earlier application was made more than 52 weeks before the later application was made.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply where subsequent to the making of the determination mentioned in that sub-paragraph—

(a) the number of occupiers of the dwelling has changed and that dwelling is not in a hostel;

(b) there has been a substantial change in the condition of the dwelling (including the making of improvements) or the terms of the tenancy other than a term relating to rent;

(c) there has been a rent increase under a term of the tenancy and the term under which that increase was made was either included in the tenancy at the time when the application for that determination was made (or was a term substantially the same as such a term) and that determination was not made under paragraph 1(2), 2(2) or 3(3) of Schedule 1 to the Rent Officers Order;

(d) in a case where the rent officer has made a determination under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 1 to the Rent Officers Order (size and rent determinations), but since the date of the application for that determination—

(i) a child, who is a member of the household occupying the dwelling, has attained the age of 10 years; or

(ii) a young person, who is a member of the household occupying that dwelling, has attained the age of 16 years; or

(iii) there is a change in the composition of the household occupying the dwelling;

(e) the claimant is a young individual, except in a case where the determination mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) was, or was made in conjunction with, a determination of a single room rent pursuant to paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the Rent Officers Order on or after 2nd July 2001.

(f) any person mentioned in paragraph 1A(a) of Schedule 2 to the Rent Officers Order becomes or ceases to be a person who requires overnight care where that affects the size criteria, as set out in that Schedule to that Order, applicable in the claimant’s case;

(g) the claimant or the claimant’s partner becomes, or ceases to be, a qualifying parent or carer where that affects the size criteria, as set out in Schedule 2 to the Rent Officers Order, applicable in the claimant’s case.

(h) an occupier becomes or ceases to be a child who cannot share a bedroom or a member of a couple who cannot share a bedroom where that affects the size criteria, as set out in Schedule 2 to the Rent Officers Order, applicable in the claimant’s case.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(d)(iii) it does not amount to a change in the composition of the household where a son, daughter, step-son or step-daughter of the claimant or the claimant’s partner who is the claimant’s non-dependant ceases to occupy the dwelling as their home because they become a member of the armed forces away on operations, or subsequently resumes occupying the dwelling as their home on ceasing to be a member of the armed forces away on operations.

3

(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (1A) and (2), this paragraph applies where the landlord is—

(a) a registered housing association;

(b) a county council, with regard to gypsies’ and travellers’ caravan or mobile home sites and caravans or mobile homes provided on those sites; or

(c) a housing authority, with regard to caravan or mobile home sites or houseboat moorings, payments in respect of which are to take the form of a rent allowance in accordance with regulation 91A(3).

(1A) In relation to a profit-making registered provider of social housing, sub-paragraph (1)(a) only applies to its social housing (within the meaning of sections 68 to 77 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008).

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply where the local authority considers that—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) the rent payable for that dwelling is unreasonably high.

(3) Where the circumstances set out in head ... (b) of sub-paragraph (2) exist, the authority must state this in their application for a determination.

(4) In this Schedule “gypsies and travellers” means—

(a) persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in a caravan; and

(b) all other persons of a nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin, including—

(i) such persons who, on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependant’s educational or health needs or old age, have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently; and

(ii) members of an organised group of travelling show people or circus people (whether or not travelling together as such).

4

This paragraph applies to a tenancy entered into before—

(a) in Scotland, 2nd January 1989; and

(b) in any other case, 15th January 1989.

5

This paragraph applies to a regulated tenancy within the meaning of—

(a) in Scotland, the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 ; and

(b) in any other case, the Rent Act 1977 .

6

This paragraph applies to a housing association tenancy which—

(a) in Scotland, is a tenancy to which Part 6 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 applies; and

(b) in any other case, is a housing association tenancy to which Part 6 of the Rent Act 1977 applies.

7

This paragraph applies to a protected occupancy or statutory tenancy within the meaning of the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 .

8

This paragraph applies to a tenancy at a low rent within the meaning of Part 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 or Schedule 10 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 .

9

This paragraph applies to a tenancy of any dwelling which is a bail hostel or probation hostel approved by the Secretary of State under section 13 of the Offender Management Act 2007.

10

This paragraph applies to a tenancy of a housing action trust established under Part 3 of the Housing Act 1988 .

11

(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) this paragraph applies to a tenancy—

(a) in respect of a dwelling comprised in land which has been disposed of under section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 or section 12 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 ;

(b) in respect of a dwelling comprised in land which has been disposed of with the consent required by section 43 of the Housing Act 1985 or section 12 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987;

(c) in respect of which the fee simple estate has been acquired, under the right conferred by Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996 , otherwise than from a housing action trust within the meaning of Part 3 of the Housing Act 1988, or in respect of which the house has been acquired under the right conferred by Part 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988; or

(d) in respect of a dwelling disposed of under the New Towns (Transfer of Housing Stock) Regulations 1990 to a person who is an approved person for the purposes of disposal under those Regulations or in respect of a dwelling disposed of pursuant to powers contained in the New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 to a housing association.

(2) This paragraph shall not apply to a tenancy to which sub-paragraph (1) refers if—

(a) there has been an increase in rent since the disposal or acquisition, as the case may be, occurred; and

(b) the local authority stated in the application for determination that—

(i) the claimant occupies a dwelling larger than is reasonably required by him and any others who occupy that dwelling (including any non-dependant of his and any person paying rent to him); or

(ii) the rent payable for that dwelling is unreasonably high.

(3) Where the disposal or acquisition, as the case may be, took place on or after 7th October 2002, sub-paragraph (2)(b) shall apply to a tenancy to which sub-paragraph (1) refers as if head (i) were omitted.

12

In this Schedule, “rent” shall be construed in accordance with paragraph (10) of regulation 14 (interpretation of “tenancy” and other expressions appropriate to a tenancy) and, subject to that paragraph, has the same meaning—

(a) in Scotland, as in section 25 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 , except that the reference to the house in subsection (3) shall be construed as a reference to the dwelling;

(b) in any other case, as in section 14 of the Housing Act 1988 , except that the reference to the dwelling-house in subsection (4) shall be construed as a reference to the dwelling,

and—

(i) other expressions have the same meanings as in regulation 14(10);

(ii) in the case of a determination by a rent officer pursuant to a request for such a determination under regulation 14(1)(e), any reference to a “tenancy” shall be taken as a reference to a prospective tenancy and any reference to an “occupier” or any person “occupying” a dwelling shall, in the case of such a determination, be taken to be a reference to a potential occupier or potential occupation of that dwelling.

SCHEDULE 3 — Applicable amounts

PART 1 — Personal allowances

1

The amounts specified in column (2) below in respect of each person or couple specified in column (1) shall be the amounts specified for the purposes of regulations 22(1)(a) and 23(1)(a) and (b)—

2

(1) The amount specified in column (2) below in respect of each person specified in column (1) shall, for the relevant period specified in column (1), be the amounts specified for the purposes of regulations 22(1)(b) and 23(1)(c)—

Column (1)	Column (2)
Child or young person	Amount
Persons in respect of the period—
abeginning on that person's date of birth and ending on the day preceding the first Monday in September following that person's sixteenth birthday;	a£87.88;
bbeginning on the first Monday in September following that person's sixteenth birthday and ending on the day preceding that person's twentieth birthday.	b£87.88.

(2) In column (1) of the table in paragraph (1), “the first Monday in September” means the Monday which first occurs in the month of September in any year.

PART 2 — Family premium

3

(1) ...The amount for the purposes of regulations 22(c) and 23(d) in respect of a family of which at least one member is a child or young person shall be—

(a) where the claimant is a lone parent to whom sub-paragraph (3) applies, £22.20;

(b) in any other case, £20.22.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The amount in sub-paragraph (1)(a) shall be applicable to a lone parent—

(a) who was entitled to housing benefit on 5th April 1998 and whose applicable amount on that date included the amount applicable under sub-paragraph (1)(a) as in force on that date; or

(b) who was not entitled to housing benefit on 5th April 1998 because that date fell during a rent free period as defined in regulation 81(1) (rent free periods) and his applicable amount on that date would have included the amount applicable under sub-paragraph (1)(a) as in force on that date; or

(i) had been treated as entitled to that benefit in accordance with sub-paragraph (5)(a) as at the day before the date of claim for that benefit; and

(ii) was entitled to council tax benefit as at the date of claim for housing benefit,

and in respect of whom, all of the conditions specified in sub-paragraph (4) have continued to apply.

(4) The conditions specified for the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) are that, in respect of the period commencing on 6th April 1998—

(a) the claimant has not ceased to be entitled, or has not ceased to be treated as entitled, to housing benefit;

(b) the claimant has not ceased to be a lone parent;

(c) where the claimant was entitled to income support or to an income-based jobseeker's allowance on 5th April 1998, he has continuously, since that date, been entitled to income support, an income-based jobseeker's allowance or an income-related employment and support allowance or a combination of those benefits;

(d) where the claimant was not entitled to income support or to an income-based jobseeker's allowance on 5th April 1998, he has not become entitled to income support, an income-based jobseeker's allowance or an income-related employment and support allowance; and

(e) a premium under paragraph ... 12 or a component under paragraph 23 or 24 has not become applicable to the claimant.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (3)(c)(i) and (4)(a), a claimant shall be treated as entitled to housing benefit—

(a) during any period where he was not, or had ceased to be, so entitled and throughout that period, he had been awarded council tax benefit and his applicable amount included the amount applicable under paragraph 3(1)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Council Tax Benefit Regulations 2006 (lone parent rate of family premium); or

(b) during any rent free period as defined for the purposes of regulation 81(1).

PART 3 — Premiums

4

Except as provided in paragraph 5, the premiums specified in Part 4 of this Schedule shall, for the purposes of regulations 22(1)(d) and 23(1)(e), be applicable to a claimant who satisfies the condition specified in paragraphs 8 to 17 in respect of that premium.

5

Subject to paragraph 6, where a claimant satisfies the conditions in respect of more than one premium in this Part of this Schedule, only one premium shall be applicable to him and, if they are different amounts, the higher or highest amount shall apply.

6

The following premiums, namely—

(a) a severe disability premium to which paragraph 14 applies;

(b) an enhanced disability premium to which paragraph 15 applies;

(d) a carer premium to which paragraph 17 applies,

may be applicable in addition to any other premium which may apply under this Schedule.

7

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, once a premium is applicable to a claimant under this Part, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of any benefit for—

(a) in the case of a benefit to which the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979 applies, any period during which, apart from the provisions of those Regulations, he would be in receipt of that benefit; ...

(b) any period spent by a person in undertaking a course of training or instruction provided or approved by the Secretary of State under section 2 of the 1973 Act, or by Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise under section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990 or for any period during which he is in receipt of a training allowance and

(c) in the case of carer support payment, any period during which, apart from regulation 16 of the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023, he would be in receipt of that benefit.

(2) For the purposes of the carer premium under paragraph 17, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of carer's allowance by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(a) or carer support payment by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(c) only if and for so long as the person in respect of whose care the allowance or payment has been claimed remains in receipt of attendance allowance , pension age disability payment, the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Act , the care component of Scottish adult disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 6(4) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025 , the care component of child disability payment at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 11(5) of the DACYP Regulations , the daily living component of personal independence payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with section 78(3) of the 2012 Act , the daily living component of adult disability payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with regulation 5 of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 or armed forces independence payment.

Bereavement premium

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pensioner Premium for persons under 75

9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pensioner Premium for persons 75 and over

10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Higher Pensioner Premium

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disability Premium

12

The condition is that—

(a) where the claimant is a single claimant or a lone parent, has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit and the additional condition specified in paragraph 13 is satisfied; or

(b) where the claimant has a partner, either—

(i) the claimant has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit and the additional condition specified in paragraph 13(1)(a) or (b) is satisfied by him; or

(ii) his partner has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit and the additional condition specified in paragraph 13(1)(a) is satisfied by his partner.

Additional Condition for the Higher Pensioner and Disability Premiums

13

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) and paragraph 7, the additional condition referred to in paragraphs 11 and 12 is that either—

(a) the claimant or, as the case may be, his partner—

(i) is in receipt of one or more of the following benefits: attendance allowance , pension age disability payment, disability living allowance , Scottish adult disability living allowance , child disability payment, personal independence payment, adult disability payment, armed forces independence payment, the disability element or the severe disability element of working tax credit as specified in regulation 20(1)(b) and (f) of the Working Tax Credit Regulations, mobility supplement, long-term incapacity benefit under Part 2 of the Act or severe disablement allowance under Part 3 of the Act but, in the case of long-term incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance only where it is paid in respect of him; or

(ii) was in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit under Part 2 of the Act when entitlement to that benefit ceased on account of the payment of a retirement pension under that Act or a state pension under Part 1 of the Pensions Act 2014 and the claimant has since remained continuously entitled to housing benefit and, if the long-term incapacity benefit was payable to his partner, the partner is still a member of the family; or

(iii) ...was in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance but payment of benefit has been suspended in accordance with regulations made under section 113(2) of the Act or otherwise abated as a consequence of the claimant or his partner becoming a patient within the meaning of regulation 28(11)(e) (treatment of child care charges); or

(iiia) was in receipt of personal independence payment that is no longer payable by virtue of regulations made under section 86(1) (hospital in-patients) of the 2012 Act.

(iiib) was in receipt of adult disability payment that is no longer payable by virtue of regulation 28 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Adult Disability Payment) of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022;

(iiic) was in receipt of pension age disability payment that is no longer payable by virtue of regulation 20 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to pension age disability payment) of the Disability Assistance for Older People (Scotland) Regulations 2024;or

(iiid) was in receipt of Scottish adult disability living allowance that is no longer payable by virtue of regulation 23 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Scottish adult disability living allowance) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025; or

(iv) is provided by the Secretary of State with an invalid carriage or other vehicle under section 5(2) of the National Health Service Act 1977 (other services) or, in Scotland by the Scottish Ministers, under section 46 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (provision of services) or receives payments by way of grant from the Secretary of State under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Act of 1977 (additional provisions as to vehicles) or, in Scotland by the Scottish Ministers, under section 46 of the Act of 1978; or

(v) is certified as severely sight impaired or blind by a consultant ophthalmologist; or

(b) the claimant—

(i) is, or is treated as, incapable of work in accordance with the provisions of, and regulations made under, Part 12A of the Act (incapacity for work); and

(ii) has been incapable, or has been treated as incapable, of work for a continuous period of not less than—

(aa) in the case of a claimant who is terminally ill within the meaning of section 30B(4) of the Act , 196 days;

(bb) in any other case, 364 days.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a)(v), a person who has ceased to be certified as severely sight impaired or blind on regaining his eyesight shall nevertheless be treated as severely sight impaired or blind, as the case may be, and as satisfying the additional condition set out in that sub-paragraph for a period of 28 weeks following the date on which he ceased to be so certified

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b), once ... the disability premium is applicable to a claimant by virtue of his satisfying the additional condition specified in that provision, if he then ceases, for a period of 8 weeks or less, to be treated as incapable of work or to be incapable of work he shall, on again becoming so incapable of work, immediately thereafter be treated as satisfying the condition in sub-paragraph (1)(b).

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b), once the disability premium is applicable to a claimant by virtue of his satisfying the additional condition specified in that provision, he shall continue to be treated as satisfying that condition for any period spent by him in undertaking a course of training provided under section 2 of the 1973 Act or for any period during which he is in receipt of a training allowance.

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b), where any two or more periods of incapacity are separated by a break of not more than 56 days, those periods shall be treated as one continuous period.

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph, a reference to a person who is or was in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit includes a person who is or was in receipt of short-term incapacity benefit at a rate equal to the long-term rate by virtue of section 30B(4)(a) of the Act (short-term incapacity benefit for a person who is terminally ill), or who would be or would have been in receipt of short-term incapacity benefit at such a rate but for the fact that the rate of short-term incapacity benefit already payable to him is or was equal to or greater than the long-term rate.

(8) In the case of a claimant who is a welfare to work beneficiary (a person to whom regulation 13A(1) of the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (General) Regulations 1995 applies, and who again becomes incapable of work for the purposes of Part 12A of the Act)—

(a) the reference to a period of 8 weeks in sub-paragraph (3); and

(b) the reference to a period of 56 days in sub-paragraph (6),

shall in each case be treated as a reference to a period of 104 weeks.

(9) The claimant is not entitled to the disability premium if the claimant has, or is treated as having, limited capability for work ...

Severe Disability Premium

14

(1) The condition is that the claimant is a severely disabled person.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), a claimant shall be treated as being a severely disabled person if, and only if—

(a) in the case of a single claimant, a lone parent or a claimant who is treated as having no partner in consequence of sub-paragraph (3)—

(i) he is in receipt of attendance allowance, the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Act , the care component of Scottish adult disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 6(4) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025 , the care component of child disability payment at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 11(5) of the DACYP Regulations , the daily living component of personal independence payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with section 78(3) of the 2012 Act , the daily living component of adult disability payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with regulation 5 of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 or armed forces independence payment; and

(ii) subject to sub-paragraph (4), he has no non-dependants aged 18 or over normally residing with him or with whom he is normally residing; and

(iii) no person is entitled to, and in receipt of, a carer's allowance under section 70 of the Act or carer support payment or has an award of universal credit which includes the carer element in respect of caring for him;

(b) in the case of a claimant who has a partner—

(i) the claimant is in receipt of attendance allowance , pension age disability payment, the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Act , the care component of Scottish adult disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 6(4) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025 , the care component of child disability payment at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 11(5) of the DACYP Regulations , the daily living component of personal independence payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with section 78(3) of the 2012 Act, the daily living component of adult disability payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with regulation 5 of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 or armed forces independence payment; and

(ii) his partner is also in receipt of such an allowance or payment or, if he is a member of a polygamous marriage, all the partners of that marriage are in receipt of such an allowance or payment; and

(iii) subject to sub-paragraph (4), the claimant has no non-dependants aged 18 or over normally residing with him or with whom he is normally residing,

and either a person is entitled to and in receipt of a carer's allowance or carer support payment or has an award of universal credit which includes the carer element in respect of caring for only one of a couple or, in the case of a polygamous marriage, for one or more but not all the partners of the marriage, or as the case may be, no person is entitled to and in receipt of such an allowance or payment or has such an award of universal credit in respect of caring for either member of a couple or any partner of a polygamous marriage.

(3) Where a claimant has a partner who does not satisfy the condition in sub-paragraph (2)(b)(ii), and that partner is severely sight impaired or blind or treated as severely sight impaired or blind within the meaning of paragraph 13(1)(a)(v) and (2), that partner shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) as if he were not a partner of the claimant.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(a)(ii) and (2)(b)(iii) no account shall be taken of—

(a) a person receiving attendance allowance , pension age disability payment, the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Act , the care component of Scottish adult disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 6(4) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025 , the care component of child disability payment at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 11(5) of the DACYP Regulations , the daily living component of personal independence payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with section 78(3) of the 2012 Act , the daily living component of adult disability payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with regulation 5 of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 or armed forces independence payment; or

(b) a person who is severely sight impaired or blind or treated as severely sight impaired or blind within the meaning of paragraph 13(1)(a)(v) and (2).

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(b) a person shall be treated—

(a) as being in receipt of attendance allowance, or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Act, if he would, but for his being a patient for a period exceeding 28 days, be so in receipt;

(b) as being entitled to and in receipt of a carer's allowance or carer support payment or having an award of universal credit which includes the carer element if he would, but for the person for whom he was caring being a patient in hospital for a period exceeding 28 days, be so entitled or have such an award of universal credit and in receipt.

(c) as being in receipt of the daily living component of personal independence payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with section 78 of the 2012 Act, if he would, but for payment ceasing by virtue of regulations made under section 86(1) (hospital in-patients) of the 2012 Act, be so in receipt.

(d) as being in receipt of the daily living component of adult disability payment at the standard or enhanced rate in accordance with regulation 5 of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022, if he would, but for payment ceasing by virtue of regulation 28 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Adult Disability Payment) of those Regulations, be so in receipt;

(e) as being in receipt of pension age disability payment if that person would, but for regulation 20 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to pension age disability payment) of the Disability Assistance for Older People (Scotland) Regulations 2024, be so in receipt.;

(f) as being in receipt of the care component of Scottish adult disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate in accordance with regulation 6(4) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025, if that person would, but for regulation 23 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Scottish adult disability living allowance) of those Regulations, be so in receipt.

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(a)(iii) and (2)(b), no account shall be taken of an award of carer's allowance , carer support payment or universal credit which includes the carer element to the extent that payment of such an award is backdated for a period before the date on which the award is first paid.

(7) In sub-paragraph (2)(a)(iii) and (b), references to a person being in receipt of a carer's allowance or as having an award of universal credit which includes the carer element shall include references to a person who would have been in receipt of that allowance or had such an award of universal credit but for the application of a restriction under section 6B or 7 of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 (loss of benefit provisions).

Enhanced disability premium

15

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the condition is that—

(a) the Secretary of State has decided that the claimant has, or is to be treated as having, limited capability for work-related activity; or

(b) the care component of disability living allowance is, or would, but for a suspension of benefit in accordance with regulations made under section 113(2) of the Act or but for an abatement as a consequence of hospitalisation be payable at the highest rate prescribed under section 72(3) of the Act in respect of—

(i) the claimant; or

(ii) a member of the claimant's family,

who has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit; or

(ba) the care component of child disability payment is payable at the highest rate in accordance with regulation 11(5) of the DACYP Regulations in respect of—

(i) the claimant; or

(ii) a member of the claimant’s family; or

(bb) the care component of Scottish adult disability living allowance is, or would, but for regulation 23 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Scottish adult disability living allowance) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025, be payable at the highest rate in accordance with regulation 6(4) of those Regulations in respect of—

(i) the claimant; or

(ii) a member of the claimant's family,

who has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit; or

(c) the enhanced rate of the daily living component of personal independence payment is payable, or has ceased to be payable by virtue of regulations made under section 86(1) (hospital in-patients) of the 2012 Act, in respect of—

(i) the claimant; or

(ii) a member of the claimant’s family,

who has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit; ...

(ca) the enhanced rate of the daily living component of adult disability payment is payable, or has ceased to be payable by virtue of regulation 28 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Adult Disability Payment) of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 in respect of—

(i) the claimant; or

(ii) a member of the claimant’s family,

who has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit; or

(d) armed forces independence payment is payable in respect of (i) the claimant, or (ii) a member of the claimant’s family, who has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit,

(1A) Where the condition in sub-paragraph (1) ceases to be satisfied because of the death of a child or young person, the condition is that the claimant or partner is entitled to child benefit in respect of that person under section 145A of the Act (entitlement to child benefit after death of child or qualifying young person).

(2) An enhanced disability premium shall not be applicable in respect of The condition is not satisfied if the person to whom sub-paragraph (1) refers is—

(a) a claimant who—

(i) is not a member of a couple or a polygamous marriage; and

(ii) is a patient within the meaning of regulation 28(11)(e) and has been for a period of more than 52 weeks; or

(b) a member of a couple or a polygamous marriage where each member is a patient within the meaning of regulation 28(11)(e) and has been for a period of more than 52 weeks.

Disabled child premium

16

The condition is that a child or young person for whom the claimant or a partner of his is responsible and who is a member of the claimant's household—

(a) is in receipt of disability living allowance or is no longer in receipt of such allowance because he is a patient, provided that the child or young person continues to be a member of the family; or

(aa) is in receipt of child disability payment; or

(ab) is a young person who is in receipt of Scottish adult disability living allowance or who would, but for payment ceasing by virtue of regulation 23 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Scottish adult disability living allowance) of the Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025 be so in receipt, provided that the young person continues to be a member of the family; or

(b) is severely sight impaired or blind or treated as severely sight impaired or blind within the meaning of paragraph 13; or

(c) is a child or young person in respect of whom section 145A of the Act (entitlement to child benefit after death of child or qualifying young person) applies for the purposes of entitlement to child benefit but only for the period prescribed under that section, and in respect of whom a disabled child premium was included in the claimant’s applicable amount immediately before the death of that child or young person, or ceased to be included in the claimant’s applicable amount because of that child or young person’s death; or

(d) is a young person who is in receipt of personal independence payment or who would, but for payment ceasing by virtue of regulations made under section 86(1) (hospital in-patients) of the 2012 Act be so in receipt, provided that the young person continues to be a member of the family; or

(da) is a young person who is in receipt of adult disability payment or who would, but for payment ceasing by virtue of regulation 28 (effect of admission to hospital on ongoing entitlement to Adult Disability Payment) of the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 be so in receipt, provided that the young person continues to be a member of the family; or

(e) is a young person who is in receipt of armed forces independence payment.

Carer premium

17

(1) The condition is that the claimant or his partner is, or both of them are, entitled to a carer's allowance under section 70 of the Act or carer support payment.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), where a carer premium is awarded but—

(a) the person in respect of whose care the carer's allowance or carer support payment has been awarded dies; or

(b) in any other case the person in respect of whom a carer premium has been awarded ceases to be entitled to a carer's allowance or carer support payment,

the condition for the award of the premium shall be treated as satisfied for a period of eight weeks from the relevant date specified in sub-paragraph (3).

(3) The relevant date for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) shall be—

(a) where sub-paragraph (2)(a) applies, the Sunday following the death of the person in respect of whose care a carer's allowance or carer support payment has been awarded or the date of death if the death occurred on a Sunday;

(b) in any other case, the date on which the person who has been entitled to a carer's allowance or carer support payment ceases to be entitled to that allowance or payment.

(4) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), where a person who has been entitled to a carer's allowance or carer support payment ceases to be entitled to that allowance or payment and makes a claim for housing benefit, the condition for the award of the carer premium shall be treated as satisfied for a period of eight weeks from the date on which—

(a) the person in respect of whose care the carer's allowance or carer support payment has been awarded dies;

(b) in any other case, the person who has been entitled to a carer's allowance or carer support payment ceased to be entitled to that allowance or payment.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (4)(a), where the relevant premium has been awarded as a result of the claimant or the claimant’s partner being entitled to carer support payment, and the death occurred on or after 15th March 2026, the references to “eight weeks” are to be read as “12 weeks”.

Persons in receipt of concessionary payments

18

For the purpose of determining whether a premium is applicable to a person under paragraphs 13 to 17, any concessionary payment made to compensate that person for the non-payment of any benefit mentioned in those paragraphs shall be treated as if it were a payment of that benefit.

Person in receipt of benefit

19

For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, a person shall be regarded as being in receipt of any benefit if, and only if, it is paid in respect of him and shall be so regarded only for any period in respect of which that benefit is paid.

PART 4 — Amounts of premiums specified in Part 3

20

(1) Bereavement Premium

SCHEDULE 4 — Sums to be disregarded in the calculation of earnings

1

In the case of a claimant who has been engaged in remunerative work as an employed earner or, had the employment been in Great Britain, would have been so engaged—

(a) where—

(i) the employment has been terminated because of retirement; and

(ii) on retirement he is entitled to a retirement pension under the Act, or is not so entitled solely because of his failure to satisfy the contribution conditions,

any earnings paid or due to be paid in respect of that employment, but only for a period commencing on the day immediately after the date on which the employment was terminated;

(aa) where—

(i) the employment has been terminated because of retirement; and

(ii) on retirement he is entitled to a state pension under Part 1 of the Pensions Act 2014, or is not so entitled solely because he does not have the minimum number of qualifying years,

any earnings paid or due to be paid in respect of that employment, but only for a period commencing on the day immediately after the date the employment was terminated;

(b) where before the first day of entitlement to housing benefit the employment has been terminated otherwise than because of retirement, any earnings paid or due to be paid in respect of that employment except—

(i) any payment of the nature described in—

(aa) regulation 35(1)(e), or

(bb) section 28, 64 or 68 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (guarantee payments, suspension from work on medical or maternity grounds); and

(ii) any award, sum or payment of the nature described in—

(aa) regulation 35(1)(g) or (h), or

(bb) section 34 or 70 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (guarantee payments and suspension from work: complaints to employment tribunals),

including any payment made following the settlement of a complaint to an employment tribunal or of court proceedings;

(i) the employment has not been terminated, but

(ii) the claimant is not engaged in remunerative work,

any earnings paid or due to be paid in respect of that employment except any payment or remuneration of the nature described in r paragraph 1(b)(i) or (ii)(bb) or regulation 35(1)(i) (i) or (j).

2

In the case of a claimant who, before the first day of entitlement to housing benefit—

(a) has been engaged in part-time employment as an employed earner or, where the employment has been outside Great Britain, would have been so engaged had the employment been in Great Britain; and

(b) has ceased to be engaged in that employment, whether or not that employment has been terminated,

any earnings paid or due to be paid in respect of that employment except—

(i) where that employment has been terminated, any payment of the nature described in paragraph 1(b)(i) or (ii)(bb) ;

(ii) where that employment has not been terminated, any payment or remuneration of the nature described in paragraph 1(b)(i) or (ii)(bb) or regulation 35(1)(i) or (j).

3

(1) In a case to which this paragraph applies and paragraph 4 does not apply, £20; but notwithstanding regulation 25 (calculation of income and capital of members of a claimant's family and of a polygamous marriage) if this paragraph applies to a claimant it shall not apply to his partner except where, and to the extent that, the earnings of the claimant which are to be disregarded under this paragraph are less than £20.

(2) This paragraph applies where the claimant's applicable amount includes an amount by way of the disability premium, severe disability premium... or support component under Schedule 3 (applicable amounts) or where the claimant or the claimant’s partner is a member of the work-related activity group.

(3) This paragraph applies where—

(a) the claimant is a member of a couple and his applicable amount includes an amount by way of the disability premium under Schedule 3; and

(b) he or his partner has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit and at least one is engaged in employment.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

In a case where the claimant is a lone parent, £25.

5

(1) In a case to which neither paragraph 3 nor paragraph 4 applies to the claimant, and subject to sub-paragraph (2), where the claimant's applicable amount includes an amount by way of the carer premium under Schedule 3 (applicable amounts), £20 of the earnings of the person who is, or at any time in the preceding eight weeks was, in receipt of carer's allowance or carer support payment or treated in accordance with paragraph 17(2) of that Schedule as being in receipt of carer's allowance or carer support payment.

(2) Where the carer premium is awarded in respect of the claimant and of any partner of his, their earnings shall for the purposes of this paragraph be aggregated, but the amount to be disregarded in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) shall not exceed £20 of the aggregated amount.

6

Where the carer premium is awarded in respect of a claimant who is a member of a couple and whose earnings are less than £20, but is not awarded in respect of the other member of the couple, and that other member is engaged in an employment—

(a) specified in paragraph 8(1), so much of the other member's earnings as would not when aggregated with the amount disregarded under paragraph 5 exceed £20;

(b) other than one specified in paragraph 8(1), so much of the other member's earnings from such other employment up to £10 as would not when aggregated with the amount disregarded under paragraph 5 exceed £20.

7

In a case where paragraphs 3, 5, 6 and 8 do not apply to the claimant and he is one of a couple and a member of that couple is in employment, £10; but, notwithstanding regulation 25 (calculation of income and capital of members of claimant's family and of a polygamous marriage), if this paragraph applies to a claimant it shall not apply to his partner except where, and to the extent that, the earnings of the claimant which are to be disregarded under this paragraph are less than £10.

8

(1) In a case where paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 do not apply to the claimant, £20 of earnings derived from one or more employments as—

(a) a part-time fire-fighter employed by a fire and rescue authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 or by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service established under section 1A of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005;

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) a person engaged part-time in the manning or launching of a life boat;

(e) a member of any territorial or reserve force prescribed in Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001 ;

but, notwithstanding regulation 25 (calculation of income and capital of members of claimant's family and of a polygamous marriage), if this paragraph applies to a claimant it shall not apply to his partner except to the extent specified in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) If the claimant's partner is engaged in employment—

(a) specified in sub-paragraph (1), so much of his earnings as would not in aggregate with the amount of the claimant's earnings disregarded under this paragraph exceed £20;

(b) other than one specified in sub-paragraph (1), so much of his earnings from that employment up to £10 as would not in aggregate with the claimant's earnings disregarded under this paragraph exceed £20.

9

Where the claimant is engaged in one or more employments specified in paragraph 8(1), but his earnings derived from such employments are less than £20 in any week and he is also engaged in any other employment so much of his earnings from that other employment, up to £5 if he is a single claimant, or up to £10 if he has a partner, as would not in aggregate with the amount of his earnings disregarded under paragraph 8 exceed £20.

10

In a case to which none of the paragraphs 3 to 9 applies, £5.

11

Any amount or the balance of any amount which would fall to be disregarded under paragraph 19 or 20 of Schedule 5 had the claimant's income which does not consist of earnings been sufficient to entitle him to the full disregarded thereunder.

12

Where a claimant is on universal credit, income support, an income-based jobseeker's allowance or an income-related employment and support allowance, his earnings.

13

Any earnings derived from employment which are payable in a country outside the United Kingdom for such period during which there is a prohibition against the transfer to the United Kingdom of those earnings.

14

Where a payment of earnings is made in a currency other than Sterling, any banking charge or commission payable in converting that payment into Sterling.

15

Any earnings of a child or young person.

16

In this Schedule “part-time employment” means employment in which the person is engaged on average for less than 16 hours a week.

17

(1) In a case where the claimant is a person who satisfies at least one of the conditions set out in sub-paragraph (2), and his net earnings equal or exceed the total of the amounts set out in sub-paragraph (3), the amount of his earnings that falls to be disregarded under paragraphs 3 to 10A of this Schedule shall be increased by £17.10.

(2) The conditions of this sub-paragraph are that—

(a) the claimant, or if he is a member of a couple, either the claimant or his partner, is a person to whom regulation 20(1)(c) of the Working Tax Credit Regulations applies; or

(b) the claimant—

(i) is, or if he is a member of a couple, at least one member of that couple is aged at least 25 and is engaged in remunerative work for on average not less than 30 hours per week; or

(ii) is a member of a couple and—

(aa) at least one member of that couple, is engaged in remunerative work for on average not less than 16 hours per week; and

(bb) his applicable amount includes a family premium under paragraph 3 of Schedule 3; or

his family includes at least one child or young person;

(iii) is a lone parent who is engaged in remunerative work for on average not less than 16 hours per week; or

(iv) not being a member of a couple, is engaged in remunerative work for on average not less than 16 hours per week and—

(aa) the claimant’s applicable amount includes a disability premium under paragraph 12, or the support component under paragraph 24, of Schedule 3; or

(bb) the claimant is a member of the work-related activity group; or

(v) is a member of a couple and at least one member of that couple is engaged in remunerative work for on average not less than 16 hours per week and that member of the couple—

(aa) satisfies the qualifying conditions for the disability premium under paragraph 12 or the support component under paragraph 24 of Schedule 3; or

(bb) is a member of the work-related activity group; or

(c) the claimant is, or, if he has a partner, one of them is, a person to whom regulation 18(3) of the Working Tax Credit Regulations (eligibility for 50 plus element) applies, or would apply if an application for working tax credit were to be made in his case.

(3) The following are the amounts referred to in sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) the amount to be disregarded from the claimant's earnings under paragraphs 3 to 10A of this Schedule;

(b) the amount of child care charges calculated as deductible under regulation 27(1)(c); and

(4) The provisions of regulation 6 shall apply in determining whether or not a person works for on average not less than 30 hours per week, but as if the reference to 16 hours in paragraph (1) of that regulation were a reference to 30 hours.

SCHEDULE 5 — Sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings

1

Any amount paid by way of tax on income which is to be taken into account under regulation 40 (calculation of income other than earnings).

2

Any payment in respect of any expenses incurred or to be incurred by a claimant who is—

(a) engaged by a charitable or voluntary organisation; or

(b) a volunteer,

if he otherwise derives no remuneration or profit from the employment and is not to be treated as possessing any earnings under regulation 42(9) (notional income).

3

In the case of employment as an employed earner, any payment in respect of expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the employment.

4

Where a claimant is on universal credit, income support, an income-based jobseeker's allowance or an income-related employment and support allowance the whole of his income.

5

Where the claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple for the purposes of the Jobseekers Act and his partner is on an income-based jobseeker's allowance, the whole of the claimant's income.

6

Any disability living allowance, armed forces independence payment or personal independence payment.

7

Any concessionary payment made to compensate for the non-payment of—

(a) any payment specified in paragraph 6 or 9;

(b) income support;

(d) an income-related employment and support allowance.

(e) universal credit

8

Any mobility supplement under article 20 of the Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 2006 (including such a supplement by virtue of any other scheme or order) or under article 25A of the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983 or any payment intended to compensate for the non-payment of such a supplement.

9

Any attendance allowance.

10

Any payment to the claimant as holder of the Victoria Cross or of the George Cross or any analogous payment.

11

(1) Any payment—

(a) by way of an education maintenance allowance made pursuant to—

(i) regulations made under section 518 of the Education Act 1996 (payment of school expenses; grant of scholarships etc.);

(ii) regulations made under section 49 or 73(f) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (power to assist persons to take advantage of educational facilities);

(iii) directions made under section 73ZA of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and paid under section 12(2)(c) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992; ...

(b) corresponding to such an education maintenance allowance, made pursuant to—

(i) section 14 or section 181 of the Education Act 2002 (power of Secretary of State and National Assembly for Wales to give financial assistance for purposes related to education or childcare, and allowances in respect of education or training); or

(ii) regulations made under section 181 of that Act; or

(2) Any payment, other than a payment to which sub-paragraph (1) applies, made pursuant to—

(a) regulations made under section 518 of the Education Act 1996;

(b) regulations made under section 49 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980; or

(c) directions made under section 73ZA of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and paid under section 12(2)(c) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992,

in respect of a course of study attended by a child or a young person or a person who is in receipt of an education maintenance allowance or other payment made pursuant to any provision specified in sub-paragraph (1).

12

Any payment made to the claimant by way of a repayment under regulation 11(2) of the Education (Teacher Student Loans) (Repayment etc) Regulations 2002 .

13

(1) Any payment made pursuant to section 2 of the 1973 Act or section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990 except—

(a) a payment made as a substitute for income support, a jobseeker's allowance, incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance or an employment and support allowance;

(b) a payment of an allowance referred to in section 2(3) of the 1973 Act or section 2(5) of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990;

(c) a payment intended to meet the cost of living expenses which relate to any one or more of the items specified in sub-paragraph (2) whilst a claimant is participating in an education, training or other scheme to help him enhance his employment prospects unless the payment is a Career Development Loan paid pursuant to section 2 of the 1973 Act and the period of education or training or the scheme, which is supported by that loan, has been completed; or

(d) for the purpose only of assessing entitlement to housing benefit in respect of a dwelling other than the one which the claimant normally occupies as his home, a payment made to a person to whom regulation 7(5)(b) (circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home) applies to the extent that the payment is made in respect of the cost of living away from home.

(2) The items specified in this sub-paragraph for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(c) are food, ordinary clothing or footwear, household fuel or rent of the claimant or, where the claimant is a member of a family, any other member of his family, or any council tax or water charges for which that claimant or member is liable.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph, “rent” means eligible rent less any deductions in respect of non-dependants which fall to be made under regulation 74 (non-dependant deductions).

14

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), any of the following payments—

(a) a charitable payment;

(b) a voluntary payment;

(c) a payment (not falling within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) above) from a trust whose funds are derived from a payment made in consequence of any personal injury to the claimant;

(d) a payment under an annuity purchased—

(i) pursuant to any agreement or court order to make payments to the claimant; or

(ii) from funds derived from a payment made,

in consequence of any personal injury to the claimant; or

(e) a payment (not falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d)) received by virtue of any agreement or court order to make payments to the claimant in consequence of any personal injury to the claimant.

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