Housing Benefit is reduced for some people who are living in a property larger than required for their household size. This applies to working age people renting from a social landlord such as the Borough Council or a housing association. It does not apply to pensioners.

The calculation is that a separate bedroom can be available for each couple or single adult over 16, and then it is assumed two children can share up to age 15 if they are of the same sex and up to age 10 if they are of opposite sexes.

For example:

1. A couple with a boy aged three and a girl aged seven would qualify for a total of two bedrooms (i.e. the children would have to share a room).
2. A lone parent with a boy aged three, a girl aged seven and a boy aged 12 would qualify for a total of three bedrooms.
3. A couple with boys aged five and 13, and girls aged nine and 16 would qualify for a total of four bedrooms.

The rent used to calculate your housing benefit entitlement will be reduced by 14% if there is one spare bedroom and by 25% if there are two.

In Ipswich, the average reduction in housing benefit is £12.07 a week if you have one too many bedrooms and £22.58 a week if you have two or more too many bedrooms.

If you, or your partner, are disabled and need a regular overnight carer who doesn't live at your home, they may be entitled to a bedroom. Complete our Additional Bedroom for Overnight Carers form for more information and use this form to give us details of the caring arrangements.

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Also, you may be able to receive an extra room allowance if you have a disabled person who is unable to share a bedroom as described in the categories above. The disabled person must be in receipt of the care component of Disability Living Allowance at middle or high rate; PIP daily living, at either rate, Attendance Allowance or Armed Forces Independence Payment.
If you think this may apply to someone in your household, please complete the Extra Bedroom form below.

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Anyone wanting information about social housing transfers and moves should go to gatewaytohomechoice.org.uk.

Under Occupation - Frequently Asked Questions