SSAC launches 11 day consultation

SSAC have launched a short consulation on a ‘narrow, but important’ aspect of the draft Housing Benefit and Universal Credit (Size Criteria) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013.

Relates to the Court of Appeals’ judgment in Burnip in which it was held that the local housing allowance size criteria unlawfully discriminated against children who could not be expected to share a room due to severe disability.

Deadline is 18 October ....

http://ssac.independent.gov.uk/news/press-releases/04-10-13.shtml

I think I will be responding to this.

I think there should be scope to argue that low rate care should also entitle the claimants to an extra bedroom (provided the other conditions are met).

There are no doubt cases where a child doesn’t meet the criteria for a higher award but still disturbs the sleep of a sibling (the dwp even cite such examples in their documentation).

Given the above I cant see why restricting it to middle or high only would mean an end to article 14 discrimination?  can anyone give me a steer on that?