Work allowances for people in exempt accommodation

If there is no housing costs element included in a UC claim because the claimant is in exempt accommodation (so still covered by HB) does this mean the claimant can benefit from the higher level work allowances?

interesting! That certainly seems to be what the regs say (reg 22)

“if the award contains no amount for the housing costs element, the applicable
amount of the higher work allowance specified in the table below”

Yeah that’s how I read it too - seems to good to be true though.

Not only that, anyone on UC is entitled to full housing benefit irrespective of their other income.

Windfalls such as this are self-limiting: most people in supported accommodation don’t work very much if at all.  Also remember you only have a work allowance if you have children and/or LCW.  Even so, for those who do get over those hurdles it works out nicely.