To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the under occupancy charge will be removed in the event that a previously unoccupied room is occupied by Ukrainian refugees hosted under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Answered on
21 April 2022
Under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme the Ukrainian nationals are treated as not normally residing with their host. This means that there is no change to the number of bedrooms which the claimant is entitled to under the removal of the spare room subsidy or the Local Housing Allowance.
We are grateful to those playing their part in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the invasion and have ensured that the £350 a month ‘thank you’ payment will not affect the benefits payments of claimants who have generously provided a spare room.