Apply for benefits and financial support

The Social Sector Size Criteria, also known as the bedroom tax or the under-occupancy charge, affects working age people in housing association properties who get Housing Benefit.

If you are assessed as having more bedrooms than needed, your Housing Benefit payments will be reduced by:

• 14% if you have 1 bedroom more than your assessed need
• 25% if you have 2 or more bedrooms more than your assessed need

The bedroom tax rules mean that your are allowed one bedroom for:

• a couple
• an adult
• two children of the same sex under 16
• two children under 10
• any other child
• a non-resident carer providing overnight care
• a person who normally lives with you but is deployed on active service

If you are affected by the bedroom tax you may be able to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment.