Give sharers, boarders and lodgers their own rent, tenure and LHA category

changelog.d/2005.added.md

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Give joint tenants and other sharers their share of the household's rent, boarders and lodgers their own rent and private tenure, a Housing Benefit LHA category (with its own size criteria and shared-accommodation rule) beside the Universal Credit one, statutory non-dependant exclusions and apportionment, the Housing Benefit meals deduction, and Council Tax Reduction on the council tax divided among jointly liable people.

policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/housing_benefit/ineligible_charges/meals/at_least_three_a_day/aged_16_or_over.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+description: Weekly amount ineligible for meals, at least three meals a day, for the claimant and each family member aged 16 or over.
+values:
+  2008-04-01: 21.60
+  2009-04-01: 22.95
+  2010-04-01: 23.35
+  2011-04-01: 24.05
+  2012-04-01: 25.30
+  2013-04-01: 25.85
+  2014-04-01: 26.55
+  2015-04-01: 26.85
+  2017-04-01: 27.10
+  2019-04-01: 28.55
+  2020-04-01: 29.05
+  2021-04-01: 29.20
+  2022-04-01: 30.10
+  2023-04-01: 33.15
+  2024-04-01: 35.35
+  2025-04-01: 35.95
+  2026-04-01: 37.30
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-GBP
+  period: week
+  label: housing benefit meals deduction, three or more meals a day, aged 16 or over
+  reference:
+    - title: Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(2)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(2)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/214/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/148) art. 23(4)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/148/article/23
+  note: Amounts from 2008 to 2025 are the point-in-time texts of Sch 1 para 2 on legislation.gov.uk, set by each year's up-rating order (S.I. 2008/632, S.I. 2009/497, S.I. 2010/793, S.I. 2011/821, S.I. 2012/780, S.I. 2013/574, S.I. 2014/516, S.I. 2015/457, S.I. 2017/260, S.I. 2019/480, S.I. 2020/234, S.I. 2021/162, S.I. 2022/292, S.I. 2023/316, S.I. 2024/242, S.I. 2025/295, S.I. 2026/148).

policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/housing_benefit/ineligible_charges/meals/at_least_three_a_day/under_16.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+description: Weekly amount ineligible for meals, at least three meals a day, for each family member under 16.
+values:
+  2008-04-01: 10.90
+  2009-04-01: 11.60
+  2010-04-01: 11.80
+  2011-04-01: 12.15
+  2012-04-01: 12.80
+  2013-04-01: 13.10
+  2014-04-01: 13.45
+  2015-04-01: 13.60
+  2017-04-01: 13.75
+  2019-04-01: 14.50
+  2020-04-01: 14.75
+  2021-04-01: 14.80
+  2022-04-01: 15.25
+  2023-04-01: 16.80
+  2024-04-01: 17.95
+  2025-04-01: 18.25
+  2026-04-01: 18.95
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-GBP
+  period: week
+  label: housing benefit meals deduction, three or more meals a day, under 16
+  reference:
+    - title: Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(2)(b)(ii)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(2)(b)(ii)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/214/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/148) art. 23(4)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/148/article/23
+  note: Amounts from 2008 to 2025 are the point-in-time texts of Sch 1 para 2 on legislation.gov.uk, set by each year's up-rating order (S.I. 2008/632, S.I. 2009/497, S.I. 2010/793, S.I. 2011/821, S.I. 2012/780, S.I. 2013/574, S.I. 2014/516, S.I. 2015/457, S.I. 2017/260, S.I. 2019/480, S.I. 2020/234, S.I. 2021/162, S.I. 2022/292, S.I. 2023/316, S.I. 2024/242, S.I. 2025/295, S.I. 2026/148).

policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/housing_benefit/ineligible_charges/meals/breakfast_only.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+description: Weekly amount ineligible for meals, breakfast only, for the claimant and each family member.
+values:
+  2008-04-01: 2.65
+  2009-04-01: 2.80
+  2010-04-01: 2.85
+  2011-04-01: 2.95
+  2012-04-01: 3.10
+  2013-04-01: 3.15
+  2014-04-01: 3.25
+  2015-04-01: 3.30
+  2017-04-01: 3.35
+  2019-04-01: 3.55
+  2020-04-01: 3.60
+  2021-04-01: 3.60
+  2022-04-01: 3.70
+  2023-04-01: 4.05
+  2024-04-01: 4.30
+  2025-04-01: 4.35
+  2026-04-01: 4.50
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-GBP
+  period: week
+  label: housing benefit meals deduction, breakfast only
+  reference:
+    - title: Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(5)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(5)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/214/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/148) art. 23(4)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/148/article/23
+  note: Amounts from 2008 to 2025 are the point-in-time texts of Sch 1 para 2 on legislation.gov.uk, set by each year's up-rating order (S.I. 2008/632, S.I. 2009/497, S.I. 2010/793, S.I. 2011/821, S.I. 2012/780, S.I. 2013/574, S.I. 2014/516, S.I. 2015/457, S.I. 2017/260, S.I. 2019/480, S.I. 2020/234, S.I. 2021/162, S.I. 2022/292, S.I. 2023/316, S.I. 2024/242, S.I. 2025/295, S.I. 2026/148).

policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/housing_benefit/ineligible_charges/meals/fewer_than_three_a_day/aged_16_or_over.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+description: Weekly amount ineligible for meals, fewer than three meals a day, for the claimant and each family member aged 16 or over.
+values:
+  2008-04-01: 14.35
+  2009-04-01: 15.25
+  2010-04-01: 15.50
+  2011-04-01: 16.00
+  2012-04-01: 16.85
+  2013-04-01: 17.20
+  2014-04-01: 17.65
+  2015-04-01: 17.85
+  2017-04-01: 18.05
+  2019-04-01: 19.05
+  2020-04-01: 19.35
+  2021-04-01: 19.45
+  2022-04-01: 20.05
+  2023-04-01: 22.10
+  2024-04-01: 23.60
+  2025-04-01: 24.00
+  2026-04-01: 24.90
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-GBP
+  period: week
+  label: housing benefit meals deduction, fewer than three meals a day, aged 16 or over
+  reference:
+    - title: Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(3)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(3)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/214/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/148) art. 23(4)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/148/article/23
+  note: Amounts from 2008 to 2025 are the point-in-time texts of Sch 1 para 2 on legislation.gov.uk, set by each year's up-rating order (S.I. 2008/632, S.I. 2009/497, S.I. 2010/793, S.I. 2011/821, S.I. 2012/780, S.I. 2013/574, S.I. 2014/516, S.I. 2015/457, S.I. 2017/260, S.I. 2019/480, S.I. 2020/234, S.I. 2021/162, S.I. 2022/292, S.I. 2023/316, S.I. 2024/242, S.I. 2025/295, S.I. 2026/148).

policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/housing_benefit/ineligible_charges/meals/fewer_than_three_a_day/under_16.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+description: Weekly amount ineligible for meals, fewer than three meals a day, for each family member under 16.
+values:
+  2008-04-01: 7.20
+  2009-04-01: 7.65
+  2010-04-01: 7.80
+  2011-04-01: 8.05
+  2012-04-01: 8.45
+  2013-04-01: 8.65
+  2014-04-01: 8.90
+  2015-04-01: 9.00
+  2017-04-01: 9.10
+  2019-04-01: 9.55
+  2020-04-01: 9.70
+  2021-04-01: 9.75
+  2022-04-01: 10.05
+  2023-04-01: 11.05
+  2024-04-01: 11.80
+  2025-04-01: 12.00
+  2026-04-01: 12.45
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-GBP
+  period: week
+  label: housing benefit meals deduction, fewer than three meals a day, under 16
+  reference:
+    - title: Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(3)(b)(ii)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 Sch 1 para 2(3)(b)(ii)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/214/schedule/1/paragraph/2
+    - title: Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/148) art. 23(4)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/148/article/23
+  note: Amounts from 2008 to 2025 are the point-in-time texts of Sch 1 para 2 on legislation.gov.uk, set by each year's up-rating order (S.I. 2008/632, S.I. 2009/497, S.I. 2010/793, S.I. 2011/821, S.I. 2012/780, S.I. 2013/574, S.I. 2014/516, S.I. 2015/457, S.I. 2017/260, S.I. 2019/480, S.I. 2020/234, S.I. 2021/162, S.I. 2022/292, S.I. 2023/316, S.I. 2024/242, S.I. 2025/295, S.I. 2026/148).

policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/housing_benefit/severe_disability_premium/qualifying_benefits.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+description: Benefits whose receipt meets the qualifying-benefit condition of the Housing Benefit severe disability premium.
+values:
+  2013-04-08:
+    - attendance_allowance
+    - dla_sc_middle_plus
+    - pip_dl
+    - armed_forces_independence_payment
+metadata:
+  unit: list
+  label: housing benefit severe disability premium qualifying benefits
+  reference:
+    - title: Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 Sch 3 para 14(2)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/schedule/3/paragraph/14
+    - title: Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations 2006 Sch 3 para 6
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/214/schedule/3/paragraph/6
+  note: The Scottish benefits in the same list (adult disability payment, pension age disability payment, child disability payment and Scottish adult disability living allowance care components) have no separate variables in the model.

policyengine_uk/tests/policy/baseline/finance/benefit/family/LHA_claimant_composition.yaml

@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@
     # couple room = 1: B under the existing bedroom calculation.
     LHA_category: B
 
-- name: A 17-year-old claimant in another benefit unit blocks the shared rate
+- name: A 17-year-old in another family is a non-dependant of the household head only
   period: 2025
   input:
     people:
@@ -134,13 +134,16 @@
       home:
         members: [renter, apprentice]
   output:
-    lha_renter_has_non_dependant: [true, true]
-    is_lha_shared_accommodation_rate_specified_renter: [false, false]
-    # Other unit's claimant blocks A; 1 + 1 occupant aged 16+ outside = 2: C.
-    # Renter previously A because the other claimant was under 18.
-    LHA_category: [C, C]
+    lha_renter_has_non_dependant: [true, false]
+    is_lha_shared_accommodation_rate_specified_renter: [false, true]
+    # The renter (the household head, the elder) has the apprentice as a
+    # non-dependant: 1 + 1 non-dependant aged 16+ = 2: C. Only the household
+    # head's family has non-dependants from other families (UC Sch 4 para
+    # 9(2)(e)-(f)), so the apprentice's own family has none: single, 17 < 35,
+    # no dependants: A.
+    LHA_category: [C, A]
 
-- name: A 17-year-old student claimant in another unit also blocks the shared rate
+- name: A 17-year-old student in another family is also the household head's non-dependant
   period: 2025
   input:
     people:
@@ -158,12 +161,13 @@
       home:
         members: [renter, student_claimant]
   output:
-    lha_renter_has_non_dependant: [true, true]
-    # Other claimant blocks A even if their age/education meets the QYP test.
-    # 1 + 1 occupant aged 16+ outside = 2: C (renter previously A).
-    LHA_category: [C, C]
+    lha_renter_has_non_dependant: [true, false]
+    # The other family's claimant is the household head's non-dependant even
+    # if their age and education meet the QYP test: 1 + 1 = 2: C. The
+    # student's own family has no non-dependant: A.
+    LHA_category: [C, A]
 
-- name: Rent liability of another benefit unit does not exempt its claimant
+- name: A family liable for rent is not a non-dependant
   period: 2025
   input:
     people:
@@ -183,9 +187,12 @@
         members: [renter, other_renter]
   output:
     eldest_claimant_or_partner_age: [30, 40]
-    lha_renter_has_non_dependant: [true, true]
-    # Conservative proxy retained: 1 + 1 occupant aged 16+ outside = 2: C.
-    LHA_category: [C, C]
+    lha_renter_has_non_dependant: [false, false]
+    # A person liable on a commercial basis for their occupation is not a
+    # non-dependant (UC Sch 4 para 9(2)(d)), so neither family adds a bedroom
+    # to the other. Renter: single, 30 < 35, no non-dependant: A. Household
+    # head (40): 1 bedroom: B.
+    LHA_category: [A, B]
 
 - name: Occupants in a different household do not block the shared rate
   period: 2025
@@ -211,15 +218,19 @@
     # Other renter 40 >= 35; 1 bedroom: B.
     LHA_category: [A, B]
 
-- name: Actual shared accommodation retains its separate route to category A
+- name: Actual shared accommodation gives the shared rate for Housing Benefit only
   period: 2025
   input:
     age: 40
     is_shared_accommodation: true
   output:
     is_lha_shared_accommodation_rate_specified_renter: false
-    # 40 >= 35, but actual shared accommodation independently gives A.
-    LHA_category: A
+    # Universal Credit sets the category by entitlement alone (UC Sch 4 para
+    # 25(2)(b)): 40 >= 35 and 1 bedroom: B, whether or not the accommodation
+    # is shared. Housing Benefit gives the shared rate to a claimant entitled
+    # to one bedroom who lacks exclusive use (HB Regs 2006 reg 13D(2)(a)(ii)).
+    LHA_category: B
+    housing_benefit_LHA_category: A
 
 - name: A disabled 17-year-old renter is excepted from the shared accommodation rate
   # UC Sch 4 para 29(5)(c): a renter under 35 receiving the PIP daily living

policyengine_uk/tests/policy/baseline/finance/benefit/family/housing_benefit/entitlement/housing_benefit_lha_order.yaml

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
         # The model's 2026 rate for this household (default BRMA, Maidstone,
         # one-bedroom category) is also 9,467.64; it is an input here so the
         # test pins the order of the cap and the taper, not the LHA table.
-        BRMA_LHA_rate: 9_467.64
+        housing_benefit_LHA_rate: 9_467.64
         # Inputs, so the earnings disregard and the pension-age allowance
         # cannot move the taper. The applicable income input overrides the
         # income computed from state_pension_reported, which only keeps