Changes to Housing Benefit

What if I am under 35 years old?

From January 2012 the Government is planning to change the rules that apply to most single people aged between 25 and 35, who do not have children and live in self-contained accommodation.

The change means that, instead of the current one bedroom Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate, you would move onto the LHA rate for shared accommodation, which may be much lower.

If you make a new claim for Housing Benefit after January 2012 these changes will affect you straight away. If you are already on benefit they will take effect on the anniversary of your claim or, if you have qualified for 9 month protection, when that runs out.

As LHA rates can change each month we cannot advise people in advance how much their benefit will change. Details of current LHA rates our available on the Valuation Office web site

Changes From April 2011

From the 1st April the rules for Housing and Council Tax benefit changed, these changes are listed below:

The £15 weekly Housing Benefit excess that some customers can receive under the Local Housing Allowance arrangements ended.
The removal of the five bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate so that the maximum level is for a four bedroom property
A reduction in all Local Housing Allowance rates so that about 3 in 10 properties for rent in the area should be affordable to people on Housing Benefit rather than every 5 in 10 properties as now. Although if you are an existing customer, you may receive nine months at your current Local Housing Allownace rates.
People who need a carer to look after them overnight, will be allowed an extra room when we calculate the Housing Benefit.

From April 2011 the deductions from Housing and Council Tax Benefit for non dependants increased. These rates have been frozen since 2001. Between April 2011 and April 2014 the rates will be restored to the amounts they would have been if they had increase in line with inflation.