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Local Housing Allowance

 

What is Local Housing Allowance?

From 7 April 2008 the name for housing benefit for people living in the privately rented sector has changed to Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

This will not affect you if you rent a property from Golden Gates Housing, a Registered Social Landlord or Housing Association.

There are no changes to the entitlement rules, LHA will still be based on a person's income and savings.  However LHA is a flat rate allowance based on the size of the household living in a property.

You can find the Local Housing Allowance rates on the website, or in our one stop shop - Contact Warrington.  Alternatively, you can ring 01925 443210 to find out the rate applicable to your household size.

Payment of LHA will normally be directly to the tenant, who will then pay the landlord.

Will it affect me?

If you are already receiving housing benefit then you will not be affected by Local Housing Allowance, until:

  • You change address to a privately rented property (there are some exemptions)
  • You have a break of one week or more in your entitlement to housing benefit
If you make a new claim on or after 7 April 2008 then you will be assessed under Local Housing Allowance.

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How many rooms do I need?

Local Housing Allowance aims to reflect the current market rates for rented properties in our area and is calculated by looking at how many bedrooms a household needs.  The LHA rate that will apply to the tenant will match the number of rooms they need. This does not include bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms.

To calculate the number of rooms needed, you need to count one bedroom for the following people living in your household:

  • a single claimant or every adult couple
  • any other single adult aged 16 or over
  • any two children of the same sex aged under 16
  • any two children under the age of 10
  • any other child

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Are you aged under 25, or living in shared accomodation?

If you are single, under 25 and don't have any children then you will only be entitled to the LHA rate for a room in shared accomodation.

If you are single, or a couple not responsible for children, aged over 25 and you are living in shared accomodation.  Then you will only be entitled to the shared room rate of Local Housing Allowance.

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Payment of Local Housing Allowance

Normally Local Housing Allowance will be paid to the tenant.  This will be paid by BACS in to your bank account.  There are certain circumstances that we are able to pay the landlord, this is known as 'safeguarding'.

We could pay your landlord if you have special circumstances

  • learning difficulties
  • rent arrears problems
  • severe debt problems
  • fleeing domestic violence
  • alchol/drug/gambling addictions

If you think we should pay your landlord because you think these circumstances apply to you, then you should contact us about it. 

You can download the Safeguarding Strategy for further information.

You can download the application form to request payment to be made to your landlord.

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Bank accounts

As Local Housing Allowance is normally paid to the tenant then you are going to need a bank account.  If you do not have a bank account, you will need to go to a high street bank and open a basic bank account.

You can find out more about this by:



Last updated 18/02/2010 11:59:04


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