Local Housing Allowance

The easiest way to receive LHA is straight into a bank account. This means that benefit is received on the day that it is due and a standing order or direct debit can be set up to pay the rent.

To arrange for LHA to be paid into a bank account, please contact the Benefits Service or complete the Change of Payments Form

LHA cannot be paid into a Post Office Card Account like some other benefits. You will need to have an account with a high street bank.

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provide a Money Advice Service and they can help tenants by giving advice on:

• Opening bank accounts
• Setting up standing orders
• Making changes to household budgeting
• Rescheduling debts

If someone feels they cannot cope with the process of paying rent to the landlord each month, it may be possible for us to pay LHA directly to the landlord.

A Direct Payments Application Form needs to be completed giving us reasons why you think your LHA should be paid to your landlord. We may need to ask for further evidence.

The council's Safeguards for Tenants and Landlords Policy tells you how we make decisions to pay private landlords.

If we are told that you owe more than eight weeks rent, we will look at paying your LHA directly to the landlord until the amount owing has been cleared. To make this decision we will look at the evidence provided.

There are many reasons why someone cannot manage their money and paying the landlord may only be a short term arrangement. There are a number of local advice agencies who may be able to offer support.

If you are worried about managing your money, ask us if we can help. In special cases we may be able to pay your rent to your landlord.

If you move to a new address or other circumstances change, you should tell us straight away. You may need to make a fresh claim for Local Housing Allowance.

To find out how much Local Housing Allowance you may receive ring 0300 5558100.

The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) for private tenants is worked out according to:

• Who lives with you
• How much money you have coming in
• What savings you have

The number of people who are included in your claim for LHA will be used to work out how many bedrooms you are entitled to. This number will correspond to the category of LHA you will get. We do not count other rooms such as a kitchen or bathroom.

You are allowed one bedroom for:

• Every adult couple (same or opposite sex)
• Any other adult aged 16 or over
• Any two children of the same sex aged under 16
• Any two children under age 10
• Any other child

The landlord can charge whatever rent they feel appropriate, however Housing benefit will still be based on the LHA regardless of what is being charged.

The landlord can charge any rent he/she feels is appropriate. If that amount equals the LHA rate for that size of property then that is fine.

4 weekly in arrears or calendar monthly in arrears.

No it is 8 full weeks rent arrears which could have accrued at anytime.

Because that is the time limit set in legislation. However if a tenant doesn’t make the first payment to the landlord at the due date the landlord should contact us with evidence and we may be able to pay earlier.

You can use the following information as a guide to work out how many bedrooms you are allowed. You are allowed one bedroom for:

• Every adult couple (married or unmarried)
• Any other adult aged 16 or over
• Any two children of the same sex aged fewer than 16
• Any two children aged fewer than 10
• Any other child

The maximum allowance, regardless of who lives in your home, is for four bedrooms.

Different rules may apply if you are under 35 or live in shared accommodation.

Please see the Local Housing Allowance rates above to give you an idea of the amount of rent that might be met by Housing Benefit.

The Local Housing Allowance rates are set in April for the year.

The maximum Housing Benefit you get will be based on the four bedroom rate. You can still look for properties with more than four bedrooms, or other rooms that can be used as bedrooms, with rents that are within the four bedroom rate.

There is information available about the levels of Local Housing Allowance rates that apply based on current rent levels.

Please see the Local Housing Allowance rates above to give you an idea of the amount of rent that might be met by Housing Benefit.

You could:

• Talk to your landlord to see if it might be possible to renegotiate the rent
• Think about whether or not you might be able to afford the difference
• If you have other debts, think about getting some money or debt advice. You might be able to afford your rent if your other debts are reduced. You can get advice from other people such as a Citizens Advice Bureau
• If your tenancy agreement is due to be renewed think about whether or not you are able to look for somewhere cheaper before you agree to a new period.

As a local authority we may be able to help some people with a Discretionary Housing Payment to meet the gap between their benefit entitlement and the rent they pay. The amount of money available for these payments is limited so we have to consider your circumstances carefully. These payments are also for short periods and will not help you to afford your rent on a long term basis.

We will write to you to let you know how much Housing Benefit you are entitled to. You might find it will also help to talk to your landlord.

No. This change applies to all tenants who meet the qualifying conditions. The qualifying conditions are that:

• Overnight care is required and provided
• A spare bedroom is available for the carer
• The carer does not live in the tenant's property

Contact us with this information.

You must already have an extra bedroom in your home available for the carer to use before you get this help. If you are already getting Housing Benefit and meet the conditions for this extra help you will be entitled to it.

The change only applies where the person making the Housing Benefit claim, or their partner, needs overnight care.