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Weekly Rates

The Government announced in late December 2011 that Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates will be frozen at their April 2012 rate for one year.  The April 2012 LHA rates will be published in late March and claimants will then know what the rate will be for the whole year, without them changing month by month. 

 

When a new claim is made or a claimant changes address, on or after 1 April 2012, housing benefit entitlement will be based on the frozen April 2012 rate.

 

From April 2013, LHA rates will be increased by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each year, in the same way that allowances, benefits and tax credits are increased.

 

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Rent Levels April 2012

Number of bedrooms

Category

Weekly amount

Monthly amount

Shared accommodation

One bedroom

Two bedrooms

Three bedrooms

Four bedrooms

A

B

C

D

E

£74.77

£138.46

£178.85

£219.23

£288.46

£324

£600

£775

£950

£1250

 

The LHA that is used to work out your benefit will depend on how many people are in your household.

Allow one bedroom for*

·         every adult couple (married or unmarried)

·         any other adult aged 16 or over

·         any two children of the same sex aged under 16

·         any two children who are under ten years old

·         any other child (under 16)

 

However, from 1st April 2011, the maximum LHA rate payable for new claims is for the four bedroom rate only.

 

We do not count other rooms such as a living room, kitchen or bathroom.

 

*Single claimants under 35 years old will be entitled to the one bedroom shared accommodation rate.

    

Single claimants over 35 years old and couples with no dependent children will be entitled to the rate for a one-bedroom property, e.g. a one bedroom flat or a studio or other kind of self-contained accommodation, provided they actually rent a property of at least this size.

 

For example, an adult couple with one child would need one bedroom for the couple, and one bedroom for the child. We would use the two room LHA rate to work out their benefit.

 

If you have any questions about Local Housing Allowance contact:

 

Benefits Office on 01992 785503 or email benefits@broxbourne.gov.uk