LHA Unfair - Campaign needed

elasticated17

Hello everyone

I am 24 years old and have been in full time employment since leaving university. On my career path I started earning 12,000 and had worked my way up to 22,000 over the past 3 years. I was made redundant last year but found a new job but the same thing has happened to me again.

I live with another person (unrelated and not partner) in a 2 bed nice flat where I was able to afford the rent, now I am only eligible for £88 a week whereas my rent is 120 a week. Over a month this is a big deficit.

This is due to my age ( i am under 25) that I am only eligable for the lower rate. Does this government think that under 25's all live with their parents and are able to survive on this awful low rate. When I was working I paid the same tax as people over 25 earning the same as me so why when I need help - suddenly I am classed a lower rate citizen.

I really think this is unacceptable - I am trying to find a new job asap but why should I have to borrow from my flatmate to make up rent in the meantime. I am an honest decent person who has worked everyday since I left university!

Can anyone tell me what their thoughts are on this. Surely housing benefit should be tested against your circumstances - not all young people have families to fall back on or a large number of savings!

Thanks

Oldernotwiser

Your LHA rate for an under 25 is based on the fact that, at this age, it's assumed that you're in shared accommodation rather than having your own flat. The fact that your flat share is so expensive for the area isn't really anybody's fault.

If you were to be unemployed for more than a few weeks, the assumption would be that you'd move to a flat with a more manageable rental cost.

lufcgirl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Your LHA rate for an under 25 is based on the fact that, at this age, it's assumed that you're in shared accommodation rather than having your own flat. The fact that your flat share is so expensive for the area isn't really anybody's fault.

If you were to be unemployed for more than a few weeks, the assumption would be that you'd move to a flat with a more manageable rental cost.

How could the OP just move out after a few weeks of unemployment? Wouldn't they have already signed a tenancy agreement for a certain period of time?

Oldernotwiser

lufcgirl wrote: »

How could the OP just move out after a few weeks of unemployment? Wouldn't they have already signed a tenancy agreement for a certain period of time?

I really meant for longer than a few weeks; without knowing whereabouts he is in his tenancy it's difficult to comment on how easy this would be.

DaisyFlower

Instead of moaning. it might be wise to remember you are getting a good part of your rent paid plus money to live on. Some countries dont offer that sort of assistance.

real1314

elasticated17 wrote: »

Hello everyone

I am 24 years old and have been in full time employment since leaving university. On my career path I started earning 12,000 and had worked my way up to 22,000 over the past 3 years. I was made redundant last year but found a new job but the same thing has happened to me again.

I live with another person (unrelated and not partner) in a 2 bed nice flat where I was able to afford the rent, now I am only eligible for £88 a week whereas my rent is 120 a week. Over a month this is a big deficit.

This is due to my age ( i am under 25) that I am only eligable for the lower rate. Does this government think that under 25's all live with their parents and are able to survive on this awful low rate. When I was working I paid the same tax as people over 25 earning the same as me so why when I need help - suddenly I am classed a lower rate citizen.

I really think this is unacceptable - I am trying to find a new job asap but why should I have to borrow from my flatmate to make up rent in the meantime. I am an honest decent person who has worked everyday since I left university!

Can anyone tell me what their thoughts are on this. Surely housing benefit should be tested against your circumstances - not all young people have families to fall back on or a large number of savings!

Thanks

You should be allowed your full rent for the first 13 weeks, assuming you have not claimed HB or LHA in the pervious 52 weeks. This should give you time to look for alternative accomodation.
If you've claimed within the last 52 weeks, you should have been aware of the levels of rent that might be paid and perhaps should have considered this when choosing your property.

cattie

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Instead of moaning. it might be wise to remember you are getting a good part of your rent paid plus money to live on. Some countries dont offer that sort of assistance.

And think of the people with repayment mortgages who are out of work. They may qualify for help with the interest part of their mortgage after a waiting period, but they have to find the whole of the actual repayment part of the mortgage as well as the compulsory buildings insurance on top. There is no help for that at all & lots of people end up losing their home because of this.

It's about time some people who rent realise how lucky they are compared to people struggling to find mortgage repayments out of benefits.

I don't want to sound too unsympathetic, but the whole system of housing costs/benefit isn't fair. As they say, you can't please all of the people all of the time & there are always those worse off than others.

elasticated17

Hi

I could EASILY afford my flat when I was employed - I have a 6 month tenancy agreement - also how can I move?? No one will accept anyone on benefits/unemployed and I will not get a council house as I am single/no children.

I have paid taxes and national insurance so that when the worse happens you get help. Of course there are so many others in similar positions and I feel for them all.

My main point was the fact that I pay as much tax as those over 25 so why should my rates of help be less!! Because I have chosen not to have children now and try and be successful I feel totally discriminated against.

Yes many countries dont offer benefits so we are lucky but its not really the point - this system is not geared towards people like me.

Thanks

elasticated17

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Your LHA rate for an under 25 is based on the fact that, at this age, it's assumed that you're in shared accommodation rather than having your own flat. The fact that your flat share is so expensive for the area isn't really anybody's fault.

If you were to be unemployed for more than a few weeks, the assumption would be that you'd move to a flat with a more manageable rental cost.

2 bedroom flats in the city I live in are all like this - I have to live here because of the type of job I do/did. Like you say its assumed I share and I do because I cant afford to live on my own. But why is it assumed that I would live in a cheaper place. No one lives their lives thinking that they are going to be made redundant - if we all did that no one would buy homes/ have children/ book holidays. I live within my means when I am employed. Maybe these days people do live with the fear of unemployment looming and change houses/plans but my point is that I should be entitled to the same as over 25's based on the amount of tax I have paid/ years spent working.

elasticated17

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Instead of moaning. it might be wise to remember you are getting a good part of your rent paid plus money to live on. Some countries dont offer that sort of assistance.

The cost of living in this country is a lot higher than others. To be honest at the moment I dont care about other countries - this country, the one we were born into is in a mess and not helping the young generation get back on their feet after being knocked is not going to help the future. Its unbelievable that people do not recognise the fact that young people are the future of this country and if we do not believe in ourselves anymore because we are classed as 'different' then we truly are in a sorry state of affairs.

Perr

The reason you get less LHA is because it is based on the rate for a bedsit and not a flat. This is because it is assumed tthis is all under 25s leaving home can afford with or without benefits.