Differences between housing benefit and LHA?

Cleosmum

Hi
Ive recently had a change in circs and used entitledto to check how things will look (roughly as they are never spot on) but it uses the LHA allowance figure for my area, and the council have told me that I have to have the old housing benefit as I have a claim started before LHA started. Am I better off on the old housing benefit system, or the LHA? And if LHA is better can I insist the council change me?

I hope that isnt too confusing! The council just keep telling me to disregard LHA so I cant get any info from them at all

daimonde

If you have been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008 the Local Housing Allowance will only apply to you if you:

change address
have a break in your claim

thats from, and more info on LHA is here

as for better off, need some facts n figures for that, including the appropriate LHA rate which you can get here.



Dave.

Toomuchdebt

Yep same here-we would be better off on LHA but would have to stop the old HB claim and have a break of at least 2 weeks-unfortunately that would cost us £375(rent of £750) so can't afford it.

Cleosmum

My LHA is £155.34, let me know what else you need

karenx

income details, children, ages, rent details

mitchaa

I thought LHA was for the private rental market and HB for council/social housing?

If you were living in a secure council/LA housingthen you would have to be mad to give it up for an unsecure private rental as you have no protection in the private market. If the landlord wants you out, you have to pack your bags

Cleosmum

LHA is private rented, HB is for both private rented and social housing. I rent privately