LHA - Advise

Britneys_Firefly

Just discovered this 'benefit', and I am wondering if I am entitled to it.....

I have scoured most of the offical links from here, but cant seem to find how i go about applying for it?.

Is it a case of turning up at my local council customer care centre and asking for a form, which i would then fill out, and send away, or will it be like an 'interview' like process where i have to sit in a non private office declaring everything?....

Im not really 'up' on claiming, having only ever claimed JSA before (and that was a hassle, being told orginally i wasnt entitled to anything, when clearly i was!).

Im suspecting i wont get a 'full' award, as i do work, have no dependants etc. However was wondering if LHA works with 'partical awards' eg £30 a month towards rent etc etc.

Does anybody know the 'critia' needed to claim.

Can anyone help with just general advice, experiences etc?.

Jowo_2

The LHA Direct website will provide guidance on the rate that you are eligible for, depending on household size, age of applicant, etc, in the particular area you are seeking accommodation.

The Entitled To (turn 2 us) website will help you model how much you could actually get.

Your local council website will tell you how to apply for it.

Britneys_Firefly

Jowo wrote: »

The LHA Direct website will provide guidance on the rate that you are eligible for, depending on household size, age of applicant, etc, in the particular area you are seeking accommodation.

The Entitled To (turn 2 us) website will help you model how much you could actually get.

Your local council website will tell you how to apply for it.

Thanks for the info!

I think I know which rate im entitled too, was just wondering if this is a bit like tax credits however and have a 'threshold' line for successful/unsuccessful applicants.

I have checked my local council website, and they appear to have NO information on it, other than a link to the offical LHA site.

honeybea

Hi, LHA is like housing benefit but for privately rented accommodation. You need to phone the Council and ask them to send you a form. The application form asks you about your circumstances and finances. There's no discretion or interview, as you say, it's a mathematical calculation. You can have a partial award. If you're a single person, with no children, no disabilities and not a carer then you have to be on a pretty low income to qualify at all. You can contact a local CAB and ask for a benefits check, otherwise if you want to do it yourself follow Jowo's steps above.
Good luck!

Jowo_2

The Shelter website or Citizens Advice website will explain how LHA works.

Double check the rate - some people under the age of 25 have a big shock when they move into a 1 bed self contained property and find that they are only entitled to a rate less than half that because they are only eligible for the rate as if they were living in a shared property.

The rate you will get will depend on your income and savings, for example. The LHA maximum rate is the upper threshold and the amount an applicant gets depends on things like their income.

The rates are currently based on the median of local property rental prices (50th percentile) so should represent the average cost of a local property but are likely to be cut down to the 30th percentile (lowest third). Read up on the 22 June emergency budget - there are plans to punish the long term unemployed by cutting rates in the future.

Anyone in accommodation whose rent is more than the LHA they receive is expected to pay for this out of their own income. Any tenants who find property that is cheaper than the maximum LHA rate if they get this, can keep up to the first £15 of the difference (being rewarded for their frugality). I imagine this incentive could get withdrawn.

Britneys_Firefly

honeybea wrote: »

Hi, LHA is like housing benefit but for privately rented accommodation. You need to phone the Council and ask them to send you a form. The application form asks you about your circumstances and finances. There's no discretion or interview, as you say, it's a mathematical calculation. You can have a partial award. If you're a single person, with no children, no disabilities and not a carer then you have to be on a pretty low income to qualify at all. You can contact a local CAB and ask for a benefits check, otherwise if you want to do it yourself follow Jowo's steps above.
Good luck!

Thanks for that.

Just followed the benefits checker, and according to it, im entitled to around £40 per month, not alot, but certainly helps me out a wee bit, as that is £40 (that would have been on rent) that can put to bringing the water bill/electricty bill down!.

Just to try and figure out how to get a form from the local council now!

honeybea

Glad I could help! Sometimes, councils have drop-in advice sessions where you can just turn up and get a form or get help with filling one in. Also useful if you'd rather not entrust your originals to Royal Mail, as they'll want to see a lot of documents!

emsywoo123

Are you single, living alone, no dependants, no other benefits and definitely entitled to LHA? My knowledge is limited but I find that surprising

Britneys_Firefly

emsywoo123 wrote: »

Are you single, living alone, no dependants, no other benefits and definitely entitled to LHA? My knowledge is limited but I find that surprising

Yes to all of them questions.

I find it surprising as well, but my job isnt the best paid in the world, all of the figures that the website asked for i got from one of my 'higher' recent payslips (i get paid weekly).

I guess the only way i will know for sure is by applying, whats the worst they can do, say no?!.

DX2

Britneys_Firefly wrote: »

Just to try and figure out how to get a form from the local council now!

You pick up phone and ask them to send one, or you go visit their office.

emsywoo123

Britneys_Firefly wrote: »

Yes to all of them questions.

I find it surprising as well, but my job isnt the best paid in the world, all of the figures that the website asked for i got from one of my 'higher' recent payslips (i get paid weekly).

I guess the only way i will know for sure is by applying, whats the worst they can do, say no?!.

I am truly amazed

Sure you know which room rate you are entitled to? Apologies if I sound patronising, I do not mean to, I am just surprised