Claiming LHA for a all inculsive rent rate

narabanekeater

I am trying to help my brother who last week came off of cont based JSA after 6 months last week. He is now in full time employment earning £290 a week which is £237 after tax and NI out of that he pays £60 child support. As you can see money is really tight
He has been staying with us and is now looking to move out:j however cash is very tight. The job centre said he wouldnt get tax credits which I just checked on entitled to but that got difficult to fill in accuratly due to him have being on JSA. I realise the JSA in declarable as income so by my calculations this year he will have earnt JSA 21 weeks on JSA @ £65 = £1365 plus 9238 in working wages
He has found a falt to rent that is £600 per month inc of bills. Can anyone please advice how LHA works when renting inc of bills. I got the rough figure of £41 LHA from entitled to but I dont think thats right
As tax credits work on last years income which for him would be way to high to claim can he apply now for this years income to be taken into account but what then would happen at the start of the next tax year? I wouldnt want him taking on a place he cannot afford.
Many Thanks for your time

Oldernotwiser

What area is he living in and is he over 25?

narabanekeater

Morning Older were in Leics and yes hes way over 25 thanks

Benefits_Bod

One of the quirks of Housing Benefit LHA cases is that if utility bills are included, there is no deduction in respect of those bills from the the eligible rent.

In summary, if the local LHA level is the same as the rent being charged, that is the level that will be used in the assessment of HB - irrespective of whether or not utility bills are included. HB claim forms still tend to ask questions about bills being included because there are occasions where LHA won't apply - just complete the questions as best you can and don't worry too much about it.

Caz3121

...you will first need to get the LHA rate to input into entitledto. He is entitled to the rate for the one bed self contained which is showing as £90.90 for Leicester City (note this will not be the rate used in the calculations if it is shared facilities) Income £290 per week gross and LHA £90.90 shows no help....if it not Leicester City you should be able to find the correct one here https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/LHARateSearch.aspx?SearchType=LA

Oldernotwiser

narabanekeater wrote: »

Morning Older were in Leics and yes hes way over 25 thanks

Caz3121 has beaten me to providing the information you need.