Housing benefit clarification please

elljay

Am thinking of applying for housing benefits for the first time and my landlady has also announce that she is thinking of increasing the rent at the end of 2010 (only the second increase in 5 yrs) Can I just clarify that the amount of housing benefit you receive is unrelated to the amount of rent you pay - is that right?

My lha amount is £80.55 a week and according to entitled to.com I would receive in the region of £40 a week combined housing benefits. My rent is £400 a month and the landlady will probably put it up to £450. However I believe I will still receive the £46 a week (or whatever the amount is by then - near enough I assume) and that would not vary despite an increase in rent.

Could someone clarify for me please. If so I need to find another job or another house, both virtually impossible! Ouch! So far I've been scraping by by being really frugal, working in whatever jobs come my way and using savings but now feel the time has come for a bit of help .

Thanks

LJ

Vader123

Yes, you are only entitled to your LHA rate which set by each area and the number of dependants you have.

So if its just you, and over 25 yar old, you get the standard 1 bed rate (id under 25, you get the shared rate).

Vader

Benefits_Bod

I haven't double checked, but from memory I think that your rent increase won't be taken into account for HB purposes under LHA rules (assuming you stay at the same property). I will double check and, if I find the info / have time, I will repost.