Housing Benefit guide Discussion Area

Former_MSE_Alana

This thread is to specifically discuss the content of the

Housing Benefit Article

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ragz_2

Excellent article, the link to the HBUpdate website was very helpful, I have now calculated that I will be £60 a month worse off after the cuts. Could be worse! I recommend everyone gets their paperwork out now and works out what they'll get as it's better to be prepared!

pandaspot

I dont think it says it in the article but there will be 9 months transitional protection. So if you have a change in may 2011 you will remain on your previous lha rate for 9 months but after this you will be put on to the lower amount of lha

karendb

Just wanted to point out that if you are looking on Rightmove etc. for a property to rent, you will need the full postcode for a property before you can calculate the Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

I've noticed when looking myself that some houses appear to fall within a particular district council's area but actually they fall within the neighbouring district council.

It can make a significant difference as to how much LHA is paid and also the amount of council tax.

mrsspendalot

Is there a more detailed list of what will constitute a change of circumstances, which might then trigger the calculation to be under new rules? It just says 'change of address' and 'change in household' on the article link.

I'm expecting a baby in July, and will be on maternity pay, but my tax credits will also change - so I'll have a change in income. The arrival of another baby will not impact on the number of bedrooms I'm entitled to - that will stay as 3. The change will be £11 per week between the maximum level and new level of LHA in my area, so not hugely drastic, but I like to be prepared with my budget!

pandaspot

A change in circs where the lha would be changed is a break in your current claim. If you change income then that would not alter the lha amount, even if a person was to get an extended payment then this would not alter the lha rate.

The only time a change of circs would alter your lha is if your address changed or your bedrooms changed.

Remember that everyone has an anniversary date, so your lha gets reviewed on an annual basis. But again you will have 9 months transitional protection until the change comes into affect.

mrsspendalot

The bedroom rate in my case will definitely not alter, and I have no plans to move. My anniversary date is October, so I would have October + 9 months. That is good to know, thanks!

pandaspot

Yeah the transitional protection is good, gives you a bit more time to prepare for the decrease

mrsspendalot

pandaspot wrote: »

Yeah the transitional protection is good, gives you a bit more time to prepare for the decrease

Definitely, plus I'll be back at work on full pay by then too rather than on SMP!

dweezer

am a little confused, currently get full benefit for full rent. If the capped amound is less does this mean I get less cos if so then I get £68 per month less benefit. Gonna be tough on income support for this amouint. I can't work due to illness at the moment and quite long-term, really worried about it.

Not sure what LHA amount means, this is more than my rent where I live so confused as to whether they will still pay full rent for my house as its more.

I also have 3 bedrooms, does this mean I will have to move when my children leave home as I only just moved here now and they are teens at college.

pandaspot

if you are currently getting lha then you will have a 9 month transitional protection applied at your anniversary date or after any significant change, after that date the amount you get will reduce.

i think you are also saying that you get the £15 extra cause your rent is less than the allowed lha rate? if so this will stop immediatley in april. You will get all your rent paid but you will have no top up.

when your children move out, its up to you if you move, but your lha rate will reduce and i doubt you will be able afford to continue living where you are.