quickie about LHA rules

Jowo_2

I'm not up to speed on the change but I believe there is a 13 week period where a person has protection when their rent is higher than their LHA, plus there is also discretionary housing benefit that can be applied for. Hopefully someone who is more expert in this area can clarify rather than let me confuse matters.

Marisco

Thanks Jowo, it's just sheer curiosity on my part, thankfully I'm not in a position where it matters. But I can see it causing a lot of trouble in the future! I can sort of see the reasoning behind it, and if it's for under 35's, then that's not so bad. I had visions of some poor sod in their 50's being made redundant, been in their flat for years, then being told they'd have to house share because the HB won't cover their rent!!!!

dmg24

Marisco wrote: »

Thanks Jowo, it's just sheer curiosity on my part, thankfully I'm not in a position where it matters. But I can see it causing a lot of trouble in the future! I can sort of see the reasoning behind it, and if it's for under 35's, then that's not so bad. I had visions of some poor sod in their 50's being made redundant, been in their flat for years, then being told they'd have to house share because the HB won't cover their rent!!!!

A thirty four year old could have been living alone for sixteen years ... What makes it easier for them to house share than a fifty year old?

pandaspot

It is going to get tough out there. Especially with the increases in nondependant deductions in april. Which will probably mean a lot of nondeps being asked or forced to leave the family home as claimants won't like/want the deduction. Then in jan the shared rate being extended to 35.

Definetly encouraging/forcing the under 35's to get employment.

fluffymovie

The shared room rate will be renamed and won't come in until Jan next year according to the budget.

13 week protection applies to those who could afford the property when they moved in and haven't been in receipt of HB in past 52 weeks.

To OP, the couple would only be entitled to the 1 bed if they rent somewhere of at least this size. If they choose to live in shared accommodation, they'd only get the shared rate

Wee_Willy_Harris

The couple would get the single room rent, even if they were living in a larger property or sharing.

The LHA changes are effective immediately for new claimants and on the aniversary of the claim for existing claimants.

Supernatural

Where does the new law stand on a under 35 in a studio flat then? Is that classed as one room or non shared accommodation?

Wee_Willy_Harris

Supernatural wrote: »

Where does the new law stand on a under 35 in a studio flat then? Is that classed as one room or non shared accommodation?

The accommodation is irrelevant. LHA is based on the household so, when the new regs are introduced, the single under 35 would be entitled to the shared room rate, regardless of the property they were renting.

Supernatural

Ah I see, ok, thanks

intranicity

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

The couple would get the single room rent, even if they were living in a larger property or sharing.

The LHA changes are effective immediately for new claimants and on the aniversary of the claim for existing claimants.

Are you sure of this, my understanding is that ANY couple with no dependants will get 1 bed rate if they choose to live in a self contained house, but if they choose to share, then they will only get the shared room rate.

Q. We are a couple without dependents. Is it the one bedroom LHA rate or the shared room LHA rate that applies to us?

A. If you are part of a couple and do not live with any dependants, your benefit will be based on the one bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate if you live in:

a self-contained property shared accommodation but have two or more rooms (bedrooms or living rooms) that no-one else can use
OR If you are part of a couple and do not live with any dependants, your benefit will be based on the Local Housing Allowance shared room rate if you live in shared accommodation.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/faq.aspx#CoupleWithoutDependents