HELP change of circumstance HB and private landlord URGENT

cheekyfunkster

Can anyone really please help advise me, am really worried and really confused by the DWP benefit changes leaflet I just saw through another posting, I tried to talk to my Council but they werent very helpful and I am extremely stressed that I may have to try and find new accomodation during the Olympics andor move from London
1) If a person has claimed HB before Jan 2012 and received the LHA rate for a one bed but the annual date of renewal is coming up, is this person affected by the changes if they are renting from a private landlord aged 33 and on JSA, or do the changes as indicated on DWP site come into affect 9 months after the first date of HB assessment?
2) Is this date of HB assessment the same as annual renewal date? If yes after a year, then surely the council have to inform the person that their rate will be changing and provide adequate notice of this effect?
Surely if you were to gain a drastic reduction in LHA rate to shared accomodation (effectively more than 1/2 in my case making it impossible to live in same property and homeless) they would have to give you notice of sorts?
3) My landlord wants to renew and issue a new 6 month tenancy agreement with minimal but fair % increase - given that i am still in the same property and my circumstances have not changed how likely it is that I get the same rate?
4) Will i have to make a new claim or an extension of an old one, council seemed to think not new one but wasnt clear on how this may work and i gto very confused
5) fyi i turn 34 in autumn and am 70% certain that my employment status will be changing pending voluntary work i have been doing for while and new govt contract there will be a paid role emerging so am pretty sure i wont be claiming any more benefits as i hate doing so (am a grad professional)
6) If new tenancy agreement and rent increase this is change of circumstance do i have to inform them of date of new contract or date at which i claimed Hb? is it actually better not to say anything until I get a letter about my re-assessment, whenever that is, but tyey have record on my tel call question....HELP am really worried

anyone any thoughts????? I need to tell the landlord am ok with staying but will have to take that risk and need some objective anonymous info
THANKS FOR ADVICE

allen35

I am lead to believe your anniversary will be August if claiming LHA before Jan'12 in certain circumstances.

You should shortly receive an ammended award based on the shared accomodation rate before it affects you.

It shouldn't be assessed as a new claim just a COC and you will receive a new assessment based on the new rules.

You may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment short term to help with the shortfall (speak to local authority)