Local Housing Allowance

Sinny91

Hey everybody,

Hopefully I've came to the correct place for housing advice..

I've just turned 21 and have been working at The Chamber Of Commerce as an Apprentice for the last 2 months, and I'm contracted to continue up until 18 months. I sort of regret taking the position now, as I'm not earning nearly enough to rent a place, or even a room for that matter.

I've been in and out of temporary work since leaving college, so I've missed out on some of the benefits permanent job seekers do, I've known many that have abused the system and have all got cosey little flats to them selves...

Anyway, I've also been back and forth from my moms and various friends sofas since the age of 14, and now the time has come, I really need somewhere permanent to stay, after I've completed this diploma at the Chamber, I want to undertake a Degree in International Studies.. in fact I'd over lap them if i could just rent a place.

I currently earn £606 pcm minus £45 each month for my bus pass, and £25 each month to pay for my fathers funeral. So basically I've got £536 pcm month to live off.

I've been on the .gov benefits site to see if I am entitled to any further financial help, and - computer said no. aha.

I'm only looking for a room to rent, but so far they all range from £300 - £400 pcm... What am I supposed to do?!?

Under some advice I just viewed the .gov Local housing Allowance scheme.

(I did link it, but i'm not allowed to apparently)

I'm afraid, I really don't have the slightest clue if I'm entitled to this or not, do I have to be claiming housing benefit? Anyway I went ahead and filled in the costs for one room, it said I'd be entitled to £96 pw.. which is lovely, That's just about what I need to rent a room.. But am I entitled to this whilst I'm earning my above stated wage?

Some one talk to me in laymens terms! aha.

I cant stress enough how desperate I am to just start settling down, achieving some goals, and start moving forward in life, but it seems there's no easy way to do this!

Thanks in advance!

Sinead.

sniggings

go on your local council site and they will give the shared allowance for your area or use this link https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/BedRoomCalculator.aspx it should be enough to get you a room in a shared house.

Sinny91

The opening question is, "how many people live in your household?"

And do I have children living there...

I don't have a house, I'm looking for one! how does this work? aha.

sniggings

Sinny91 wrote: »

The opening question is, "how many people live in your household?"

And do I have children living there...

I don't have a house, I'm looking for one! how does this work? aha.

1 and none.

sniggings

just for future reference "household" does not only refer to an actual house but your family unit size, if you are single and no children then your household size is 1 even if you live in a tent.

Sinny91

Thanks, I completed that and its states im entitled to £96 pounds per week...
Do you happen to know the process I have to go through to implement this?

I.E Find a room for rent, then claim, or claim then find a room for rent?

Sinny91

sniggings wrote: »

just for future reference "household" does not only refer to an actual house but your family unit size, if you are single and no children then your household size is 1 even if you live in a tent.

Ahh, that's cleared up my confusion! aha.

sniggings

Sinny91 wrote: »

Thanks, I completed that and its states im entitled to £96 pounds per week...
Do you happen to know the process I have to go through to implement this?

I.E Find a room for rent, then claim, or claim then find a room for rent?

remember that is the allowance if you are allowed to claim the whole amount, as you are working your wages will be taken into account but as they are low you should get all/most of the £96.

The normal way is to find a place then put in the forms but this means your landlord has to agree to waiting for the payment to come through, some will, a lot won't, so you either need to save a few months rent to pay whilst you wait for the benefit to come through, some councils may offer help with deposits/rent in advance, you would have to ring and ask but as you are working I doubt much help will be there.

My advice is save the deposit and a few months rent, it takes the stress off, or if you can't wait, look around for a landlord prepared to wait for housing benefit, but not many will and those that will wait can be not the best property to rent.

BigAunty

Whoa,easy tiger! That sum might be the maximum amount for a room in a shared property, not your actual entitlement. Enter the LHA rate and your income into the Turn2us online benefit checker.

Not being funny but the only 21 year olds I knew who lived away from home in their own place tended to be in the Armed Forces or at Uni - it was in the era before Local Housing Allowance - but mainly they just lived with relatives until they earned enough, it's just how it was (yes, I'm old...)

The Shelter website and your local council website should explain how LHA works (housing benefit for the private sector). Technically you are homeless if you've got no security of tenure but you won't be a priority for social housing without dependents or disabilities but you can still read up on the Shelter website about your rights and options.

BigAunty

On the question of your father's funeral costs - I believe if he was on benefits, there might be some kind of grant. Not sure it applies but you could always look it up on the Direct Gov website for the full criteria.

You should be aware that many landlords will not accept LHA claimants (for many reasons, benefit claimants aren't popular), though your employment will stand you in better stead.