Will my housing benefit stop or be reduced?

jemma611

Hi I was wondering if anyone can help because I’m getting really worried!
I have been told by my advisor at the job centre that the government are changing housing benefit for people under 35 so they won’t pay for people to have their own flats but only a room in a shared house. It this true and if so when is it happening? Will it apply to people who already are in their own flats?
These has got me worried as im only 23 and have been in my flat for just over 2 years. I really don’t want to move and I have too much stuff to fit in to one room! And I’ve spent a lot of money on carpets, curtains washing machine, fridge etc. Also the rent on my flat is not that much, the rent on rooms in a shared house are similar, sometimes more.

Gentile

jemma611 wrote: »

Hi I was wondering if anyone can help because I’m getting really worried!
I have been told by my advisor at the job centre that the government are changing housing benefit for people under 35 so they won’t pay for people to have their own flats but only a room in a shared house. It this true and if so when is it happening? Will it apply to people who already are in their own flats?
These has got me worried as im only 23 and have been in my flat for just over 2 years. I really don’t want to move and I have too much stuff to fit in to one room! And I’ve spent a lot of money on carpets, curtains washing machine, fridge etc. Also the rent on my flat is not that much, the rent on rooms in a shared house are similar, sometimes more.

What are your personal circumstances that you would need help with housing at an age of 23? Are you married and living with someone ? How many kids do you have ?

nannytone_2

it is true, and it was applied last April. with existing claim,ants getting transitional protection.

its now at the end of that period, and everyone inder 35 is affected.

if your rent is fairly cheap then you may be able to afford to stay.

look up your local LHA shared accomodation rate.

you can live in whatever property you wish, but will only receve the shared accomodation rate

jemma611

I live alone and have no kids.

Gentile

jemma611 wrote: »

I live alone and have no kids.

Are you in full time work ?

miduck

jemma611 wrote: »

I live alone and have no kids.

Is it a council property/ social housing, and if so do you have more than one bedroom? If not, do you know if you receive the shared room rate of LHA or the one bedroom rate? If unsure, you can check on this link.

Do you receive DLA?

It may be that you have nothing to worry about.

jemma611

It is a housing association flat with one bedroom. I do not receive DLA.
Currently I am not in work as I was made redundant last November.

miduck

jemma611 wrote: »

It is a housing association flat with one bedroom. I do not receive DLA.
Currently I am not in work as I was made redundant last November.

In that case you have nothing to worry about, the changes the advisor was talking about only apply to those in private housing. If you had more bedrooms, you would have to pay something, but that is not the case here.

nannytone_2

it wont affect you then.
it only affects private tenants.

the other change taking place is april affects social housing tenants, but only those that have spare bedrooms

jemma611

Thanks for the replies. My mind has been put to rest.