Single and under 35 LHA Question

Sarah1987

Thanks! I actually also found that document while googling and sent an email to the council asking for clarification..

This is what I wrote in the email. Hopefully it's clear enough because right now I feel really stressed and frustrated by the whole thing! I guess that's what happens though when the council outsources their call centers to C(r)apita. I used to work for Service Birmingham (Capita) who do the call centers for Birmingham City Council and I know just how badly trained the staff are..

Hello,

I'm wondering if I can get some clarification as the people I've spoken to on the phone either don't seem to know the answer or say the LHA protection doesn't exist.

I have made a claim through the job centre for ESA and also for housing benefit. The information isn't yet on your system though as I'm waiting to have all the documents to send in. I am concerned about the local housing allowance as it seems that due to being under 35 and single without any dependents I am only entitled to the shared rate, however my rent is higher than the allowance. I have been advised about the discretionary housing payments which I will apply for due to the circumstances of my ESA claim.

I was advised that there is a 13 week LHA protection where if someone has not claimed benefits in the year prior to making their claim then their full rent will be paid for the first 13 weeks. I've phoned to query this and the first adviser I spoke to was unaware of it. I then phoned again later in the day after finding more information regarding it and spoke to another adviser who was also unaware and was then transferred to a manager trained in benefits who was also unaware.

I have researched it further online and have found multiple websites that mention the 13 week protection, including government websites. You will probably find the following link most useful as it is from the gov.uk website.

lha-guidance-manual.pdf (Had to edit it because I can't post links on the forum it says)
Please see Chapter 8, Protection Rules (Page 72)

I'm wondering if you could please clarify this for me as your benefits advisers seem unaware of it. If it is in fact correct then it may be useful for the contact center staff to be made aware of this as the lack of certainty and/or knowledge of your benefits advisers regarding this is likely to cause confusion and stress for more customers in the future. It may also be useful to include some information regarding this on the birmingham.gov.uk website as I cannot find anything when searching, and other Local Authorities display this information on their website.

Thank you,
Sarah ********

pmlindyloo

Sarah1987 wrote: »

Thanks! I actually also found that document while googling and sent an email to the council asking for clarification..

This is what I wrote in the email. Hopefully it's clear enough because right now I feel really stressed and frustrated by the whole thing! I guess that's what happens though when the council outsources their call centers to C(r)apita. I used to work for Service Birmingham (Capita) who do the call centers for Birmingham City Council and I know just how badly trained the staff are..

Love it, especially the bit about training their staff.

Do let us know the reply