Housing Benefit more than my rent?

Cashtyke

Ive recently had to claim housing benefit for my privately rented flat due to both myself and my partner now having been made redundant.
We are claiming JSA income based (around £90) a week with the only other income coming from child tax credit and child benefit.
According to the letter i received my housing benefit is £10 more than what my rent costs me. Is this a mistake or is this something new as i havent claimed for many years
It says on the letter
Gross rent £70 Rent adjustment £10 = Eligible Rent £80

Any help appreciated

dmg24

Do you have a service charge or any other relevant charge that you have to pay? If not, you need to contact the LA as soon as possible, as if it is a mistake, they will ask for it back eventually.

Are you definitely being paid £80? The 'eligible rent' is not always the amount that you will be paid.

Cashtyke

Still waiting for a payment. It does say under benefit £80. Its the rent adjustment i didnt understand which adds an extra ten pounds to my benefit.
I dont have any service charges.

dmg24

In that case you need to contact the LHA. There could be a valid reason for the amount, but if not, you really don't want to get a bill to pay the money back later on. Let me know what they say, am intrigued! x

TOBRUK

Hi there, I know it states on the letter that it is £80 eligible rent, perhaps this is what you would be allowed which in your case is £10 more. I would wait until you receive payment before contacting the LHA to see what you are actually paid otherwise it may create confusion - you know how they are! When you do receive payment I'm sure there will be some correspondence enclosed with it explaining breakdown of the payment. If it turns out that the amount is more than your rent then I would contact them.