Local Housing Allowance room rates
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a flat rate housing
allowance and the rate of LHA a claimant qualifies for depends on
the area in which they live and the number of people living in
their household.
If LHA applies to you, you need to work
out:
You will then know the maximum amount upon which housing benefit
entitlement can be based. Remember, this is not necessarily
the amount of housing benefit you will get, as the council will
still need to calculate that from the details you provide on your
benefit claim
form.
The size criteria
One bedroom is allowed for:
- any adult couple
- any other adult aged 16 or over
- any two children of the same sex aged up to 15
- any two children aged under 10
- any other child
Examples
A couple with a 14 year old child would be entitled to
the two bedroom rate, one bedroom for themselves as a couple
and one bedroom for the child.
- A lone parent with a 12 year old boy, a 9 year old girl and a
non-dependant would be entitled to the four bedroom rate, one
bedroom for themselves, one bedroom for the boy, one bedroom for
the girl and one bedroom for the non-dependant.
Current LHA rates
Find the current LHA rates
From April 2011 the maximum LHA rate is the four bedroom
rate
From 1 April 2011, the maximum LHA rate that can be used to
calculate housing benefit entitlement is the four bedroom LHA
rate.
Child reaching the age of 10 or 16
When a child reaches the age of 10 or 16 the LHA level will be
reviewed. Where appropriate the new LHA rate will apply from the
Monday following the child’s birthday.
Foster children
For Housing Benefit purposes, a foster child is not counted as a
member of the claimant’s family and is not included when
calculating the size criteria.
Joint tenants
Joint tenants will receive a rate of LHA based solely on the
claimant’s family, plus any non-dependants, sub-tenants or boarders
of the claimant.
Under 25's (under 35's from 1 January 2012)
If you are under the age of 25 (under the age of 35 from 1
January 2012), are single and do not live with any dependants
(children), you can only get the LHA shared room rate, however
if one of the following exemptions apply, you may
still be entitled to the one bedroom LHA rate:
Exemptions:
- a care leaver aged under 22. If you or your partner
living with you are a care leaver aged under 22, and you have no
dependant children who live with you, then your benefit will be
based on the Local Housing Allowance one bedroom
rate.
- severely disabled. If you or your partner living with you
are severely disabled, and you have no dependant children who live
with you, then your benefit will be based on the Local Housing
Allowance one bedroom rate.
Exemptions for aged 25-34 (from January 2012)
- You have lived in a hostel for homeless people or a hostel
that provides rehabilitation and resettlement within the
community for at least three months. You must have received
resettlement support to help you live in the community.
- You are an ex-offender and your housing has been arranged for
you through Multi Agency Public Protection
Arrangements (MAPPA) for managing the risk posed by sexual and
violent offenders.
This webpage was updated on
12/23/2011