Changes to housing benefit from January 2012

The amount of housing benefit some of your tenants can receive may be changing

The government has announced plans to bring forward changes that will affect entitlement to housing benefit for single people who are aged under 35.

From 1 January 2012, single people who are aged under 35 will only be entitled to have their housing benefit assessed based on the shared room rate of local housing allowance rather than the one-bedroom rate.

Who will it affect?

This means that if your tenant is single, aged under 35 and lives in self-contained accommodation they could get less housing benefit.

How much housing benefit will they get?

We can not tell you how much they will get because the Local Housing Allowance rates change from month to month, however, the shared accommodation rate for the Central Greater Manchester area is currently £60.00 per week and the one bedroom rate is £92.31 per week.

From what date will this affect them?

This will depend on their specific circumstances.

• The shared room rate of local housing allowance will be used to work out housing benefit entitlement for single people aged under 35 making a new claim for housing benefit on or after 1 January 2012.
• People already getting housing benefit before 1 January 2012 who are single and aged under 35 will have their Housing Benefit re-assessed when their transitional protection period ends.
• People already getting housing benefit before 1 January 2012 who are single aged under 35 not receiving transitional protection will have their housing benefit re-assessed on the anniversary of their claim.

Will this affect everyone in this group?

There are some exemptions to these changes:

• People who qualify for a Severe Disability Premium.
• Ex-offenders over 25 who are subject to active multi-agency management under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
• People who have spent three months or more in a homeless hostel, or more than one hostel, specialising in rehabilitating and resettling this group within the community.

Will you tell my tenants if this affects their housing benefit?

We will write to your tenants if their housing benefit entitlement changes and also notify you if you receive direct payments.

Where can my tenants go if they need help with these changes?

Your tenants may be concerned about how they will pay the shortfall between their housing benefit and the rent that you charge and we recommend you talk to your tenant about this as soon as possible. We have a dedicated team who can provide practical help and support to your tenant. They will also be able to look at several options that may be available to help them with the shortfall. From 1 December 2011, the team can be contacted by phone on 0845 120 2093 (local rate number) or visit Help With Rent.

Where else can my tenants get advice?

• Salford Welfare Rights Service. Advice, support and representation on benefits and tax credits. Telephone advice line: 0800 345 7375.
• Salford Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Wide range of advice. Based in Pendleton, Eccles, Swinton, Irlam and Walkden - for addresses look in the phone book, Yellow Pages. Telephone: 0844 826 9695.
• Salford Housing Options. Advice and support with immediate housing problems or future housing needs. Telephone: 0161 793 2020. Text: 07966 316 206.
• Shelter. Confidential housing, welfare benefits and debt advice through a network of advice services. Telephone advice helpline: 0808 800 4444 from 8.00am to 8.00pm from Monday to Friday and from 8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

This page was last updated on 13 March 2012