Local Housing Allowance room rates

Local housing allowance (LHA) changes from April 2012

From April 2012, the government froze local housing allowance rates for the next 12 months. The rates will remain static and all claims will be based on the rates set in April 2012.

The 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.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.

Single people under 35

Single claimants aged less than 35 years, who do not have a non-dependant living with them, will be entitled to the shared accommodation LHA rate.

Single claimants aged over 35 yrs and couples with no dependant children

Single claimants aged 35 years and over and couples with no dependent children, will be entitled to the one bedroom LHA rate for self-contained accommodation.

However, if people in this category choose to live in a property where they share any rooms, they will be entitled to only the shared accommodation LHA rate.

Joint tenants

The LHA rate for joint tenants will be based solely on the claimant's family, plus any non-dependants, sub-tenants or boarders of the claimant.

Who to contact

Name

Housing and Council Tax Benefit Section

Address

Customer Services
Unity House
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5AW
Map to this location

Email

benefitenquiries@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 15 May 2012