Local Housing Allowance

1. Local Housing Allowance Changes from April 2011

2. Local Housing Allowance – Changes from April 2011 From April 2011 Removal of 5 bed rate Removal of £15.00 excess LHA rates to be set at the 30th Percentile of rents, rather than the median Weekly cap on LHA rates Additional room for a non-resident carer where a disabled person has need for overnight care Start of staged increase in non-dependant deductions

3. Local Housing Allowance New Claims – April 2011 Existing customers: Anniversary date + upto 9 months transitional protection Most existing customers affected from January 2012 £15.00 excess not protected Extra room for carers applies to all from April.11

4. Local Housing Allowance Transitional Protection Maximum LHA rate protected but protection ends: - once the nine month period expired - customer becomes entitled to larger category of dwelling and new maximum rent is equal to or higher - Customer becomes entitled to smaller category of dwelling - Change of address - Death of a linked person

5. Local Housing Allowance Changes from 2012 & 2013 LHA – shared room rate extended to under 35 LHA to be uprated on the basis of the CPI Housing Benefit for working age social-rented sector customers will be restricted to those who are occupying a larger property than their household size and structure

6. Direct Payments New safeguard provision: discretion to pay HB direct if it assists in securing or retaining a tenancy Intended to help negotiate lower rents, normally at the LHA rate Must be satisfied genuine reduction in rent Detailed guidance to follow shortly

7. Future Welfare Reform Bill published Universal Credit