From 7th April 2008
You will fall under the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) scheme if:
- You claim for the first time on or after 7th April 2008 and are entitled to benefit
- you move address
- you stop getting Job Seeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- you receive an Extended Payment Period when you start a new a new job
- your earnings change and your earnings become more than the amount you are allowed to earn in our benefit calculations.
The amount of LHA you are entitled to will not take account of any rate of housing benefit you might have previously been receiving.
How Often Does LHA Change?
LHA rates vary slightly each month but your own allowance will only change after 12 months. You don't need to reclaim. If you tell us of a change in your circumstances your allowance may change at that time.
How Do You Work Out What My Allowance Will Be?
The LHA that we pay you will be based upon:
How Long Does the Allowance Last?
The LHA awarded when you make a claim lasts for one year. After one year your allowance is updated to the rate payable at that time.
However, if you have a relevant change in your household circumstances, you need to let us us know. The 12-month period will start again from the date of the change.
