Updated 4 October 2011
Changes to Housing Benefit
In April 2011 we made major changes to Housing Benefit paid under the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) arrangements, including how the LHA rates are worked out. These reforms, coupled with more in progress, will save an estimated £2 billion in the financial year 2014–15.
The Welfare Reform Bill proposes other changes to housing support.
April 2011
The major changes to the LHA arrangements, implemented from April 2011, are:
- introducing a cap on the LHA rates payable
- setting rates at the 30th percentile in each area
- removing the £15 weekly excess
We have produced a range of communication products for local authorities to use to explain the changes to customers.
Changes to the shared accommodation rate from January 2012
From 1 January 2012 we are changing the shared accommodation rate. From that date single people under the age of 35 will only be entitled to the shared accommodation rate
We have produced a leaflet and poster for local authorities to use to explain the shared accommodation rate changes to customers.
