Communications

We have produced a range of communications materials to help local authorities explain Housing Benefit under the LHA arrangements to tenants. This includes information about

• the current LHA rules and processes
• about how the changes to LHA rates from April 2011 may affect tenants; and
• how the changes to the shared accommodation rate from1 January 2012 may affect tenants aged under 35.

We have also produced some model questions and answers to help local authorities explain the changes to claimants, and some FAQs for staff.

• Current LHA products
• Products to support the LHA changes from April 2011
• Products to support the changes to the shared accommodation rate
• Model questions and answers for claimants
• FAQs for staff

Current LHA products

We have produced a range of model leaflets for local authorities to use. The leaflets contain text only and are provided in rich text format (and so should be compatible with any word processing package). You can choose to use some or all of them as your local needs demand. Format them with your local branding and add relevant contact details. Some leaflets have spaces for other local information as well.

You may also find the content useful for including information about the Local Housing Allowance arrangements on your local authority website.

The leaflets are also available in Welsh.

Products to support the LHA arrangements changes from April 2011

We have developed a number of new communication products to support the implementation of the April 2011 LHA changes. These include:

• a DWP-branded leaflet for customers
• a DWP-branded poster
• model leaflets
• model questions and answers for customers
• FAQs for staff

You can get more information about the changes in HB/CTB A25/2010 (183KB)

DWP-branded leaflet

We have produced a leaflet (Housing Benefit is changing from April 2011 for private tenants) for LAs to give to customers. We have sent each LA a number of printed copies.

You can order more copies from Catalogue of DWP products. The leaflet is available in English and a bilingual English/Welsh version.

• LHA leaflet (111KB)
• LHA leaflet (Wales) (164KB)

DWP-branded poster

We have produced a poster for LAs to display in customer areas. The poster gives basic details about the changes to LHA from April 2011. We have sent each LA a number of printed copies.

• LHA poster (55KB)
• LHA poster (Wales) (71KB)

Model leaflets

We have developed some model leaflets that explain the changes to the LHA arrangements from April 2011.

The model leaflets contain text only and are provided in rich text format (and so should be compatible with any word processing package). You can choose to use some or all of them as your local needs demand. Format them with your local branding and add relevant contact details. Some leaflets have spaces for other local information as well.

You may also find the content useful for including information about the Local Housing Allowance arrangements on your local authority website.

Products to support the changes to the shared accommodation rate

We have produced some model leaflets explaining the proposed changes to the shared accommodation rate being introduced in January 2012. These changes may affect customers who:

• were getting benefit before April 2011
• are single
• are aged under 35

The model leaflets contain text only and are provided in rich text format (and so should be compatible with any word processing package). You can choose to use some or all of them as your local needs demand. Format them with your local branding and add relevant contact details. Some leaflets have spaces for other local information as well.

You may also find the content useful for including information about the Local Housing Allowance arrangements on your local authority website.

DWP-branded claimant factsheet

We have produced a factsheet for local authorities to give to claimants who may be affected by the changes to the Shared Accommodation Rate from 1 January 2012.

• HB SAR1 (76KB) – shared accommodation rate factsheet
• HB SAR1W (124KB) – bilingual shared accommodation rate factsheet for use in Wales

DWP-branded poster

This poster gives details of the increase in age of the shared accommodation rate from 1 January 2012. This is for LAs to display in customer areas.

We will send each LA a number of printed copies but you can also print off your own copies.

• Shared accommodation rate poster (48KB)
• Bilingual shared accommodation rate poster for use in Wales (55KB) – for use in Wales

Model questions and answers for customers

We have had a number of requests for some FAQs about the LHA arrangements changes to use with customers. We have developed some text and FAQs that you can replicate or adapt to use with your customers.

The Department is developing a wider communications strategy for later in the year once legislation is made.

• HB(LHA) FAQ for customers (36KB) RTF – updated April 2011

FAQs for staff

We have developed some detailed FAQs to explain the April 2011 changes to the LHA arrangements to LA staff.

• Changes to Housing Benefit from April 2011 (102KB) RTF – updated April 2011

We also promised at our spring conferences to provide some further FAQs about the changes.

• Local Housing Allowance Implementation Conferences – Frequently Asked Questions (39KB)