What is new in April 2011
April 2011
Currently some customers, whose rent is lower than the Local Housing Allowance rate for their size of home, are getting an additional payment of up to £15 per week included in their Housing Benefit. This additional payment will stop from the claim anniversary date on or after the 1 April 2011, or if you have a change in your circumstances such as:
-
a change in the size of your household that affects the size of the dwelling you are entitled to, or;
-
you move, or;
-
you have a break in your claim
This means that for these customers the amount of Housing Benefit that you get will go down.
April 2011
LHA rates will be calculated differently. Generally, this will mean that the LHA rate used to work out your benefit will be lower. The lower rates will apply from April 2011 if you:
If you are already receiving LHA then, providing your circumstances do not change, the lower amounts will not affect you until sometime after December 2011. Follow this link for more information about these changes.
April 2011
Adult members of your family may have to pay more towards your rent
If your benefit is reduced in respect of a non dependant deduction (a non dependant is usually an adult son, daughter, parent or friend who lives with you as part of your family) the amount that they will be expected to pay are increasing from April 2011. The amount they are expected to pay depends on their income. The new non dependant rates for April 2011 are shown here.
If either you or your partner are registered blind, receive either Attendance Allowance or the Care component of Disability Living Allowance there is no non dependant deduction.
April 2011
If either you or your partner need overnight care and have a bedroom solely for the use of either a carer or different carers who live elsewhere, the changes to the LHA scheme may mean that you can get help to pay for the extra bedroom. Please let us know if you feel that you might qualify for this extra help. Our contact details.
April 2011
Changes to Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit. Please look at the HMRC website to find out how the changes will affect the amount of Tax Credit you are entitled to. If your tax credit changes it will normally change the amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you are entitled to. If this happens, let us know straightaway. Our contact details.
April 2011
LHA Payments to landlords. We will have more discretion to pay your Housing Benefit to your landlord if it will help you either secure a new tenancy or remain in your current home.
You can find out more about these changes by visiting the Directgov webpages
Full list of 'What's New' features can be found below:
Budget June 2010
Pre-Budget announcement
Simpler claims for older people
Changes to the backdating rules
Local Housing Allowance
Property Licencing
Civil Partnerships