Important for those on Housing Benefit!
...and LESS I FORGET:
In case you have missed this, the max rent levels (LHA) currently accepted are about to drop significantly from 01 April 2011! This due to Government savings - i.e. they want to reduce the amount of benefits they’re now paying out. Well, at least that is what it seems to be…
This means that first of all, those that have had the £15 top up will lose it from that date.
After this you’ll need to know when your rent anniversary date is - from that date you may be re-assessed on the new lower rent level which effectively could be less than your rent is & force you to move out. What the Government has said is more or less that you are protected under the old scheme until your anniversary (rent check) date - after this you could be protected for another 9 months ~ but ~ this is pending changes such as someone moving in/out/you having a baby which will affect the ‘number of bedrooms’ you’re assessed on. That’s the rough guidance on it!
Do find out which date this will kick in for you, by calling your Housing Benefit office.
They won’t be able to give you more than a guidance on the date as they can’t predict what kind of changes you will have, but they will be able to give you your anniversary date and then you can calculate the other 9 months on top to know when you think it will start affecting you.
*Should you for any reason be stuck & can’t move when change kicks in (& it turns out you can’t afford staying), you might be able to claim DHP (discretionary housing payment) to help you out until you can move out.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but I’d rather you’re all forewarned & forearmed!!!! & geared to deal with the change when it comes.
XXX
In case you have missed this, the max rent levels (LHA) currently accepted are about to drop significantly from 01 April 2011! This due to Government savings - i.e. they want to reduce the amount of benefits they’re now paying out. Well, at least that is what it seems to be…
This means that first of all, those that have had the £15 top up will lose it from that date.
After this you’ll need to know when your rent anniversary date is - from that date you may be re-assessed on the new lower rent level which effectively could be less than your rent is & force you to move out. What the Government has said is more or less that you are protected under the old scheme until your anniversary (rent check) date - after this you could be protected for another 9 months ~ but ~ this is pending changes such as someone moving in/out/you having a baby which will affect the ‘number of bedrooms’ you’re assessed on. That’s the rough guidance on it!
Do find out which date this will kick in for you, by calling your Housing Benefit office.
They won’t be able to give you more than a guidance on the date as they can’t predict what kind of changes you will have, but they will be able to give you your anniversary date and then you can calculate the other 9 months on top to know when you think it will start affecting you.
*Should you for any reason be stuck & can’t move when change kicks in (& it turns out you can’t afford staying), you might be able to claim DHP (discretionary housing payment) to help you out until you can move out.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but I’d rather you’re all forewarned & forearmed!!!! & geared to deal with the change when it comes.
XXX