Single room rate changes - January 2012
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO HOUSING BENEFIT FROM JAN 2012
Housing Benefit Legislation is extending the age group for single people who can only claim a shared room rate to help with their rent (rather than being able to claim for self-contained one bedroom accommodation). This means you may only be entitled to the lower rate of Housing benefit for a room in shared accommodation if all of the following apply:
- You are a single person
- You are occupying one-bedroom self contained accommodation rented from a private landlord
- Your Housing Benefit is due to be reviewed from Jan 12 onwards
- At the date of the review you will be aged 25 or over but under 35
- You are not covered by any of the exemptions on sharing accommodation such as:
- you receive a Severe Disability Premium within your applicable amount
- you have a boarder, lodger or a non-dependant in your property
- you need an overnight carer
- you have spent at least 3 months in a homeless hostel
- you are an ex-offender who is subject to MAPPA arrangements
If you have any concerns about how this may affect your Housing Benefit please contact the Customer Services Department at The Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow in Furness or tel 01229 404242 for advice.
