Benefits news

Housing and Council Tax Benefit

• Further changes to non-dependant deductions from April 2012
  Non-dependant deductions from Housing and Council Tax Benefit payments are being increased over the next three years from April 2011.

Housing benefit

• LHA rates will be frozen from April 2012 - last year the Government announced that LHA rates will be frozen at their April 2012 rate for one year. The Government says this is to establish a baseline from which to uprate the LHA figures each year in April.
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• Local Housing allowance change from 1 January 2012 - the LHA shared accommodation rate will apply to single claimants aged under 35. rather than 25 as it applies now, from 1 January 2012.
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• Advice leaflet 'Housing Benefit is changing from April 2011' (new window PDF 236KB) - at a glance information about who will be affected by the Housing Benefit changes and when and contact details for advice and information.
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• Do you or your partner have a carer who stays overnight in your home?
  From April 2011 the help you get with your rent can take account of this and could result in an increase in Housing Benefit.