IMPORTANT - Housing Benefit changes from January 2012
IMPORTANT - Housing Benefit changes from January 2012
Starting from 1 January 2012 the Government says that if you are single and aged between 25 and 35 you can only claim Housing Benefit up to the rate for shared accommodation if you are renting from a private landlord.
This shared rate of Housing Benefit will apply if :
You make a new claim starting after 1 January 2012
You move after 1 January 2012
You are under 35 when your existing claim is reviewed ( all claims are reviewed each year, so this means that for existing single claimants you will move to the new lower rate when your claim is reviewed unless you have an exemption).
You are not covered by any exemption ( eg receiving the severe disability premium, an ex-offender subject to an active MAPPA , or rough sleeper who has spent 3 months in a qualifying hostel )
Please see the link for the current rate of Housing Benefit for shared accommodation. With effect from the 1 April 2012, these rates will be published annually.
The shared rate for the period 1 April 2012 - 31 March 2013 is £58.50 for the Blackpool area.