Changes to social housing benefits - examples

Examples of when this change would affect you

John aged 29 is single starts his tenancy in Skelmersdale on 4 April 2016 His rent is £83.45.  He receives £83.45 in housing related benefits which covers his rent

In April 2019 John will be affected by LHA which will reduce his housing related benefit to the shared room rate £57.57 meaning John will need to pay £25.88 to cover the shortfall in his rent.

Paul, aged 37, is single and lives alone. He has a tenancy which started 13 June 2014. He receives Universal Credit which covers his rent. His rent is £94.51. 

In April 2019 Paul will be affected by LHA which will reduce his housing costs to the single room rate £80.55 meaning he will need to pay £13.96 to cover the shortfall in his rent as he is on Universal credit

John and Susan aged 31 have one child. They start a tenancy in Skelmersdale on 13 June 2016.  Their rent is £104.51. They receive £104.51 housing related benefit which covers their rent. On 15 November Susan moves back to her mum's with their child. John remains in the tenancy.

In April 2019 John will be affected by the LHA rate. It will reduce his housing related benefit to the shared room rate £57.57 meaning John will need to pay £46.94 to cover the shortfall in his rent.

Examples of when this change would not affect you

Peter aged 24 is single and lives alone. He has a tenancy which started on 23 March 2015. He receives Housing Benefit.  April 2019 his circumstances remain the same.

In April 2019 Peter’s Housing Benefit will remain the same as his tenancy started before 1 April 2016.

Sarah aged 26 is single and lives alone in a one bedroom flat. Her tenancy started 1 August 2016. Sarah receives housing benefit and is classed as severley disabled. April 2019 her circumstances remain the same.

In April 2019 Sarah’s benefit for her rent will remain the same as she is entitled to the severe disability premium

Michael and Sue both aged 26 live alone. They start a tenancy in Skelmersdale on 11 May 2016. Their rent is £80.00. They receive £80.00 housing related benefit which covers their rent

In April 2019 Michael and Sue’s benefit for their rent will not reduce as their LHA rate is higher than their rent.