Eligibility for Housing Benefits

How is my Tenant's Housing Benefit worked out?

Housing Benefit is based on the Local Housing Allowance rate which applies to the tenant's needs and are determined by:

  • The Age and number of dependents.
  • The number of bedrooms entitled to claim for.
  • The Locality of the property - an average price is used. see current LHA rates that are payable

Age and Dependents

  • Aged under 35, single with NO dependants, only QUALIFY FOR shared room rate.
  • Aged 35 or over, single or in a relationship and does not have anyone else living with them in the one bedroom property. Local Housing Allowance applies unless they live in a shared house and then the single or two shared room rate applies.

How many bedrooms can the tenant claim for?

A tenant is allowed to claim for one bedroom up to a maximum of five for: (revised 1 April 2013)

  • every adult couple (married or unmarried)
  • any other adult aged over 16
  • any two children of the same sex aged under 16
  • any two children aged under 10
  • any other child (other than a foster child or child whose main home is elsewhere)
  • a carer (or team of carers) who do not live with you but provide you or your partner with overnight care.

There are extra rules if the tenant is:

  • A care leaver aged under 22.
  • Severely disabled.