Local Housing Allowance
Local Housing Allowance - what it is and how to claim it
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the name for Housing Benefit for most tenants of private landlords who claim Housing Benefit after April 2008.
Some of the LHA rules changed from April 2011. There will be further changes in April 2013 with preparation for the changes starting in April 2012.
The amount of benefit you get depends on:
- who lives with you
- where you live
- how much money you have coming in
- what savings you have
- the amount of rent you pay
- your age
We will automatically assess your claim using LHA rules if we need to.
There is no separate claim form for LHA if you are making a new claim for benefit, just claim online or fill in a paper claim form.
If you are thinking of changing your existing non-LHA Housing Benefit claim to LHA you must think very carefully before changing. There are different arrangements for claiming.
Download our leaflet 'Local Housing Allowance'.
Contents of Local Housing Allowance
- Local Housing Allowance - what it is and how to claim it (this page)
- How Local Housing Allowance rates are set and how to find yours
- What if you get overnight care from a non-resident carer?
- Who can get Local Housing Allowance?
- How Local Housing Allowance is paid
- Will Local Housing Allowance be paid direct to your landlord?
- Local Housing Allowance for single under-35s and people in shared accommodation
- Local Housing Allowance for joint tenants
- If your Local Housing Allowance rate is different from your rent
- Should you change your Housing Benefit claim to Local Housing Allowance?
