If you live in shared accommodation
If you and your partner have sole use of a bedroom but share other rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, toilet or living room, you usually get the shared accommodation LHA rate which is usually lower than the one-bedroom rate.
There are some exceptions -
You get the one-bedroom rate instead if:
- one of you is severely disabled and getting the middle or higher rate care part of Disability Living Allowance; or
- one of you is under 25 and has been in the care of, or housed by, a local authority since the age of 16.
You get the two-bedroom LHA rate instead if one of you receives overnight care from a carer who does not live with you.
If you are single, over 35, living alone and share some parts of your accommodation you get the one-bedroom rate instead if:
- you have sole use of at least two rooms, counting only bedrooms and living rooms; or
- you have sole use of one room and sole use of a bathroom, a toilet and a kitchen or cooking facilities.