Local housing allowance changes

The national Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Scheme came into effect on 7 April 2008.

This new scheme affected new tenants or those existing tenants who either moved house or had a break in their claim after this date.

Tenants whose LHA claim started before 7 April 2008 and who received a higher LHA rate than the national LHA Scheme rate had their rate protected for one year before moving to the new lower rate.

That protection is due to end from 6 April 2009 when they will move to the new lower rate. Many of these tenants received an excess LHA payment above the amount of rent they were due to pay. Under the previous scheme there was no limit on how much this excess could be.

However, the national scheme restricts any excess payment to £15 per week above the amount of rent due.

Therefore, the tenants affected will see a drop in the amount of Housing Benefit they receive after 6 April 2009.

However, it is important to remember that their Housing Benefit entitlement will still be greater than the amount of rent due.

This change will, therefore, not jeopardise their tenancy.

Last year a letter was sent to all of the tenants affected to advise them of this impending change. A further reminder letter has been issued recently.

Need to know

If you have any concerns about how your Housing Benefit may be affected, call 0131 469 5000. Or call in at your local neighbourhood office or at 249 High Street.