Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Scheme

What’s new?

The leaflet contains all the new rates for April 2013 – 2014 including the Local Housing Allowance rates, non-dependant deduction amounts and applicable amount tables. Leaflet 2 Benefits Information

Referred to in the press as the “Bedroom Tax”, the government’s new rules on restricting Housing Benefit for Housing Association tenants in properties deemed to be larger than their family’s requirements take effect from 1^st April 2013.

The changes only affect certain people who rent from a Housing Association, if you are in one of the below groups they will not normally apply to you:

· You or your partner have reached the qualifying age for State Pension Credit (if you are not sure you can check at GOV.UK

· You live in a shared ownership scheme property

· You live in supported accommodation that is classed as exempt (care and support must be provided as part of the tenancy)

****Stop press**** Following recent announcements, an additional room is allowed for each of the following:

Foster carers:

· Approved foster carers who have a child placed with them

· Approved foster carers who are between placements but only for a period of up to 52 consecutive weeks from the date of the last placement

· Newly approved foster carers but only for a period of up to 52 consecutive weeks from the date of the approval, if no child is placed with them during that period.

(a maximum of one bedroom, regardless of the number of foster children)

Parents whose adult children are members of the armed forces and are on operations

· They must have lived with you before their deployment

· They must have an intention to return to your home

· They must not have a main home elsewhere

Changes to the rules for Housing Association tenants from 1^st April 2013  Leaflet 1 - Housing Benefit

If you affected by these changes and are struggling to pay our rent you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment. 

Changes to rules - 1 January 2012

The Housing Benefit rules for people aged between 25 and 34 renting in the Private Sector are changing.  Please read the leaflet below carefully to find out if these rules will apply to you. 

Housing Benefit Leaflet - Change to rules for people aged between 25 and 34 renting in the Private Sector