Changes to Housing Benefit from January 2012
Are you aged 25 or more but under 35? If so these changes may affect you
The Government is changing the rules that apply to single people living in self-contained accommodation and aged 25 or more, but under 35.
These changes mean that you will only be entitled to the lower rate of housing benefit for a room in shared accommodation.
If you are single and aged 25 or more, but under 35, when your Housing Benefit (LHA) is reassessed from January 2012 onwards, this change will apply to you, unless you are covered by one of the exemptions.
The change means that, instead of the LHA rate referred to above (the 1 Bedroom Rate), you would move onto the LHA rate for shared accommodation, which is much lower.
We are unable to tell you the exact rate for shared accommodation in advance as this varies from month to month. However the current shared accommodation rates in South Northamptonshire area for October 2011 are shown below:
| Cherwell Valley | £69.23 per week |
| Milton Keynes | £68.50 per week |
| Northampton | £60.00 per week |
If you fall into the affected age range we will be writing to you to give you further information.