The LHA is a flat rate maximum entitlement to housing benefit. The amount depends on the number of people living in the tenants household and the number of bedrooms they need, referred to as the size criteria.
From April 2011 the scheme will change. For more info see the link below.
The size criteria
One bedroom for
- Every adult couple
- Any other adult aged 16 or over
- Any two children regardless of gender aged under 10
- Any two children of the same gender aged up to 15
- Any other child
For single tenants under 25 years old there will be a "shared" rate of LHA that replaces the single room rent. This rate will also apply to single people over 25 and couples with no other occupiers who chose to live in shared accommodation.
There are no changes to the housing benefits entitlement rules; this is still based on the person's individual circumstances. The LHA rate is only the starting point of the calculation. How is it worked out?
