Local housing allowance
How it works
The amount of rent used to calculate housing
benefit will be based on LHA rates produced by the Rent Service
each month.
The LHA rates are based on the number of
bedrooms a tenant requires. One bedroom is allowed for:
- every adult couple
- any other adult aged 16 years or over
- any two children of the same sex
- any two children aged under 10 years, regardless of sex
- any other child.
The current LHA rates are:
| Type of accommodation |
Local
Housing Allowance
(April 2012, weekly) |
Local
Housing Allowance
(May 2012, weekly) |
|
*Shared Accommodation
|
£92.35
|
£92.35
|
|
1 Bedroom
|
£240
|
£240
|
|
2 Bedroom
|
£290
|
£290
|
|
3 Bedroom
|
£340
|
£340
|
|
4 Bedroom and above
|
£400
|
£400
|
You can find out the amount of rent which will
be used to calculate your housing benefit by working out the number
of bedrooms you need.
The rate used will be the one for the month in
which your housing benefit entitlement starts. This will continue
for 12 months unless you move or your household changes.
How is local housing allowance paid?
Local housing allowance will normally be paid
to the tenant either by bank cheque or directly into their bank
account. Tenants without a bank, building society account are
advised to open one.
How to contact us
Tower Hamlets has a centralised benefit claims
processing service and a dedicated benefits call centre. Both are
based at the Town Hall where all postal, email and telephone
enquiries should be directed.
Home visits can be arranged if you are
housebound and do not have anyone who can help you.
Benefits Service
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 5001
Fax: 020 7364 7048
Email: benefits@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Personal callers should visit their nearest
One Stop Shop to hand in claim forms,
obtain receipts and have original evidence photocopied.
Find
out more about the local Housing Allowance (pdf)
Related services