Hi Guys,

This may seem a simple one but it's puzzled a few of us.

My clients are 22 years of age and married. Looking for privately rented accommodation in Camden and want to know how much Housing Benefit they'll be eligible for. I asked the Council and they haven't got a clue!

Mr is unemployed and has made a claim for Income Based JSA.

Mrs is a full time student and works 15 hours per week & earns £104.25 gr.

Mrs isn't eligible for HB because she's a student. So I'm trying to work out how much LHA they will get.

Does Mr just get the amount for a single bedroom with shared facilities, or are they treat as a couple, get the couple's entitlement and then treat Mrs as a non-dependant?

Or... have I totally got the wrong end of the stick?

Many thanks,

John

Wed 23-Sep-09 09:32 AM by Kevin D

Based on the info given, the non-student should claim HB.

Just for clarification, "LHA" is simply a means of limiting the amount of rent used in the HB calc; LHA is not a benefit in itself.

He and his partner will be a couple for HB/CTB purposes - there is no provision to treat the clmt as a single clmt.

If the clmt is on income-based JSA (and assuming he and his partner are the only occupiers), they will normally be subject to the one room rate of LHA (assuming self-contained accom), unless the rent is lower.

If the clmt is not on JSA(IB), benefit may be reduced if the combined clmt/ptnr income exceeds the applicable amount.

For LHA rates, see:
https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/LHARateSearch.aspx?SearchType=LA

They'd be on the cusp of getting IB-JSA on the figures given - £6 odd pw ... but ... e.g. what is the situation about student loans (notional or actual) etc?

You need to get the appropriate LHA figure and then carry out a proper benefits calculation including all the relevant incomes before advising them.

Thu 26-Nov-09 08:25 AM by Jmac

Thanks guys, this really cleared it up for me!