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If you pay rent to a Private Landlord, then the financial help we can give you towards your rent is called 'Local Housing Allowance'. This is paid directly to you, in arrears, and you have to then pay your Landlord.
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If you claim Jobseeker's Allowance, you will get an Application Form with the Jobseeker's Allowance claim pack. If you are claiming income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, fill in the claim forms and take them with you to your New Jobseeker Interview.
If you are claiming contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you will need to contact us for a form. We are happy to help you if you have difficulty understanding or filling in the form.
If you get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you may get up to the maximum amount of financial help allowable. If you do not get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, the amount of help you get depends on the amount of eligible rent or Council Tax that you pay, how many people live with you, your personal circumstances, how much money you have coming in and how much you have in savings.
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These amounts are the maximum amount of help you may receive. The size of the property depends on the number and age of the people in your household.
Single room rate:£60.00 per week
1 Bedroom:£90.90 per week
2 Bedrooms:£115.07 per week
3 Bedrooms:£155.34 per week
4 Bedrooms:£184.11 per week
5 Bedrooms:£275.01 per week
Single room rate:£60.00 per week
1 Bedroom:£90.90 per week
2 Bedrooms:£115.07 per week
3 Bedrooms:£159.95 per week
4 Bedrooms:£184.11 per week
5 Bedrooms:£276.16 per week
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If you find housing that's below the fixed rate for its type then you will get the rent liability together with a maximum of £15 up to the Local Housing Allowance rate. For example, if you find a 2 bed property for £100 a week and the Local Housing Allowance rate is £120 a week, you will receive £115 a week. The excess £15 will not affect your entitlement to any other benefits.
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If you find housing that's above the fixed rate for its type then you will have to make up the difference.
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Special rules apply. You will be restricted to the single room rate of Local Housing Allowance.
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You will not be able to claim Local Housing Allowance (unless you are disabled or have dependant children).
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Unlike Housing Benefit which is paid directly to your Landlord, Local Housing Allowance is paid into your bank account and you are then expected to pay your Landlord. You cannot opt to have your Local Housing Allowance paid directly to your Landlord unless you feel you are unable to manage your financial affairs. In this case, you can apply under our Safeguard Policy.
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Please contact us for help and advice.
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Even though they're not taken into account, you must still tell us about them.
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As soon as you have a rent agreement with your Landlord, contact us and we will help you apply.
If you claim Income Support or Job Seekers' Allowance, you will get the relevant Application Form with your claim pack.
If you do not claim either of these, the forms are available from our Benefits Office or you can download them from this website.
You'll be asked to give proof of all your income and savings; proof of the rent you're being charged; proof of your identity and National Insurance Number. All documents provided must be originals; we won't accept photocopies.
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This page last updated: 24/02/2010