Local Housing Allowance

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Introduction

This April there will be changes to the Housing Benefit paid to people renting from a Private Landlord.  A new flat-rate benefit called Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will replace the current payments.

LHA is calculated in a different way and there are set rates for different types of homes.

LHA will be paid direct to the Tenant, except to 'vulnerable' Tenants who are unlikely to manage their financial affairs.

The new scheme has been designed to pay the same amount to Tenants with similar circumstances living in the same area.  LHA also makes it easier for Tenants and Landlords to find out in advance how much rent is covered by benefit payments.

Tenants will have to take responsibility for paying their own rent and will be encouraged to manage their own finances.

The LHA rate will be advertised monthly after being set by the Rent Officer Service.

Each council in East Sussex will also advertise their local rates on their own websites.  Use these links to check the rate for a property in your area:

• Wealden
• Rother
• Eastbourne
• Lewes
• Hastings

For further Information please contact your Local Housing Benefit Office.

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