Under 35's and Local Housing Allowance

The highest amount of rent we can use to work out your Housing Benefit depends on the number of bedrooms you need according to the Local Housing Allowance rules.

If you are aged under 35 and live on your own in a property rented from a private landlord, your benefit will be based on the Local Housing Allowance shared accommodation rate.

The shared accommodation rate will not apply if you are:

a care leaver aged under 22, or
severely disabled,

instead the one bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate will apply even if you live in shared accommodation.

The shared accommodation rate will also not apply if you are aged 25 to 34 and:

have spent at least 3 months in a,
- homeless hostel or
- hostel specialising in rehabilitating and resettling within the community, or
you are managed under active multi-agency management under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements,

the one bedroom Local Allowance Rate will apply provided you are not living in shared accommodation.

You can find out what the weekly rates are by checking the page LHA Rates.

The amount of benefit you are awarded will still depend on your income and savings. You can use the Benefit Calculator to find out how much LHA you may be entitled to.

If your rent is more than your benefit you will need to pay the shortfall. If you have particular reasons why you have difficulty paying your rent you may qualify for a Discretionary Housing Payment.