Local Housing Allowance rates

How much will Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates be?

The maximum amount of housing benefit paid will depend on:

• the number of bedrooms allowed for the size of the claimant's family
• the rate set for this number of bedrooms by the rent service
• some special circumstances, such as, under 22-year-old care leavers, the severely disabled, under 25-year-olds being in shared accomodation

To determine the number of bedrooms your household needs, please use the calculator below:

• Bedroom entitlement calculator for your local housing allowance category

The rates of LHA for each will be set by the Rent Service every month and published by the council.

Local Housing Allowance rates February 2012(BRMA = broad rental market areas)

LHA category	BRMA1	BRMA2	BRMA3
Shared room	£55.00	£53.00	£55.00
One room	£71.54	£75.00	£75.00
Two room	£90.00	£92.31	£90.00
Three room	£101.54	£103.85	£95.00
Four room	£132.69	£137.31	£130.00

Please note: If you are a new claimant, you will not be able to get more than your actual rent. From 1 April 2011, the four bedroom rate is now the maximum that can be paid.

What are the broad rental market areas (BRMAs)?

The amount of LHA is also dependant on where you live. These are the broad rental market areas and are defined by the rent service. For North Lincolnshire Council there will be three areas as shown on the map below:

More LHA information

• Who will and will not be affected?
• How will LHA be paid?
• Main LHA page

More information

• Main benefit page
• Benefit enquiries
• Online benefit enquiries form
• Online feedback form
• Online benefits calculator
• Valuation Office Agency (External site)

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