What is new in April 2012:

April 2012

Single Room Rent restrictions extended from under 25's to apply to claimants under 35 who live alone. We will be writing to all claimants affected by this change when we have full details.

What is new in April 2011:

April 2011

If you receive more Housing Benefit (up to £15) than you pay for rent, this top up will stop as soon as we next update the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates on your claim after 1st April 2011.

April 2011

LHA rates will be calculated differently. Generally, this will mean that the LHA rate used to work out your benefit will be lower. The lower rates will apply from April 2011 if you:

• Make a new claim
• Move
• Have a change in circumstances, which means you need a smaller property

If you are already receiving LHA then, providing your circumstances do not change, the lower amounts will not affect you until sometime after December 2011. We will write and let you know when this will be.

To help you plan for the changes next year, you can compare the current rates against what the new rates are likely to be for where you live, on the Valuation Office Agency website. You need to look at the figures under BRMA8 for Colchester.

April 2011

Adult members of your family may have to pay more towards your rent

If your benefit is reduced in respect of a non dependant deduction (a non dependant is either usually an adult son, daughter, parent or friend who lives with you as part of your family) the amount that they will be expected to pay may increase from April 2011. The amount they are expected to pay depends on their income. The rates are shown below.

(If either you or your partner receive either Attendance Allowance or the Care component of Disability Living Allowance there is no non dependant deduction).

Non Dependant deductions in Housing Benefit (HB) & Council Tax Benefit (CTB)

Deductions for non - dependants who either do not work or work less than 16 hours per week

Deductions for non - dependants, age 18+, who work more than 16 hours per week with a gross weekly income of:-

April 2011

If either you or your partner need overnight care and have a bedroom solely for the use of either a carer or different carers who live elsewhere, the changes to LHA scheme may mean that you can get help to pay for the extra bedroom.

Please either

• Telephone 01255 686811
  
• Text 'benefits overnight care' to 07797870450
  
• Email benefits@tendringdc.gov.uk
  
• Leave a comment on Facebook to find out if you can get more help.

April 2011

Many Changes to Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit. Please look at the HMRC website to find out how the changes will affect the amount of Tax Credit you are entitled to. If your tax credit changes it will normally change the amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you are entitled to. If this happens, let us know straightaway.

You can either

• Telephone 01255 686811
  
• Text 'benefits tax credits' to 07797870450
  
• Email benefitsmail@tendringdc.gov.uk
  
• Leave a comment on facebook to find out if you can get more help.

April 2011

LHA Payments to landlords. We will have more discretion to pay your LHA to your landlord if it will help you either secure a new tenancy or remain in your current home at a reduced rent.