Housing Benefit & Council Tax Support

To work out how much Local Housing Allowance you will be entitled to you will need to know which BRMA your property is in-see which BRMA applies to me?

You then need to work out how many rooms your family needs.

One bedroom is allocated to every single adult or adult couple.

An additional bedroom will be allocated for:

• Any other person over the age of 16
• Any two children under the age of 10
• Any two same sex children under the age of 16
• Any other child.

Example:

A couple with 2 male children under the age of 16 will be entitled to 2 bedrooms.

Single claimants under the age of 25 will be entitled to the 1 room with shared facilities LHA

When you have worked out how many bedrooms you need, go to which BRMA applies to me? to work out which rate is applicable to you.
Remember

Once you have worked out your LHA this will be the maximum that you can receive. The amount may be reduced due to the amount of income and capital that you have. To calculate your final amount please use the benefits calculator.

Some tenancies are exempt from LHA. These are:

• Tenancies with Registered Social Landlords (housing associations)
• Tenancies that began before 15th January 1989
• Supported Housing
• Caravans, houseboats, mobile homes and hostels
• If the rent officer decides that a large part of your rent includes meals.

There are a number of benefits available that can help with the special needs of disabled customers. Check these links for further information:

• Disability and Sickness Benefits
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) previously Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer's Allowance

Other help is also available for example:

Blue Badge Scheme

For information on this scheme go to the Disabled Person Car Badge page.

Council Tax Reductions

If you, or someone who lives with you, need a room, an extra bathroom or kitchen, or extra space in your property because you use a wheelchair indoors, you may be entitled to a reduced council tax bill.

For more information see our Council Tax pages.

Concessionary Fares

You may also be entitled to travel concessions.  Check and see.

An overpayment can happen if we pay you benefit that you are not entitled to. For example, if you didn't tell us that your income had increased, and a recalculation of your benefits meant that you had been paid too much benefit.

We will send you a letter if we give you too much benefit. The letter we send you will tell you:

• Why you were awarded too much benefit
• How much the overpayment is
• If you have to pay back the amount
• How you can appeal if you think this is wrong          

If the overpayment relates to Housing Benefit and Housing Benefit is no longer in payment the overpayment is recovered via invoice. If the overpayment relates to council tax support, we will send you a revised council tax bill, and you will usually have to pay more council tax.

If you have received an invoice for the repayment of an overpayment and you are unable to repay this in full please contact us as soon as possible on 03004 560 560 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to discuss a payment arrangement.

If you fail to make payment or contact us or to discuss further, we will consider the following recovery actions.

Direct Earning Attachment

A deduction from 3% to 20% can be taken from your net wages, no Court action is required for this action.

Table A: Where earnings are paid weekly

Amounts to be deducted by employers under direct earnings attachment

Amount of Net Earnings	Deductions Rate (% of Net Earnings)
Less than £100	Nil
Exceeding £100 but not exceeding £160	3%
Exceeding £160 but not exceeding £220	5%
Exceeding £220 but not exceeding £270	7%
Exceeding £270 but not exceeding £375	11%
Exceeding £375 but not exceeding £520	15%
Exceeding £520	20%

Table B: Where earnings are paid monthly

Amounts to be deducted by employers under direct earnings attachment

Amount of Net Earnings	Deductions Rate (% of Net Earnings)
Less than £430	Nil
Exceeding £100 but not exceeding £690	3%
Exceeding £160 but not exceeding £950	5%
Exceeding £220 but not exceeding £1160	7%
Exceeding £270 but not exceeding £1615	11%
Exceeding £375 but not exceeding £2240	15%
Exceeding £2240	20%

Attachment of Benefits

The local authority can request deductions to be taken from ongoing housing benefit award or from benefits/payments received from DWP such as Universal Credit, State Retirement Pension, Maternity Allowance for a full list please visit Benefit overpayment recovery guide.

Enforcement Agents

The outstanding balance can be referred to external Enforcement Agents for collection.

Apply to the County Court for a Tribunal Award or County Court Judgment (CCJ)

If a Tribunal Award is granted this may lead to Bankruptcy Proceedings against you or an application for a Charging Order being obtained against your property.

A Tribunal Award may affect your future credit rating and costs incurred added to the amount you owe.

Financial Circumstances Form

If you wish to set a payment arrangement but are currently in financial difficulty, please complete our financial circumstances form for us to review your circumstances.