Housing benefits change for private tenants

Important changes to Housing benefit from January 2012    
For private tenants only    

The first thing that should be noted is that this change does not apply to local Authority or housing association rented properties. Also see below for exempted groups of claimants.      
 
If you claim benefits such as Income support Income related Job seekers allowance or ESA/ Incapacity benefit you will probably be entitled to maximum Housing benefit.   
However, if from January 2012 and from the date of your claim review, you pay rent to a private landlord and are under the age of 35, you will begin to be paid a housing benefit rate which will only cover the cost of renting shared accommodation.   
If you fall into this category it is most likely that you will find that your Housing benefit no longer meets the cost of your weekly rent.   

It is advisable to TAKE ACTION straight away. Either seek help or contact your housing benefit dept yourself to find out when your review date falls and how much your local housing office will pay at their shared accommodation rate.   
If you find that there is a shortfall in your weekly benefit then make a request for a DISCRETIONARY HOUSING PAYMENT. This may only be paid for a short period but could give you time to sort out a longer term solution.
To claim this you will need to fill out a special form which you can access by phoning or calling into your local council office. It may also be available to down load from their website.   

There are some groups of people who fall into the above category but because of their circumstance are exempt from this change. These are as follows:  
· You receive the middle or high rate of disability living allowance or otherwise prove that you need overnight care.  
· You are over 18 years and have been in care.  
· You are a parent.