Energy Bill Support scheme – Alternative Funding
We have been advised that the Government intend to launch a new Energy Bill Support scheme in January 2023.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the way we work out Housing Benefit for tenants who rent their homes from a private landlord. This scheme was introduced from 7 April 2008 and any claims made from this date have their Housing Benefit calculated using the Local Housing Allowance. If you are were an existing customer and had a change address or room, or had a break in your claim, your new entitlement will be based on Local Housing Allowance.
Central Government has stated that there are a number of key aims for the Local Housing Allowance such as:
There are a few tenancies that will be exempt from the Local Housing Allowance, such as:
Although the regulations state that payments of LHA should be paid direct to the tenant, local authorities have a local ‘Safeguarding Policy’ whereby applications can be made, and considered, to pay LHA to the landlord and there are certain circumstances where the we will consider paying the landlord direct - these include where a tenancy has been secured or retained based on the Housing Benefit being paid direct to the landlord.
You can calculate how many bedrooms under the LHA calculation your household would be entitled to.
The current Local Housing Allowance Rates for all bedroom sizes / requirements in the West Lindsey area can be found by entering the postcode of your property or a property that you are considering renting on the Valuation Office Agency: Local Housing Allowance Rates website.