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How does local housing allowance differ from housing benefit?

The main difference between the two types of Benefit is the way your rent is taken into account.

With housing benefit, details of the property and the amount you are paying in rent are sent to the Rent Service. They then make a decision as to what rent the property should be attracting. This value is then used to calculate your benefit entitlement instead of the amount you are actually paying.

For Local Housing Allowance, the rent service calculates standard rental values according to the rental market average for different size properties within your area.

For more information on these benefits please see our housing benefit and local housing allowance pages.

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Applying for benefits

• Can I apply for Benefits?
• How can I apply?
• How long will it take for my application to be processed?
• I don't want to send original documents in the post - what can I do?
• How much benefit am I entitled to?
• Can I apply online?
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Housing benefits

• How does LHA differ from Housing Benefits?
• I'm receiving Housing Benefits - when will my application move to LHA?

Local housing allowance

• How are the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates worked out?
• How does LHA differ from Housing Benefits?
• Can I appeal against the amount of LHA rates?
• What if the rent I pay doesn't match the LHA amount I receive?
• What happens if my rent changes?
• How many bedrooms am I entitled to under LHA rules?
• How do I know which BRMA I live in?

Change in circumstances

• I've moved address - what do I need to do?
• My income/capital has changed - do you need to know?
• I've informed the DWP about a change in my circumstances - will they tell you?
• What can I do if I don't agree with a decision?
• What if my hours change or I stop working?
• Do I need to inform you if my child care costs change?
• What is an overpayment and how does it occur?

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