Housing options for young people
Help with money
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit can help with rent and council tax payments for people on low incomes. Housing Benefit is also known as a rent rebate for council tenants and as a rent allowance for other tenants.
Local Housing Allowance
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the name given to the way Housing Benefit is calculated for people who rent from a private landlord. (Some exceptions apply.) The LHA room rate that you are entitled to depends on the size of your household. You are allowed one bedroom for:
- Every adult couple
- Any other adult aged 16 or over
- Any two children (under 16) of the same sex
- Any two children of the opposite sex under 10
- Any other child (under 16)
Local Housing Allowance information for under 25s.
If you are single with no dependents and under 25, you will receive a shared room rate even if you do not have shared facilities.
This rule for under 25s excludes single parents, council or housing association tenants, those with severe disabilities, those living with a partner, civil partner or spouse and those under 22 who have spent time in care since the age of 16.
Housing benefit information for those leaving care
Social Services must by law support care leavers financially until they are 18, including accommodation costs. 16 - 17 year olds who have left care will probably not be entitled to housing benefit
Care leavers can claim housing benefit once they are 18 if they are no longer in full-time education. They will be exempt from the single room rent rule affecting other privately renting under 25s until their 22nd birthday.
For care leavers up to the age of 24 in full-time further education, social services will provide accommodation during university/college holidays if usual term-time accommodation is not available.
Housing benefit information for students
Most full-time students in higher education are not entitled to housing benefit, unless they:
- Have a disability
- Are responsible for children
- Are under 19 and in non-higher education (e.g. A Levels)
- Receive income support or job seekers allowance
Visit the Benefit Pages (http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/homepage/96/benefits) for more information including how to claim, current Local Housing Allowance rates and an online benefit calculator which can work out your entitlement.
