Stockport housing benefit rates help

[HBquery]

Hello, I've name changed for this but have a query about housing benefit in Stockport and can't find the answer online. Well, not one that seems definite or likely.

I claim housing benefit as part of my universal credit. I have a 3 bed private rented property and 2 dc if the opposite sex. I'm a single parent and the dc are mid teens and below 10.

Last year the HB didn't increase in Stockport and was £749.99. I'm trying to find out if it's increasing this year because my rent has increased by £100. HB doesn't cover all the rent.

Looking at the info online says that this coming tax year the rate for a 4 bed will be £899.99 which is a huge increase.

Does anyone know if this is correct? Maybe the benefit cap will take most of it back off anyway.

Before anyone lays into me about benefits it's because I'm a single parent who is also a full time carer to an elderly parent.

Stockport no longer deal with anything by phone and their website only gives the rates for the current year.

www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-housing-allowance-indicative-rates-for-2024-to-2025/indicative-local-housing-allowance-rates-for-2024-to-2025

gov.uk gives the above info but seems too good to be true.

Can anyone advise please? TIA

Anyone?

Bumping in hope. No reply to my email from the council so I'm frustratingly not getting anywhere.

The lha rates are going up this year for the first time in many years, I think its about 6 years since they increased, I haven't seen the details yet, but they will be published shortly

Thank you. The info says it's going up from £749 to £899 which seems a crazy jump. I'm hoping it true because my rent has increased way beyond the rate. I want to be sure if it before I celebrate. It's annoying the council haven't got back to me.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2024-to-march-2025

Why are you looking at 4 bed rates if you are only eligible for 3 bed rate or am I misunderstanding?

Actually that is for housing benefit, if you get UC you'll get housing element, not HB. There is a link on the front sheet to the UC tables, I haven't looked into what the differences will be.

Typo @Babyroobs, sorry. It's a 3 bed.

I miss the days of being able to phone places instead of emailing and waiting weeks for a reply.

Just a thought also you may be eligible to apply for a discretionary housing payment which could help with your shortfall in rent it's definitely worth looking into!!

@endlesslystandingonlego I can't seem to access that on my phone properly but the figures I can see don't tally for previous years so I think it's the universal credit one I need which I've just found here:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ba5f24c75d30000dca0fce/england-rates-2024-to-2025.csv/preview

Stockport isn't listed separately but seems to come under southern Manchester and this table shows that the figure is £900 a month for a 3 bed. I'll be so relieved if it is. My earning potential is zilch due to current circumstances. It won't always be but for now it is.

Indicative Local Housing Allowance rates for 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Hope this is helpful.

Thank you. I've left a message in my UC journal in the hopes of having a definite answer soon.

UC have replied and yes it's correct so a jump of £150 a month! Feels like Christmas 😃 I'm now less worried about the rent going up and my ex dropping maintenance. Thanks to everyone who posted!

Hi I came across your thread as I'm looking at the same thing but in different areas. I'm currently in gorton which isn't the best place tbh, that's rising yo 875 which is great but other areas like hyde or Dukinfield fall under different lha, I think there's is only 600 per month which is shocking considering rent is way over 900 pounds.
I've been in my house for 15 years and it's just getting me down now. There's a ton of repairs that need doing. Mould broken gates mice the list goes on. Luckily my rent is very cheap 450 per month that was the rent when I moved In. She will he upping the rent soon but with so many repairs that need doing I'm just fed up and looking online for other options but there all so expensive. 1400 for a 3 bedroom house. I am only entitled to a 2 bed. Eldest is 14 and youngest is 6. I'm aware they can share but due to their age gap it just wouldn't work. So I'd want a 3 there just so expensive. My landlord turned my 2 into a 3 which was a bad move as little ones room can only fit a bed in, no furniture at all. Eldest room is clogged up with a chimney breast and closet so with his furniture it's very crammed. It's that small he can only have his bed infrtont of the window. It's just to small for them and onto of the repairs it's seriously getting me down.
Kitchen is falling apart. Mice crawling all over everything landlord csme and said they would fill holes. This was a week ago I've had them months! Kitchen draws are rotten now and fallen off as it's 15 years old but they can't afford a new kitchen. Just really getting me down atm 😭

I think you'd be better off starting your own thread. You'll get a better response to your particular problem