Local housing allowance?

[HL123]

I am going to be making a universal credit application soon and have a question regarding the housing benefit aspect.

I will soon be private renting a 1 bed property and will be having a baby, so I understand with me and the baby I’ll be eligible for the housing allowance of a 2 bed property.

If I’m living in a 1 bed property, will I still be able to receive the housing allowance for a 2 bed?

The reason being I’m struggling to find a 2 bed within the housing allowance.

I've called housing and the job centre but neither seem to know!

In my experience, yes you'll get the full allowance due to you. UC works based on your rent etc, and takes into consideration your LHA

Thankyou @TheFabledSnake

Yes, you definitely do. I live in a 2 bed but receive the 3 bed LHA entitlement (which annoyingly is still less than the cost of the 2 bed rent!)

Fab thanks so much @Tessaraqt

Really? Is this true? I know with housing benefit even if you had a two bed need but lived in a one bed you would only received the LHA rate for a one bed. Could @AnotherEmma or @Babyroobs advise?

That's interesting to hear. I'll be 'entitled" to the 3 bed rate in september but not planning on moving. Plus the 3 bed rate is still less than the rent on my 2 bed. But it would certainly make things a little easier!

It's one of the slightly bizarre quirks of UC that you get the LHA for the number of bedrooms you're entitled to, not the number you actually have, so if you're in a 1 bedroom flat but entitled to 2 bedrooms, you'll get the 2 bedroom LHA rate.

This is more generous than Housing Benefit which will only pay the LHA rate for the number of bedrooms you actually have even if you're entitled to more.

OP, have you applied for social housing? Demand is usually high and the wait is long, but it's still worth getting on the list.

Wow! I didn't realise that! Thank you for clarifying!

@AnotherEmma I have joined the LA housing register only a 5.5 year wait on average in my area!

Does the baby qualify for its own room from birth? Certainly in housing terms they don't count as needing a room until their 1st birthday before that they are to share with the parent(s)?

Yes you’re entitled to the LHA for a 2 bed property regardless whether you rent a 1 bed or 2 bed. You can only claim the value of the rent payable up to the max LHA rate.

Because LHA rates have been cut and frozen in recent years it’s a real struggle to find anywhere within the LHA rates. So lots of people living in smaller homes than they’re entitled to as it’s the only way it’s affordable.

@RandomMess my local authority regards a child under 1 needing a room. In fact a pregnant woman who is 24 weeks pregnant will be deemed as having a two bed need. Although I think this does vary according to each local authority.

Yes you will get 2 bed rate even if one bed, not ideal but I shared bedroom with dd until she was 14 and now I am in the lounge.
Not ideal but needs must.

2mummybear
My local authority is the same.