Housing Benefit changes to hit single adults from January 2012

There will be significant reductions in the housing benefit available to single people aged between 18-35 years from January 2012.

The Government will only pay Shared Accommodation rate in future for people falling into this age range unless there are exceptional circumstances.

There is a real concern that many claimants are unaware of the changes and many landlords are unaware as well. The changes will force single people into shared accommodation. This is not as straightforward as it may seem. Many single people are divorced or seperated and have children. How will they manage to keep up contact with their children once forced to share their home with strangers?

This policy is ill considered and will force thousands of people to leave their home. 

The proposals are anticipated to go through the House of Commons in December 2011 and South Kesteven District Council will start implementing the changes from January 2012.

Full details of the changes can be viewed through the Department of Work and Pensions link

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/sar1.pdf