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Benefits · April 2024 freeze

Local Housing Allowance Calculator

LHA is the cap on the housing element of Universal Credit for private renters. It depends on your area and how many bedrooms your household qualifies for.

£

Weekly housing help

£161.50

≈ £700/month towards rent.

Breakdown

  • Entitlement: 2-bed
    LHA weekly cap
    £162
  • Weekly rent
    £200
  • Shortfall (from your own pocket)
    −£39
  • Weekly help
    £162

How we calculated your result

We work out your bedroom entitlement under the LHA size criteria, then look up the cap for the broad rental market area band. Your weekly help is the lower of your actual rent and the cap.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • Couple = 1 bedroom. Each other adult gets 1 bedroom.
  • Two children under 10 share a bedroom regardless of gender.
  • Two same-sex children 10–15 share; mixed-sex 10+ each get their own.
  • Anyone 16+ gets their own bedroom.
  • Single under-35 generally gets the shared accommodation rate only.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ BRMA boundaries are weird

    Look up your postcode at gov.uk/lha-direct — neighbouring streets can fall into different BRMAs with very different caps.

  • ⚠ Frozen rates

    LHA rates didn’t rise in April 2025 — they sit at April 2024 levels. Many areas have rents rising faster than the cap.

  • ⚠ Shortfall = your problem

    Anything above the LHA cap comes from your standard allowance. If you can’t cover it, apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

Frequently asked questions

What if my rent is below the cap?
You get your actual rent paid. The cap only kicks in when rent exceeds it.
Can I get a Discretionary Housing Payment?
Yes — apply at your local council for short-term top-ups when LHA doesn’t stretch. Pots are limited.
Does this work for social housing?
No — social tenants are subject to the bedroom tax / size criteria, not LHA. Different rules apply.

Sample rates by area band. Always confirm the exact LHA rate for your postcode at gov.uk/lha-direct.

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