Local Housing Allowance Rates for Carmarthen.

January 2011 to February 2012

Your Housing Benefit will be based on the Local Housing Allowance rate which applies to you. This will depend on the number of bedrooms you are allowed.

Allow one bedroom for*:

• every adult couple (married or unmarried)
• any other adult aged 16 or over
• any two children of the same sex aged under 16
• any two children who are under ten years old
• any other child (under 16)
• a carer (or team of carers) who do not live with you but provide you/your partner with overnight care

We do not count other rooms such as a living room, kitchen or bathroom.

The maximum allowance is for FOUR bedrooms.

Example: an adult couple with one child would need one bedroom for the couple, and one bedroom for the child. So we would use the two bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate to work out their benefit.

* Single people under 35 years old are allowed the one room shared accommodation rate. Single people over 35 years old and couples with no dependent children are allowed the rate for a one-bedroom property, for example a one bedroom flat or a studio or other kind of self-contained accommodation, provided they actually rent a property of at least this size.

NB: Your Local Housing Allowance rate can go up or down when your claim is reviewed at the anniversary of your claim.

For more information see leaflet HB(LHA)1 – Working out your Housing Benefit under the Local Housing Allowance arrangements .Or you can contact us:

• phone your Housing Benefit department on 01554 742100
• look on our website www.Carmarthenshire.gov.uk
• email us housing.benefit@Carmarthenshire.gov.uk
• visit your nearest customer service centre at:
  3 Spilman Street, Carmarthen
  Ty Elwyn, Llanelli
  Town Hall, Iscennen Road, Ammanford
• visit www.direct.gov.uk
• Write to us at Housing Benefit Section, 2nd Floor, Ty Elwyn, Llanelli,  SA15 3AP