Local housing allowance (LHA) is not a separate benefit. The LHA rates affect how much help with rent you can get when renting from a private landlord. It is used to work out both universal credit and housing benefit.
Unless you are living in temporary or supported accommodation you will be required to get help with housing costs from universal credit
If you are under the age of 35 you may only be entitled to the lower rate of universal credit or housing benefit for a room in shared accommodation if all of the following apply:
- you are a single person
- you are occupying shared accommodation or self-contained accommodation in the private rented sector
- you are not covered by any of the exemptions on sharing accommodation
You can check the current rates here.
LHA is not paid if you rent your home from a housing association or live in a caravan or boat.