Under 25
Last updated | 21/02/2008
Government Legislation dictates that the amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit which single people under the age of 25 may qualify for, could be lower than for those who are 25 and over.
The main reason for this is that although there may be no differences between the circumstances of a single 24 year old and a single 25 year old, the minimum level of income which the Government states someone should have, is lower for someone under the age of 25.
The Government thresholds for the minimum amount of income that a single person can be expected to have is as follows:
- Single Person Under 25 - £46.85 per week;
- Single Person 25 and over - £59.15 per week.
This of course does not mean that this is the amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit you will qualify for, this figure is only used for the means tested calculation of your how much you may qualfy for.
If you have any concerns regarding this, please Contact Us for more information.
Renting from a Private Landlord
If you are single, under the age of 25 and you are renting or considering renting from a Private Landlord, this may also mean that you may qualify for less Housing Benefit than a single person over the age of 25 with the same circumstances as yourself.
This is because Government Legislation dictates that the maximum amount of Housing Benefit payable on your property may be restricted. We refer to this as Single Room Rent. Contact Us for more information on single room rent.
Deciding on the Maximum Amount Payable
When an application or a change of address is received for Housing Benefit for an address which is privately rented from a landlord, it is necessary for us to refer this property to the Rent Registration Service who will establish, after taking into account the property's size, condition and who will occupy this, what the maximum amount of Housing Benefit that could be paid for this property.
If it is decided that the maximum amount is lower than what you are required to pay the landlord, you will be required to pay the shortfall to your landlord.
Pre-Tenancy Determination
If you are considering renting a property from a private landlord but you are unsure of how much Housing Benefit you may qualify for at this address, you are always recommended to apply for a Pre-Tenancy Determination.
A Pre-Tenancy Determination is a request to Perth and Kinross Council to make a referral for the prospective property to the Rent Registration Service who will return advising of the maximum eligible rent for that property.
After a decision has been made, the prospective tenant will receive notification of the maximum eligible benefit. Please note - a Pre-Tenancy Determination does not guarantee that any application for Housing Benefit will succeed or, if it is awarded, how much will be paid. This will always depend on the individual circumstances of the tenant.
A Pre-Tenancy Determination form is required to be completed and signed by the prospective tenant. This is also required to be signed by the landlord of the property. A form for a Pre-Tenancy Determination can be obtained from our downloads on the right hand side of this page, by collection at any of our offices or by calling us on 01738 476049.
Discretionary Housing Payments
On 2 July 2001 a new scheme called Discretionary Housing Payments was introduced. Funds available under this scheme are limited.
Under the scheme, Local Authorities may be able to make extra payments for any claimant whose Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit is restricted and is, in need of additional help with housing costs. This additional help may only be for a short period of time to help with a particular period of financial difficulty. Before you can apply for a Discretionary Payment, you must be entitled to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit.
Contact us for more information.
More information
Further advice and welfare support is available if you require information or support on benefits or credits which you may be entitled to.
