Local Housing Allowance and direct payment - giving claimants a choice

By: Francesca Albanese and Anne Baxendale
Published: October 2009

Local Housing Allowance and direct payment - giving claimants a choice

Most Local Housing Allowance (LHA) claimants have no choice over whether their benefit is paid to them or paid directly to their landlord. New Shelter research reveals that the presumption of direct payment to tenants is increasing cases of rent arrears and discouraging landlords from accepting LHA claimants as tenants.