5 week rent months universal credit..

tsamuels

Hi guys

So, I’m on universal credit with LCWRA as I’m disabled, nearly a year ago now I moved into a new build with a housing association via the council bidding list, UC have been paying my rent monthly, my rent is charged weekly but that hasn’t been an issue until last month. As it was a 5 week month, UC only paid 4 and I was out of pocket over £220 which is a lot for me, when contacting them they told me they can’t do anything as they pay a monthly rate and that’s it. But upon googling I see they pay 52 weeks of rent a year which works out at 13 months - essentially covering multiple 5 week months of the year. Is this right? Can I argue this? Has anyone else had this? I’m super worried as it’s another 5 weeker next month and I can’t afford to pay out of pocket again. Thank you in advance x

poppy123456

When working out your housing element they will divide the weekly rent amount by 52 and then divide by 12 to get the monthly amount. 

UC is a monthly benefit so when your rent is paid it will be a monthly amount and not 5 weeks, it’s how UC works. I don’t think there’s anything to argue here. 

Kimmy87

As said UC pays rent calculated monthly.

Example using approximated figures:

My rent is 314 for 4 weeks
(78.56 X4) 
UC pay me 340 monthly. 
(78.56 X 52 /12)
I send the whole amount to my rent account monthly. 
By the time a 5 week month rolls round, the excess in my rent account covers that 5th week. 


HOWEVER

The upcoming rent year (April-April) has 53 weeks, UC will only pay 52 weeks rent, so tenants will be required to find 1 weeks rent this year.
You can contact your HA to see what kind of payment arrangement they will accept.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/money-matters/5019174-53-week-rent-year-universal-credit-will-not-pay

tsamuels

Understood, thanks ladies