Housing Benefit Apply Date

LibbyMitchell28

Hello,

I’m moving into a new flat in a few weeks (my contract starts on the 9th September) and I’m wondering when to apply for housing benefits? My first rent payment will come out on the 9th too so I’m hoping that the housing benefit can cover this. My work coach stated that I shouldn’t apply until the day that I move in, but that indicates that I wouldn’t be able to pay my first months rent with the housing benefit and I will struggle to pay the first months rent anyway without financial support.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you

poppy123456

You can't apply for housing benefit because it no longer exists for new claims for those under state pension age, unless you're either living in supported or temporary housing.

If you're claiming Universal Credit then rent will be included in this known as housing element. They are 2 completely different benefits.

You said your tenancy starts on 9th September so I'm assuming that's when you'll be moving in. This means that you would need to report the changes on the same day.

Your UC entitlement is based on your circumstances on the last day of each assessment period. What date do you usually receive your UC each month?

LibbyMitchell28

Thanks Poppy, that’s very helpful.

I was a little confused as on gov.uk website it states that you can claim 13 weeks in advance if you’re aged 60 and under? I’m renting from a private landlord (and get the daily living and mobility component of PIP) and it says that they will be sent a Housing verification costs form and I assume this takes a while to process. I just had hoped that the housing element of UC would cover my first rent payment and this would be set up the day I move into the new flat etc.

I’m concerned as my rent will need to be paid on the 9th and I would need financial support with this. I receive my UC on the 26th of every month.

Thanks for your help and feedback- it’s very helpful as always.

poppy123456

You're welcome. What you read applies to housing benefit, not UC housing element. You can't claim in advance for UC.

As you're renting from a private landlord they do not contact them directly, they only do this for social housing. You will need to provide proof of liability to pay rent such as a tenancy agreement.

With your UC payment date being 26th of the month, this means that your assessment periods are 20th to 19th of every month. Therefore your UC entitlement is based on your circumstances on the 19th of every month, which is the last day of your assessment period.

Your liability to pay rent starts from 9th September, which is in the middle of assessment period 20th August to 19th September so you will not receive any housing element until your payment on 26th September (unless you're already claiming for help with the rent) and this will be included on your monthly statement in September.

Have you looked at how much your housing element will be? Entitlement will be based on the Local Housing allowance for the area you live. If you're a single person then you'll be entitled the 1 bedroom rate of LHA, unless you need regular overnight care and then it will be the 2 bed rate of LHA. You can check the amounts here. It will be shown as a weekly amount so you need to work out the monthly amount.. times it by 52 and then divide by 12.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

Are you claiming for help with any rent at the moment?

LibbyMitchell28

This is great information, thank you Poppy! I’ve checked and the LHA rate that I’m entitled to will cover my monthly rent very easily which is good to know.

You mentioned about providing proof of liability to pay rent and I have a tenancy agreement already for the flat. Does this need to be scanned prior to uploading it to my UC account?

I’m not currently claiming help for rent at the moment- I’m living with someone who owns their own property so haven’t been getting any support for rent as I haven’t had to pay it. I now need my own space (for various reasons) so this is a new process for me. Is there a way that I could access any support to help me pay the first months rent on the 9th? I’ve had to pay for the flat deposit recently and with the monthly rent on top, it means that I’ll be financially struggling and unsure if I can actually pay it.

Thanks again Poppy!

poppy123456

You're welcome. It's good news that it will cover all of your rent because it's very rare for this to happen when privately renting.

When you report the changes you maybe asked to attend your local job centre with proof of liability. I don't think you will be able to upload it to your journal but I could be wrong. When my daughter claimed housing element back in January she lives in social housing with me so didn't need to provide any proof.

As you're not currently claiming help with housing costs then you won't be eligible for a discretionary housing payment from your local Authority. You need to actually be receiving help with the rent to be eligible. See link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

The problem here is that landlords want rent in advance but UC is paid 1 month in arrears. You will receive the housing element from assessment period 20th August to 19th September but of course it's not paid until 26th. 🙄

You can contact your local Authority to see if there's any other financial help they can provide. Tell them what's happened and that you're not currently claiming for help with any rent until next month but need some help with your first months rent.

Or when you report the changes to UC you'll be eligible for a change of circumstances advance payment but this will need to be repaid back and your future UC payments will be reduced.

Good luck with your new home and I hope you'll be very happy to finally have your own space. 😁