New rent agreement - no response almost a month later

needhelp120

Hello I just need some advice. I get paid on the 22nd of each month. Last month on the 22nd which is also the day I pay my rent, I paid my new rent price. This same day I updated my rent details and uploaded evidence (the new tenancy agreement and letter of residence) to the UC website of my new rent. I read that you are supposed to report the change on the day of the change. It’s now almost a month later and I’ve received no reply saying they’ve accepted or approved my new rent. This will be the second month now paying the new rent amount. If nobody checks my account before the 22nd (when I receive my UC) does this mean I won’t be paid the correct new amount? Should I leave a message asking for someone to look. I’m on LCWRA and nobody seems to ever look at my account, it takes weeks if not months to get a response. Feel a bit helpless. Thanks.

longtallsally67

hi

have you tried to call them to find out? When I’ve had no response within a day I’ve always called them and got through pretty quick, and both times my issue was resolved/anwered there and then. Thev can also flag it as urgent so you get a response before 6pm the same day.

poppy123456

They don't usually reply saying it's been accepted when you report changes to your rent. Whether you're entitled to extra money for the rent will depend on your circumstances. If entitled your housing element will just increase on your next statement, which should be any day now, if your UC payment date is 22nd.

If you're privately renting then housing element will be based on the Local Housing Allowance and for most people this is usually less than what your rent actually is.

If living in social/council housing then all of your rent will be covered, unless you have spare bedrooms. Or there's service charges on your rent which may not be covered by housing element.

Which one are you living in? privately rented or social housing? It's unusual for social housing to increase the rent this time of year.

needhelp120

@poppy123456 My payment statement for the last period just got uploaded and it is still showing the old rent price unfortunately. I'm not really sure why. Like it says that I told them my rent is the old price.

I am privately renting. My housemate who is also on UC uploaded at the same time and his payments have changed to reflect the new rent so there is no reason mine shouldn't. I am on PIP so have a larger LHA so it should still cover the new price.

I'm unsure why they aren't reflecting the new rent.

poppy123456

I’d advise you to check the rates for your area here. You will be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate if you’re a single person. (If under 35 and PIP includes daily living rate) https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

needhelp120

@poppy123456 Thanks for your help but I already have used that and I am entitled to quite a lot more than my actual rent is, so it shouldn't be a problem. I double checked this with UC before I got my new tenancy agreement. It just seems like they aren't even acknowledging that my rent has changed. I have encountered this problem before and then eventually been back-payed my rent months later , it's just frustrating to have to pay rent for months out of money for food for them to eventually fix the payment.