UC and couples in house share.

rebelrebel

Hi everyone. Could anyone give advice on what UC pay towards house share for a couple wishing to move in together. I'm on UC standard rate plus housing element, and Lcwara. My partner works 37.5 hours per week, wage £408.62 weekly. Not sure how UC works when bills are included in the £650 pm rent.

Thankyou, hope you're all doing good today.😀

poppy123456

As a couple you’ll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of Local Housing Allowance, assuming it’s privately rented. You can see the rates here https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

If there’s a shortfall of rent then you’ll need to pay that yourself.

As you have LCWRA then your claim will include the work allowance. This means that earnings of £404/month will be ignored. For every £1 of earnings received over that amount your UC reduces by 55p.

How much your UC reduces to because of their earnings will depend on how often they are paid, monthly, 4 weekly etc. UC entitlement is based on net earnings received each month.

You can use a benefits calculator and put both of your details into it to see what it comes out with. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/

rebelrebel

Thanks, does the landlord have to give UC a breakdown of what's rent and then what bills are? Surely they don't pay the whole £650 rent if it's including utilities etc.

Thanks for your help

poppy123456

You shouldn't need to provide those details. For UC Housing Element in a Private rental you will get the lower of either the actual rent, or the 1 bedroom LHA.

Many people have to top up their rent when privately renting because it's rare that your housing element will cover the whole of your rent.

Please use the link I provided to check what the rate is. You will need to covert it to monthly because it will be a weekly amount.