Rent and uc migration

peters77

quick query about the 3 week period housing benefit stops

if I pay for that myself will my first uc payment be minus that amount ? Or will I get the full amount.

I don’t want to ask for an advanced payment If possible.

I was thinking of using a credit card and then paying it back once I get the first payment

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

As you're renting from social housing, it's probably best to ask them how they prefer the migration to be handled. They may accept the wait until the first payment comes through.

If you're not asking for the rent to be paid directly to the landlord then you will get the full amount of UC. It does not make any difference to UC whether you chose to pay for the intermediate rent or not.

Kimmy87

What my local council does is wait for the first UC payment, then the tenant sets up a payment plan with them (council), to pay a little off the 3 weeks arrears each week, until the balance is zero.

peters77

ok sounds like I had better ask them directly.

when do you ask UC to pay social housing landlord directly ?

Kimmy87

You can leave a note on your Journal requesting this at any time.

peters77

do you have to give any reasons or is this entirely up to you if you would prefer they pay directly ?

Seems to make sense and would get to the housing association directly rather than going through me and make sure I don’t accidentally spend rent money. Then I know what’s in my account is for food bills etc

Kimmy87

I don't believe you have to give a reason.

peters77

So I had a conversation with the housing team today and they said from the date of submitting my claim there is a 2 week run on with housing benefit and two weeks from that date they expect payment in full every week until payment from UC is received and said if UC take longer than 5 weeks its your problem not ours and rent is due and we expect it. The lady said 5 weeks is a timeline and they are seeing people waiting longer and ending up in deep arears. Lovely.

Wasn't particularly nice about it. pffft. It was a pay your rent or else kind of attitude. Bit harsh but ok.

I guess I got my answer.

peters77

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/972349#Comment_972349

So if I ask for the rent to be paid directly will it only pay whats due and not what I've paid leaving me 3 weeks rent out of pocket ?

Or would it be best to let them pay me and then I pay the housing then request them to pay my housing directly ?

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/972981#Comment_972981

When you receive your UC payment each month it will be for 1 months money because UC is paid 1 month in arrears. This includes your first months payment, it will be for 1 months money.

If you ask them to pay your landlord directly it will be paid once a month and your usual UC payment date.

As advised you will not be 3 weeks out of pocket.

Whatever you choose to do it is your choice.

peters77

Hi Poppy

so if I ask them to pay directly to the landlord or not I will receive the full amount ?

Have a lovely weekend!

poppy123456

The housing element will be the same whether it's paid to you or straight to your landlord.

peters77

ahh great I thought they may ask the balance and only pay the remaining if I paid 3 weeks upfront.

poppy123456

No because you still have a liability to pay rent. The 2 week run on for housing benefit does not affect your UC entitlement and you will still be entitled to the 1 months housing element.