UC Housing element

2

Comments

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    My rent is just under £170 and the link says per week £356.71 

    I do get daily living with PIPS, I guess I was wondering if this is what it is now or or ifs because rent is paid by HB till the 19th feb or a mistake.

    I guess I better make a note on the journal how would I say that ?

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    Done, just asked why there is a deduction to my rent and stated I get pips daily living.

    pffft

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    No idea why the reduction but I guess only they can answer that one hopefully.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing
    edited February 11

    Are you living in social/council housing or privately rented? If it's social housing then the LHA rates will not apply, they only apply to privately rented properties.

    If social housing you would be entitled to all of your rent, unless you have any spare bedrooms, or there's service charges included which are not paid by UC.

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 3,544 Championing
    edited February 11

    I'm aware Peter lives in social housing.

    I linked to the bedroom calculator as it can also be used to estimate bedroom entitlement for those of working age living in social housing.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    My comment wasn't for you, sorry I should have quoted Peter's comment that I was replying to. I couldn't remember whether they were in social housing or not.

    The reason for my comment was because of this comment from Peter.. "My rent is just under £170 and the link says per week £356.71." To me, this suggests that he used the LHA calculator rates, which do not apply here.

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    I’m social housing 3 children full time education one non dependant working (minimum wage) service charge is just 90p a week. And I get pips daily living.

    maybe just an error on their part but I’ve shot the question off to them.

    I wondering if it’s lower because rent is paid to the 19th feb. But the number don’t line up on a call too me.


    guess I’ll wait for the reply and hope an error as £130 a month Is not do able already a struggle.

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    also no spare rooms

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 3,544 Championing
    edited February 11

    Even though all the rooms are fully occupied, you might not be deemed as needing all rooms, depending on the ages and gender of children some will be expected to share etc rather than Housing Benefit or Housing Element paying for a room each.

    https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/how_many_bedrooms_you_can_claim_benefits_for

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    oo that’s just made me think they have only confirmed one of the child and not the other two .. maybe that has something to do with it possibly.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    Yes! That will definitely be what it is. Once the other children are verified your claim will be updated. It's perfectly normal at this stage for parts of your claim waiting to be verified.

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    I figured a piece out, that’s a first!

    I wish they had verified all children first before working out housing element! Been causing me a bit of stress.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    It's not unusual for them to verify in stages. I just didn't have my brain in working order to realise it could have been this.

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    With the amount of people you advise it must be job keeping track!

    I’m guessing once 2 of the children are verified the housing element gets adjusted automatically.. I will query it after they reply to last message about the rent

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    Yes, it's difficult at times. Sometimes I forget some information that people give and have to ask them to confirm something before I advise.

    Once something is verified your claim will be updated. It's early days for you yet and I'm sure everything will be fine.

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    Still no reply from them on the journal or updates. Not sure the time scales they take in replying ? Must have got lucky the first time with a next morning response!

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    It’s early days yet and you’ve only recently submitted your claim. Please try to relax, everything will be fine. There’s plenty of time before your first payment.

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    So just had a letter from my HA telling me I have to pay £709.10 a month my usual amount is £642.20 every 4 weeks on HB. They explained its a leap year and I have to pay an extra weeks rent.

    I can't understand the maths of that, how does paying £66.90 more a month equal a weeks rent is £160.55 that £66.90 x 12 equals an extra £802.80

    What am I missing here or not understanding.

  • peters77
    peters77 Online Community Member Posts: 165 Connected

    I didn't even understand its a leap year my calendar shows 28 days this month, starting to feel stupid!

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 3,544 Championing
    edited February 13

    The rent year runs April-April.

    In 2024 there were 53 mondays (rent days) instead of the usual 52.

    UC only pay 52 weeks rent, so the tenant has to pay the extra week.

    I was in the same position.

    To convert a weekly benefit to monthly you multiply by 52 then divide by 12. In this case it's multiply by 53.

    53 x £169.55 / 12 is £709.10.