Hi, my name is pegasus4444! Will my rent be paid directly to my landlord after migration?

pegasus4444

I received my UC migration letter from income based ESA last week,I have till may 25th. I am in support group,and get sdp payment too,and housing benefit. Will I be able to have my rent paid directly to landlord,as it is now,as I do not manage money well

Kimi87

Yes, after you submit your application you will have access to your online UC account which is called the Journal.

You would write a note on your Journal (using Payment option) requesting that rent is paid directly to your Landlord.

You can also request payments twice a month- this won't be exactly two weeks apart. It does mean you have longer to wait to receive a full payment.

pegasus4444

Thankyou. But isn't the journal for job searchers. I'm in support group,so unable to work.

pegasus4444

Do all UC claimants have a journal? Regardless of what group they are in? I am in lcfwa and don't have to seek work,but will I still have a journal?

Kimi87

Yes everybody has the same online UC account, called the Journal.

pegasus4444

Great,thanks. And will I have to go without money for a period of time?

Kimi87

After you claim UC, ESA & HB will give one final payment around two weeks later, this isn't always the full amount.

3 weeks after that, you will be paid your first UC payment.

So around 5 weeks after your application.

If you've asked to be paid twice a month, this will only be half your award with the other half following 14-17 days later.

You can ask for an Advance payment, but this will need to be repaid from future payments.

Citizens Advice have a Help to Claim service, covering before, during and after the application.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

pegasus4444

Great, thanks so much👍