universal credit housing element

jjdd70

hi all when i have to migrate over from income support housing benefit to uc my question is i asked on another platform but think they are wrong

Question is i know the housing benefit and income support will run for 2 weeks after i claim but then when the uc is completed do they pay my housing from after the 2 weeks and unto been paid uc? because someone on another plate form said i have to pay my housing council the missing weeks until i get paid?which seems wrong

Kimmy87

Each UC payment is based on your circumstances for the previous calender month, known as the assessment period.

So if you claimed today your AP would be 7th to 6th each month, with a payment date of 13th.

That means April 13th you would be paid for AP 7th March to 6th April.

Due to the gap between the HB run on payment and first UC payment, there would be arrears of 3 weeks on your rent account.

Some local authorities offer a payment plan, where you pay little extra each week until the arrears are cleared and then each UC payment puts you a month into credit.

I myself paid the 3 weeks outright as I could afford it, found it easier budgeting wise and didn't want my account in arrears even temporarily.

jjdd70

so not only been told to claim uc the government expect claimants to get into debt to pay housing for 3 weeks then after that period it will be paid to my local housing so its not backdated even if i was on housing benefit before hand

Kimmy87

You mentioned a Discretionary Housing Payment on another comment, it's definitely worth applying.

jjdd70

but i found this on google

When migrating to Universal Credit, you typically receive your existing Housing Benefit for an additional two weeks after applying, meaning you do not need to worry about paying the remaining weeks as this is automatically factored into the transition process; you will not be expected to pay the remaining weeks of Housing Benefit separately as it is considered part of the transition period and will not affect your Universal Credit amount. 

Kimmy87

UC Housing Element is first paid 5 weeks after applying, and monthly thereafter.

UC is paid one month in arrears. So even with a two week run on for HB, your rent account will always be in arrears unless they are paid off.

My social housing landlord won't accept an account always being in arrears due to the UC payment cycle.

As I said, some local authorities (including mine) offer a payment plan, where you pay little extra each week until the arrears are cleared and then each UC payment puts you a month into credit.

Other areas are more flexible. You should talk to your Landlord about what they want you to do (if anything).

jjdd70

so when i apply how long after would i know if im entilled to the 3 bedrooms housing element

becuase that would mean the first 2 weeks run in would be 3 bedroom house rent paid but then how long before i would know if im enticed to the 3 bedroom allowance due to our situation

Kimmy87

It would be your first UC payment statement, which is available 4-6 days before your payment date.

After you apply you'll need to write on your Journal with regards to your bedroom allowance and why you qualify for an extra bedroom to be paid for.

Entitlement isn't transfered from Housing Benefit, it has to be re applied for essentially.