I think I've been underpaid Housing Benefit

cazhow3770

Hi I hope someone can help, I have recently migrated from esa to universal credit and new style contribution based esa. I was given a run down of what i will get including housing benefit, I have been getting £161 per fortnight for the last 7 years but noticed the rate for my housing benefit is actually £102 per week, this was shown on my journal too it said i would get £445 per month, I have to top it up as my rent is £550. Can anyone clarify that the housing benefite of £161 per fortnight is actually wrong and if it is would my payment be backdated ? I'm finding this migration business very confusing and don't really understand why it has to change. Thank you in advance

Kimi87

Universal Credit is replacing 6 working age benefits including Housing Benefit.

As you are entitled to more Housing Element (UC) than Housing Benefit it would be worth investigating why and whether you were indeed underpaid. It may or may not be something you can persue a backdated payment for.

First you need to find out with Housing Benefit a breakdown of the previous payment, and why Universal Credit are paying an increased rate for you.

I'd recommend asking local welfare rights if you need assistance.

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Just for clarity, it's called Housing Element on UC.

Housing Benefit/Element is different for everyone. It's based on the LHA for your area and the amount of bedrooms that you're allowed due to your circumstances.

You can check your maximum LHA on this website:

Search for Local Housing Allowance rates by postcode or local authority : DirectGov - LHA Rates

Is it possible that you were being charged bedroom tax on the old Housing Benefit?

Has the rent increased since you first claimed 7 years ago but you didn't tell the council?

cazhow3770

The correct rate is £102 a week. I've checked but I've not been getting that.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1034234#Comment_1034234

Has your rent gone up since 7 years ago? If your rent was lower than the LHA when you first claimed, then the council might still have been paying based on the original rent.

Also, spare bedrooms can be calculated differently on Housing Element to Housing Benefit, so we need to know if there was any chance of a deduction due to a spare bedroom.

Housing Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks. Did you request it to be paid once a fortnight?