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IsTransitional Protection Unfair for Housing Element of Universal Credit?

B1AVENGER

Is erosion of "transitional protection" unfair for certain cases?

I understand that yearly UC increases come of the protection and a few other things, so you are never any better off in real terms until its all gone.

However the housing element erosion seems very unfair.

If you have say £200 transition protection, then your rent goes up by say £200+ (greedy landlord) youd lose it all instantly?

I have a very cheap rent at the moment and would lose all transition protection if i moved literally anywhere as the rents would be way higher.

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Comments

OverlyAnxious

I'm sure this will be unpopular on here but I don't think it is unfair. You don't lose the money, it just goes towards your housing instead.

If you were working and on a fixed wage, then moved to a property that cost £200 more, you would have to pay that £200 from your existing wage. Your employer wouldn't give you another £200 to cover it.

I don't see how that's any different on UC.

B1AVENGER

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1042551#Comment_1042551

I do see your point. However many people would only move to a better or higher rented property if they could afford to, or if they had a change in wages or a new job maybe.

People on UC who need every penny, sometimes have to move or have a change of circumstace that's no fault of thier own, disabled reasons, partner dying, moving from abuse etc… that would force them into a higher rent and they'd lose transitional protection in the process.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1042565#Comment_1042565

I do appreciate that. I looked at moving to more suitable ground floor accommodation myself just this week. But as the rent would have been almost £200 more than my existing rent for an almost identical property, I can't do it. But I don't see how that's the fault of UC or even the government. If you want to blame anyone, blame the greedy landlords!

B1AVENGER

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1042568#Comment_1042568

It's not really about looking for someone to "blame", although we know who that is.

It's a question of if it's "fair" for someone to lose all their transitional protection in one swoop for a higher rent.

Some people get £800 rent and keep TP, where others may go from £400 to £600 rent and lose all thier TP.

It's maybe ok for everyone to lose a bit each year as UC rates go up, but for losing huge amounts over rent is just not on. And keeps people trapped in a flat etc that maybe not suitable.

It makes me want to move quick and get max rent before im migrated, so at least then i'd keep the TP.

Maybe not the way to think about it, but it's what the system makes you think.

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