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Help please rent arrears on universal credit

galactic1961

I'm so stressed out.

I've applied for UC and I can see it takes 5 weeks to migrate.It states they will pay 2 weeks rent then stops?does everyone get in rent arrears?what about the other 3 weeks of migration.Also do I have to report to a coach every month?Who dreamed this nonsense up.My anxiety is through the roof.its too much for me.

Thank you all help would be appreciated

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Kimi87

For rent you have a few options.

Firstly speak to your Landlord and see what they are happy with. Most are used to tenants on UC now.

Pay those three weeks yourself, so each UC payment puts your account 4 weeks into credit. I did this as I was able to and it was much easier.

Set up a payment plan with your LL, paying a little off the arrears each time, so eventually each UC payment puts your account 4 weeks into credit.

Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to cover those 3 weeks.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

Are you migrating from legacy benefits? If so which ones please?

Lauren29

When you apply for UC you are able to apply for an Advance Payment and could use part of this to pay the rent so that you don't fall into arrears. If you don't do this and don't any savings to cover the rent then you will fall into arrears. If you rent from your local council or a housing association you may have a tenancy officer and they may be able to make an arrangement for you to pay off the arrears gradually.

You may need to attend the Job Centre or talk to a work coach but this will depend whether you are expected to look for work. Can you say a little more about why you have applied for UC and whether you have moved across from other benefits?

MyHappy256

Firstly I live in a Council property with housing benefit prior to migration and like you am migrating to UC.

You probably got the same notification I got from Housing benefit to say that housing benefit ended and they only pay 2 weeks in advance, as I normally get my housing benefit paid directly to the landlord, I requested the same for UC and got this response

"For universal credit to action your request and make direct payments to your landlord, we need to record your tenancy ID or reference number. Please ask your landlord to provide universal credit with this information. They can do this by applying for a managed payment to Landlord using the apply for direct rent payment service on https://gov.uk (opens in new tab)"

Like you I have also been worried that there will being a shortfall between the end of housing benefit 9 July + 2 weeks and the new UC payment date of 15 August.

The council rents department have confirmed that the rent element of UC will be paid directly to them.

On my UC it says that, You can apply for an advance payment if you need to borrow money before your first payment. You must apply before 8 August 2025.

On 11 August 2025 we will tell you how much you are going to get.

I am thinking of paying the 2 weeks in advance myself rather than borrowing money from DWP, just because I don't want to owe them anything, but it seems you can borrow the advance from UC, either way, seems like I need to pay the money in advance for the shortfall and then UC payment will include the shortfall in the payment?

galactic1961

Thanks to you all for quick replies.Up until yesterday I was getting full housing benefit,esa work related with full disability premium and in the support group.im also on ten years p.i.p with 6 years left.I will call housing association tomorrow and UC.I will need to get rent paid directly.I will put 3 weeks rent aside just in case I need to pay it and I will also not borrow from dwp.Appreciated thank you.

Kimi87

UC is paid monthly in arrears, based on your circumstances for the previous calender month known as the Assessment Period.

Each UC payment is for the previous AP.

My AP ends 25th, payment 2nd.

So my August 2nd payment will be for June 26-July 25 AP.

Kimi87

"esa work related with full disability premium and in the support group"

It's not clear to me which ESA group you are migrating from.

Your ESA status will transfer automatically and give you the UC equivalent (LCW for WRAG or LCWRA for Support Group).

If LCWRA you won't have any work commitments or any meetings with a work coach.

You may need an appointment to verify ID in person.

galactic1961

I get it thank you. Calling my housing association tomorrow because I refuse to have any debts with anyone.Sll I'm hoping is they don't give me a hard time as I'm really unwell.appreciate you

galactic1961

Income-related Support group

I get disability premium top up

Thank you

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Kimi87

Yes, UC is paid monthly in arrears. So each payment is for the previous calender month of 30 days.

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