Housing benifet nasty shock

ricky1040

Hi all,

Recently I have been going through the "dreaded" migration from legacy benifets to universal credit.

I have to admit this far it was ok. A pain to have to do but understandable and straightforward.

BUT. I now have noticed that you end up being responsible for 2 weeks rent that is not covered by either universal credit or housing benifet. I honestly though that couldn't be the case. But I researched and it really is the case.

I am getting the advance payment which I have to pay back and I'll cover it with this. But it's a sneaky wee underpayment I didn't see coming.

I assume you all have had a similar issue. What's your take on it? Maybe I'm being a brat and should be grateful I get help at all. I dunno. I don't mean to be entitled. But I am struggling as is and two weeks extra rent to pay is harsh I think. But hey ho I'll have to find a way.

Kimi87

It's because UC is paid monthly in arrears, which means once the first payment arrives it doesn't put your rent account a whole month into credit, instead it will be 2-3 weeks in arrears.

It very much depends on what kind of arrangement your landlord is happy with. Some are fine with the account being in arrears. Others set up a payment plan to pay off the arrears a little at a time. Others want the account in credit immediately.

ricky1040

Maybe I am ok then. I assumed when they claim on my rent account that I'm in arrears it's due immediately.

Kimi87

You need to speak to your landlord and see what arrangements they want to make with regards to payment.

ricky1040

Thanks for Ur input. I guess the read print in arrears spooks me out. But if it has to be this way so be it.

ricky1040

I'm a council tennant. I'm assured it's ok

Kimi87

I also live in council housing, my landlord has tenants set up a payment plan to pay a little off the arrears regularly until they are paid off.

I could afford to pay in full upfront so did that, it was much easier as my first UC payment put my account one month in credit.

I then later paid a further week as it seems my payment date occasionally causes some awkwardness for those 5 Monday months. They were fine with it but I wasn't 😊

ricky1040

I'll sort something out. Apparently my housing association don't expect it in advance. So I'm fine.

Andi66

My uc is for 7th November, so I contacted my housing association and they have set up a direct debit so I could pay a small amount towards my rent for that period of time while I'm waiting for it to be done. I'm moving to uc next month

SweetTooth

Hi all.
I’ve just filled my migration form. Do I apply for Housing Benefit straight away or do I wait for my UC to start? Confused.

Kimi87

Housing Benefit ends once you claim UC.

Help with rent will instead be via Housing Element paid under UC, unless you live in sheltered or supported housing.

ricky1040

And your rates aren't covered by it you need to claim a rates rebate

ricky1040

My housing association is apparently pay in arrears so I should be ok paying mine with my first UC payment. I emailed them and they seemed to confirm this