Anxious - Went on holiday for 7 days and didn’t know I had to tell them on LCWRA, have a case review

sunflower1997

Hi,

I’m feeling really anxious. I have a case review, I get anxious really easily so I’ve been googling a few things about my bank statements that I worry could be brought up in my review. I went on holiday to Spain for 7 days. Because it was less than 28 days and didn’t affect my payments and because I don’t have work commitments, I didn’t think I had to inform anyone. When I got put on LCWRA in December they didn’t inform me what I still had to keep up to date with (apart from the obvious stuff I already know about that affects payments), and with my epilepsy and mental health it affects my memory and administrative tasks and information overload leads to confusion.
Along with that, I also realised I was suppose to inform them of rent increases from my landlord, I didn’t know this either. I thought my housing benefit was capped and because I was still regularly paying him every month I didn’t think I had to do anything. My rent increased 18 months ago!! So I think I’ve been underpayed for that long!

Will I get in trouble for both of these things? Or my benefit stopped/suspended? And will they not give me backdated payments because it was my fault I didn’t inform them? Especially worrying because it’s Christmas coming up if they stop my payments. Please help, I hate doing things wrong :(

Rachel_Scope

Hi @sunflower1997. It's important to tell them when anything changes so that you're being paid the right amount. Here's some information on reporting a change of circumstances which includes rent changes - https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances

It states that:

"You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month.

You need to report changes as soon as they happen. Any delay may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment."

In your case, if the rent has gone up then I can't see there being an issue of any overpayment, however it does also mention that you can be penalised but I don't know how common that is and whether your situation would count. I'm sure there'll be some members here who have experience of this who can put your mind at ease.

With regards to the holiday, you are supposed to let them know but lots of people go abroad without telling UC if it's just for a week or 2.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

If it's private rental then you are capped at the LHA rate. (Local Housing Allowance).

You should still tell UC when your rent increases, but if you are already at or above the LHA rate then they won't pay any extra.

It's only people in social housing who get full rent paid. The LHA doesn't apply to them.

sunflower1997

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085250#Comment_1085250

Hi,

it’s a private rental, I checked and I haven’t reached the capped amount for my area yet even with my rent increase..so I have been underpayed…

But not sure if I’ll be in trouble or not, or have my payments stopped for not knowing to update them of this as I had no idea I was due more support with it…

Also with the 1 week holiday…

Kimi87

When you report the new rent amount, and put the date the change happened, UC will probably ask you to give the reason it's being reported late (outside of the Assessment Period in which the change happened).

It will then go to a Decision Maker who will decide whether to award backpay.

You won't be in any trouble or have your money stopped.

I went abroad this year for 5 nights and didn't say anything (I also get LCWRA).