Universal Credit 'change of circumstances' problems

NewTime

Hello all.

I posted some weeks ago about my poor financial situation and it has not since improved. From that post I decided that I would tell UC of a change of circumstance (COC). It made no financial benefit to me immediately, but I believe it would do in the coming weeks.

I previously received a amount of around £1020 with Transitional protection, but that didn't include housing, I have reported the COC and the amount is generally the same.

However, they have contacted recently that they are going to pay the landlord directly and they also stated that they were going to take money from the amounts to include arrears. I am worried how much money they will take from the remaining amount and also I would prefer the amount for housing to be sent to my account instead of the landlord. This is because it gives me help financially until the rent is due and also because I am in a problematic joint tenancy.

I feel a lot of regret about this as I really don't know what is going to happen.

By chance I had my UC appointment today and I am not sure the lady understands completely where am with this and she has raised a MR, in a attempt to get UC to clear all my remaining arrears, I don't believe that is going to happen.

But I also feel like the best thing to avoid this is to reverse the request for COC and go back to what it was a few weeks, is this at all possible? The lady did say to me today that I may not get the same amount?

Any help would be hugely apprecaited.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

You won't be able to reverse a Change of Circumstances. Just have to move forward now.

We would need to know which element you have gained, and how much TP you had before, to determine whether there should be an overall increase in payments.

Landlords can now request an APA from UC to make sure they get rent arrears paid. I'm not sure whether you have any say in that unfortunately.

Kimi87

Previous thread:

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/139541/any-possibility-to-access-emergency-cash

sunnydays

Hi, Can anyone help with this UC question. I'm my son's UC appointee but sadly we don't talk any longer. How do I give up being apoointee to him. It's it a simple process? Any advice would we welcomed.

Thank you in advance

NewTime

My previous award:

Standard Allowance: £400.14

Transitional Protection: £619.71

Award with housing:

Standard Allowance: £400.14

Houisng : £510

Transitional Protection: £109.71

I have probably made a mistake in trying to move to housing and I don't want it to be paid like this - I want the housing element to be paid to me directly. That is because I am in a joint tenancy with a housemate who is not paying all of the rent due, therefore if I pay all of my side and he he doesn't I would be then liable for some of his rent. They have stated in the updated statement "You will have to pay your housing costs to your landlord." But in another message they have said they are paying the landlord directly.

I am also in the process of getting a fit note, but I have never done that before and I don't know how well that will go with someone who has Autism, would the doctor say no?

Thanks for any help.

onlymeagain

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1087407#Comment_1087407

Sadly you won't get a penny more until the TP is down to 0. Our rent went up in April as did our Carer's Allowance, but our UC went down. Apparently, this is correct.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1087407#Comment_1087407

Yes, I can see you have an unusual situation because of the joint tenancy now. Most people asking for advice aren't in that situation. I do apologise if previous advice on Housing was not suitable for your case.

Housing Element is automatically paid to the person by UC. If you did not ask UC to pay your landlord directly, then your landlord has asked them instead. The landlord does have the power to do this if you are in rent arrears or have history of missing payments.

Unfortunately, you cannot go back and remove the Housing Element now. What's done is done regarding that.

You will be around £300 a month better off if you get LWCRA after the fit note and WCA so that is the thing to aim for right now. In order to get a fit note you will need to explain briefly to the GP why you are unable to work. It's not enough to just say Autism, as plenty of people can still work with Autism.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1087408#Comment_1087408

That is correct for your case, but not for the OP.

As they only have £109 TP, getting LCWRA will add around £314 to their total UC payment.