housing help

quelthalas

hello! i'm an autistic 27 year old with some health problems currently receiving universal credit, LCWRA and the regular (not enhanced) amount of PIP payments. at the moment i live with my dad, but plan on moving to newcastle in a few months with my partner (also receiving universal credit) who wants to attend university.

we're hoping to rent a house and i was just looking for some information on what to expect, what to plan for and how to go about all of this etc. we want to live together with my cat, in a 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom house/apartment whilst he studies and potentially finds a job.

is my partner able to receive student finance while still living with me and i continue to receive all of my benefits? will i be eligible for the housing element of universal credit? will my partner no longer be able to claim universal credit as he will be a student and will that affect my claim at all? will private landlords allow us to rent a property under our circumstances?

thank you! :)

Kimi87

After you move in together your claim becomes a joint UC claim once you report the change of circumstances. Entitlement is based on your circumstances as a couple & student finance will impact your joint claim.

Try a benefits calculator to estimate your joint award or speak to a local welfare rights organisation.

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

For rent your UC Housing Element is based on the LHA rate for your area & this often doesn't cover the whole rent. You will be entitled to the one bedroom rate.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

It can often be difficult to find a private landlord when you are on benefits. You can try OpenRent where you communicate directly with landlords (cutting out letting agents) or approach Newcastle Council who might have a list of benefit friendly landlords.

https://www.openrent.co.uk/