Underpayment of lcwra. Can UC use the lump sum to pay off my rent arrears without my permission?

Shazzron

hi
just asking if anyone will know 
me and my husband are on universal credit and paying rent arrears direct out our universal credit (our universal credit gets paid into my husbands account )
and  today I have been awarded underpayment of  lcwra does anyone know if this underpayment lump sum can be used by universal credit  without my permission 
to pay off my rent arrears or can they not touch this back payment 
any advice would be welcome 

janer1967

Hi there 

Yes they can use any back pay to clear outstanding debts 

Details of any arrears payment are sent to debt management and they check if there are any outstanding debts to be paid and if so will recover the debt 

Shazzron

So can they use my backpaid lcwra to clear my rent arears
without my day so 

janer1967

Yes if you think about it logically you owe them money so they will take the debt from any money they owe you 

Shazzron

Hi thanks 
i only owe money to the landlord not universal credit if that makes a difference 

Shazzron

I’m paying off my rent arrears direct from my universal credit each month I’m worried they will pay all my  backpayment of lcwra  to my landlord he a wrong un and don’t trust him one bit 

poppy123456

Shazzron said:

Hi thanks 
i only owe money to the landlord not universal credit if that makes a difference 

If that’s the case I can’t see how they can pay all what you owe from your backdated money. Although wouldn’t you rather pay it off and then it’s all done, I know I would. 

MarkM88

Why don’t you contact UC or debt management and ask if they can keep the plan in place? 

If that’s not possible, then isn’t it better the lump sum is paid to the landlord, reducing the debt you owe? 

janer1967

If its money owed to your landlord and not dwp I would contact uc and ask