Supported accommodation are asking to see my Universal Credit statement

rj7
rj7 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Connected
in Housing and independent living

I live in "supported" accommodation, and have done for 2 years, which is essentially a HMO/shared house where we will get a visit once a week at most from a support worker, who will ask for our service charge and how we're doing etc, then leave.

The last few weeks the company providing the housing was bought out, and the new owners are asking for information on everybody, part of which includes asking to see my Universal Credit statement. I would understand this if Universal Credit were paying towards my housing costs, but they are not, its instead paid by my Council through housing benefit.

I've kept quiet for 2 years while they neglected the condition of the house, failed to provide the level of support they call to offer and all while receiving over £1200 in housing benefits, per person per room in a 5 bed house. But now this feels like invasion of privacy, what possible reason could they have to want to see my UC statement, when it should be none of their business.

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 4,957 Championing

    Have you asked them for an explanation?

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,076 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/133213/supported-accommodation-are-asking-to-see-my-universal-credit-statement

    Ask the new provider why they need your UC statement and remind them your rent is paid via Housing Benefit, not UC. If they require confirmation of rent payments or benefits, offer a copy of your Housing Benefit award letter instead. You are not legally required to provide your UC statement if it is not relevant to your tenancy or rent payments. If you feel pressured, you can seek advice from your local council or Citizens Advice.

  • rj7
    rj7 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1019205#Comment_1019205

    This is exactly what i asked, but the quality of staff is so poor, they dont understand what I'm saying, they just keep pressuring me saying "we need it to upload it to our system" without actually explaining why. I told them it shouldnt be relevant because my housing costs are paid by the council, and they just repeat the same thing "we need to upload it to the system"

  • Girl_No1
    Girl_No1 Online Community Member Posts: 272 Empowering

    Tell them you want to speak to the manager, and ask the manager why they want to see your UC statement. Then take it from there.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,076 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1019238#Comment_1019238

    It seems like they may not fully understand that there are two different rent payment systems in play here. To me, it's clear that they just need proof of who pays your rent so they can record it in their system. They likely don’t fully grasp how the benefits system works, and honestly, many people don’t. These days, most tenants on benefits have their rent paid through Universal Credit, so they might just be assuming that's the case for everyone.

    Personally, I’d suggest uploading whatever proof you have showing how your rent is paid, such as your Housing Benefit award letter, and explaining clearly that it’s not paid through UC. But let’s be honest, if you weren’t receiving Housing Benefit, they wouldn’t be entitled to see your payslips to check your income, so the same principle should apply here.

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