Universal credit decrease help

MarkJones
MarkJones Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Hi everyone. I have for the last few months had a significant drop in my Universal credit which I'll break down below, I am aware of the deductions in transitional protection but still cannot make sense of it all & it's driving me crazy.

I'm hoping some of you kind people can help, I am currently paying off a debt due to their errors of approx £63 a month from mu Universal credit & my rent increased also to around £565 monthly. So I used to get £360 remaining after paying my rent & the £60 debt repayment making a total of £420. My ESA went up by £10 a fortnight which translates to £21.67 a month. Can someone explain why I only receive £305 + Debt payment £63 making a total of £368. I'm totally confused.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

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Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 6,134 Championing

    If you rent from social housing, your rent increase is deducted from Transitional Protection.

  • MarkJones
    MarkJones Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Thanks Overly, is that really the case? How is that even right, that's does add up though. What if you didn't rent? I'm shocked they can do this.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,798 Championing

    Unfortunately that is how Transitional Protection has been designed work.

    If you didn't rent then your Transitional Protection would erode more slowly.

  • MarkJones
    MarkJones Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Thanks so much, I was totally unaware, if say I stopped renting will the deduction remain? So I think it's gone down by £40, if I stopped renting this year will my Universal credit go back to being £40 higher than now? I have been thinking of moving in with family as it's getting too hard for me to live alone & take care of myself, if I moved in with son or daughter as they offered how will this work. Thank you

  • MarkJones
    MarkJones Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    I just need to know so i can decide whether to move out soon or wait till beginning next year, if I do it at all. Thank you so much for your help. I have been wondering why for a couple of months but too ill to do anything about it.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 6,134 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1132269#Comment_1132269

    Your Transitional Protection only goes down when changes are made. It will not go back up if you stop renting.

  • MarkJones
    MarkJones Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    So it gives me more time to decide then? I'm already struggling so much & reluctant to move again, but at least now I understand how things work.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 6,134 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1132274#Comment_1132274

    Yes. Your payments should stay the same now until April next year. That's when the rates and social rents will change again. So you've got several months to decide.

  • MarkJones
    MarkJones Community Member Posts: 6 Listener

    Thanks so much, I don't know what I would do to ease my panic without all you kind people on this forum.

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