IS UC HOUSING ELEMENT BACKDATED ?

em444
em444 Online Community Member Posts: 111 Connected
edited January 2022 in Universal Credit (UC)
Morning  All 
Hope everyone Is well, and safe.
Not posted for a while, not been great, but hopefully things are getting bit better.
I recently moved house, and my housing element of UC has been verified and just waiting for my first payment date.
When I signed my tenancy on 8th October 2021, I couldn't move in until 13th November, because of damp and roofing  issues. As I'd put 13th  November , on my claim, I  was told to change it to the 8th October, as this is when tenancy started
 I explained about not being able to move in straight away. She just said, oh right, and then said, your payment  will  be on 3rd February,  when my UC Is normally paid.
Does anyone know, if it may be backdated at all. I didn't notify them straight away of the change,  because  I  was struggling with my mental health, and I couldn't concentrate on anything.  Because  I had to move, my landlord sold the house. It really has been overwhelming and stressful, after 8 years, in the same place.
Any advice greatly appreciated 
EM444 
 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    The changes usually take place in the assessment period in which they were reported, so if you reported the change in November, then you should have received payment for your new home in your December payment. Did you receive the housing element for your prevous home in the November payment?
  • em444
    em444 Online Community Member Posts: 111 Connected
    I  didn't get the housing element previously, as I'd put the wrong option for housing. So I managed on my bit of savings, only for a year, but didn't realise till to late. Never heard of housing element before 
    I didn't report a change for new place,  untill 9th January,  as I said before,   I wasn't able to concentrate and wasn't taking meds. The move has really affected my mental health. I didn't realise about housing,  and If I qualified for it 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    In that case i believe it will be down to a decision maker to decide whether to back date it but as you didn't report the changes it may not be backdated. Going forward you will have the housing element added to your maximum entitlement.
  • em444
    em444 Online Community Member Posts: 111 Connected
    Thanks for the information and help poppy. Yes, at least it will now help in the future. To be honest, its my fault really,  so not expecting. But would be handy if it was to happen. Moving house is so expensive  !
    Best wishes 
    EM444 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    It sounds as though it was quite a stressful move @em444! 

    I'm sorry to hear that your mental health has been affected by this. Have you been able to access any support to help you cope during this stressful time?
  • em444
    em444 Online Community Member Posts: 111 Connected
    Hi Tori,
    I was having EMDR therapy, just before the news of the move. But I couldn't concentrate, so had to stop therapy, until  I can cope with it again.
    I've spoken to gp, and he's assured me that, it will get easier. But Im taking meds during the day now, because of the stress. Usually take at night
    Regards 
    EM444 
  • em444
    em444 Online Community Member Posts: 111 Connected
    Sorry Tori, forgot to say, I was being supported by Framework. But they were stressing me out, because they wanted weekly updates, of what I was doing, about looking for work, and expected me to do WRA when I'm in the LCWRA support group. They said they have a legal obligation to check in with me once a month. So their still asking me stuff. Ive told my UC work coach. But not a lot said. 

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