How to claim house benefits through Universe Credit?

fifa_world_class7
fifa_world_class7 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Hello everyone,

I currently receive Limited Work Capability for the Work-Related Activity (LWCRA), and I am profoundly deaf with mental health challenges. I am looking for private rented accommodation through a landlord but am struggling to find information on how to claim Housing Benefit through Universal Credit.

Could anyone kindly advise me on how to claim Housing Benefit through Universal Credit online? I would be very grateful.

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,132 Championing
    edited November 2024

    Hi,

    You would need the Housing Element of Universal Credit for private renting.

    Unfortunately you can't claim Housing Element until you've moved into your new home.

    The amount of Housing Element you can get is based on your circumstances and your age, known as the Local Housing Allowance, or LHA for short.

    You can check the LHA rates for your area using this website -

    Search for Local Housing Allowance rates by postcode or local authority : DirectGov - LHA Rates

    If you're single and under 35 with no children then you are only entitled to Shared Rate. Unless you also get the Daily Living part of PIP, in which case you are entitled to the One-Bedroom rate.

    When you do move into your new property, that gets reported as a Change of Circumstances through Universal Credit, and you will be asked to provide proof of the rent costs by uploading a rental agreement.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,061 Championing
    edited November 2024

    Please read the information from Shelter and investigate the level of help available with a private rental, as you might not get your full rent paid.

    https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/universal_credit_housing_element

    You will be claiming Housing Element.

    Once you have found somewhere and are moved in, you simply log onto your Universal Credit account and select Report A Change, Where you Live and What it Costs.

  • fifa_world_class7
    fifa_world_class7 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you for your response.

    I currently receive LWCRA and PIP. Once I receive Housing Benefit through private renting, will my PIP increase?

    Also, a few weeks ago, I found a rental property through an agent, but they refused to let me rent the property because I am on benefits. Should I report them for acting under a 'No DSS' policy, as this could be unlawful discrimination?

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,061 Championing

    No your PIP will not increase.

    Your UC will increase with the addition of Housing Element which is for your rent.

    By all means report this agent, but they will likely just claim you were turned down for another reason.

    Have you tried

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

    No agents, you will be dealing directly with the property landlords.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,132 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/944152#Comment_944152

    This isn't actually unlawful. The law only states that they can't advertise 'no DSS' or use benefits as the only reason for rejection. The landlord still reserves the right to refuse any tenant and can easily make up another excuse.

    In addition to that, many mortgage companies refuse benefits tenants as well. Many private rented properties are still mortgaged by the landlords, so this is a very common excuse I've found for benefits tenants to be refused without it being unlawful.

    Unfortunately it is incredibly difficult to find private landlords willing to accept benefits tenants.

  • fifa_world_class7
    fifa_world_class7 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    I understand, thank you for the advice.

    I see that you recommended searching for rental properties through OpenRent, and I found it very useful. There’s an option in the advanced filter to include properties that accept DSS tenants, which I think will help me find a rental.

    I hope it will be able to assist me in finding the right place. Thank you again!

  • worried33
    worried33 Online Community Member Posts: 902 Championing
    edited November 2024

    I suppose it depends on area, here getting a social property is literally impossible, you cant even register on the list unless you already are homeless. The area has declared a housing emergency as its breaching permitted use of bed and breakfast.

    On the flip side a fair amount of LL's including the biggest in the city do allow DSS and also no credit check. Of course the rents are way above LHA levels, in this area LHA bears no resemblance to reality.

    As others said, you cant open a claim until you have a signed tenancy agreement, so you on your own for the first month rent and deposit, and then the award possibly wont cover the entire rent moving forward, however LHA rates are published, so you should be able to get an idea what is covered before applying. Published LHA rates are 4 weekly whilst rent is typically calendar month.

  • fifa_world_class7
    fifa_world_class7 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Hello everyone,
    I have a question about renting a house through private renting while receiving help with rent through the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit. Is it possible for me, as a single tenant, to rent a two-bedroom house and get support with the rent? I have two children, but they don’t live in the UK—they live abroad with their mother. I’m considering a two-bedroom house in case my children visit me.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,522 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @fifa_world_class7

    If you're renting privately, you can rent a two bedroom house if you'd like to, but it's likely that you'd only receive the local housing allowance for one bedroom unless your children's main home is with you. You would usually need to find the money to cover the rest of your housing yourself. There's some information about this on the Scope site:

    Bedroom tax and housing benefits | Disability charity Scope UK

    If you're under 35 you will only receive the local housing allowance for shared accommodation, which is less than if you're over 35 and entitled to the one bedroom rate.

    Citizens Advice also have some guides about who can claim for extra bedrooms, so it's worth checking if anything might apply to you:

    Check if you’re allowed an extra bedroom for Housing Benefit - Citizens Advice

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/944152#Comment_944152

    To be clear, you will not be claiming housing benefit. Housing benefit is completely different. You will be able to claim help with the rent through Universal Credit known as housing element.

    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/946324#Comment_946324

    Bedroom tax only applies to social/council housing if you have spare bedrooms. It doesn't apply when privately renting. For this it's the local Housing Allowance that applies.

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