Universal Credit (housing element query)

[Thingsarel00kingup]

Hi all, posting here for traffic, hopefully someone can advise - I've tried looking on-line and can't find answers.

I'm a single parent and claim universal credit to 'top up' a low income. I receive the housing element as I have a 17-year old in full time education.

He has been offered a (very good, secure) job with family in a different county so will be leaving home. His lodgings and income will be good, so that aspect doesn't concern me.

My query is whether I will lose some - or even all - of the housing element as I have no other dependants.

Just wanted to be prepared as it will be hard enough him leaving and the thought of having to lose the house as well is a bit overwhelming. An empty nest will be awful, but losing the nest because I can't afford it has scared me. I'm very happy for him, the Corona situation has left so many of his friends feeling lost so for him to have this opportunity is amazing.

Any advice, or ideas of where I could look please?

You will loose you child element and your work allowance. Your housing element will still be there however the above deductions may wipe it out.

Use this website it’s very accurate- turn to you , entitled too etc are not accurate for UC.
www.uceplus.co.uk/

Specific link for working out your entitlement
www.uceplus.co.uk/how-much-will-my-payment-be.html#

Also your housing element will reduce to one bedroom rate.

Thanks so much Tooth Fairy, this is really helpful info and is pretty much what I thought. Understandable and fair, but also a bit sad 😔

It it’s a massive financial cliff edge combined with missing your ds. You must be very proud of him also.

Yes, I'm incredibly proud of him and really delighted for him, especially when I hear all the dreadful stories of similar aged teens feeling suicidal (or worse).

But, it's a huge cliff-edge that I'm going over - the current situation has seen my business virtually collapse (hospitality) and as soon as he leaves there's no way I can afford to stay. So packing up our home with literally nowhere to go. He doesn't know, there's no way I could put that on him.

Thank you for 'listening' and advising ☺️