Universal credit vs housing benefit help please

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

Posting for traffic as money is always a quieter topic.

I'm changing over to UC in January. The advisor I've spoken to didn't have any information regarding how much I would get towards my rent. I have the other figures though which have provided reassurance.

If you previously received HB and have changed over to UC how do they compare?

I currently get £370 a month in HB. I'm a single parent with 3 children.

Thank you.

It’s done on the local authority housing rates so should remain the same. If you have rent free weeks they are ignored for UC so you might find you get a little less but the month with rent free you will get more as every month is the same if that makes sense?

It depends on how much you earn and childcare costs, if you're working, the ages of your children, whether anyone in the household gets DLA or PIP and the local housing allowance for the size of property you're entitled to.

Use one of the online calculators; turn2us or entitledto - they're pretty accurate and reliable and will also identify if you're entitled to any other benefits.

If your switch to UC is part of the "managed migration" and not triggered by a change in circumstances, you won't be any worse off, as you'll benefit from "transitional protection" and they'll make your money up to what you're on now.

If it's a change of circumstances, eg loss of job, relationship breakdown or moving to a different council area, transitional protection won't apply.

I'd be interested to hear if it's a "managed migration" as I thought this was only being trialled in one area (Harrogate) at the moment.

escapetheordinary is spot on wrt the rent element of UC.

Thank you. The only change is ds turning 5. I don't work but hopefully will be next year. I've got plans there so fingers crossed. It's good to know it should be the same as UC gets such a bad press and you hear so many horror stories. After speaking to the advisor today it's not as worrisome as I thought and we should be ok.

If I get the same rent element as HB then I'll be better off which doesn't seem right. By £79 a month.

If you want to ‘pm’ me, I can run through your award with you, I work for DWP so will be able to tell you what you’ll get to the penny

Are you in social (council/HA) or private rented housing?
As a general rule the housing element of UC will be the same as housing benefit (with a few exceptions).
The best way to work it out is to use an online calculator (Turn2Us or Entitledto) or ask Citizens Advice, either your local one or the national Help to Claim helpline/web chat.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/

PS Contrary to popular belief many people are indeed better off on Universal Credit. If you are a working single parent with no disabilities (ie not getting PIP and the SDP) then it would make sense.

I'm in private rented and not working Biomed I've PM'd you. Thank you.

Some people are marginally better off on universal credit, BUT if you have to take an advance for the first 5 weeks then it takes a long time for you to receive the full amount because you are paying the advance off

Why is your child turning 5 a change of circumstances?

I am entitled to income support until he turns 5. Then it changes to UC. I assume because 5 is school age and therefore I'm able to work more easily than when he was not at school.

Oh sorry it's age 3 on universal credit I didn't realise income support was still aged 5