Housing benefits

[filmaddict]

So unfortunately lost my home last year but the council did not help and I managed to rent privately but now I am struggling to pay rent but my landlord will not like me to be claiming housing benefits (most landlords don't want people on benefits)

If I apply for benefit and send tenancy agreement to council or benefit office, will they contract my landlord? I don't wanna loose the roof over my head again as it took 6 months of homelessness with my kids to get this current place .

The benefits will be paid to you so the landlord doesn't have to know. Doesn't matter if the landlord likes benefit or not.... if they are paid in full and on time shouldn't matter to them anyway

Also, depends on your circumstances,but most likely would be applying for Universal Credit with housing element,rather than housing benefit.

Based on what you say above you'd be applying for Universal Credit which, as you pay rent, would include a Housing Costs Element. That would go to you as part of a monthly payment covering everything you were entitled to in UC. You'll need to produce the tenancy agreement and tell UC the address of the landlord or thier agent so as to show you meet the liability etc conditions for the HCE to be paid.

The DWP will not contact the Landlord.

Under GDPR Universal credit are forbidden from telling anyone you are claiming benefit.

You may also be able to claim council tax relief from your local council

You shouldn't mind having to claim benefits. So long as you keep paying the landlord has no right to complain. I am sorry to say dealing with Universal Credit is not easy. Do not take what UC "award" and "Pay" for granted, these are not the same thing.

I hope you get this sorted out. I would be interested in what Housing Benefit (LHA rate) you are awarded, and how you think that compares to what you get.

LHA is a rate legally set to help people pay rent in their applicable area.

My LHA is £370, The UC I receive, including PIP and basic rate, £200.

Before 2018 the £370 would have gone straight to the landlord... Has anyone else checked if they get LHA, or do UC deductions eat it all away?

cheers

As per the other thread I think you misunderstand how Universal Credit uses LHA.

It's purpose is to set a ceiling on what Universal Credit can pay towards rent. In calculating what you get every month the LHA amount is added to your Standard Allowance and any other elements you might qualify for.

They then deduct amounts for any other income such as pensions or other benefits (like ESA or Jobseekers) intended to cover living costs.

I think UC has been calculated correctly in your case. You get less money because you no longer have a child living with you. Previously, under Housing Benefit as a Single Parent you'd get the full rent. Now you're a single claimant you don't.

It may not be fair but that's another story.

You mention PIP. Are you getting any benefits for ill health/disability such as Employment Support Allowance?

If you have a disability or long term health condition you may be able to get extra money in Universal Credit. You will though need to undergo a 'Work Capability Assessment' and, even if successful, wait approx 3-4 months before the extra cash kicks in.

"Universal Credit uses LHA."

Universal Credit cannot legally "use", vary, deviate, cut what LHA is.

Universal Credit and Housing Benefit are two separate pieces of legislation.

Universal Credit is dark fog which should be examined and dissected.

Universal Credit are not varying, deviating or cutting LHA. They're applying it in accordance with the regulations.

For reasons we're exploring in the other thread your Max UC, what the law says you need to live on, of £738.09 is being reduced by over £500. If we understand how £500 is made up, apart from pension, we might be able to help you find a way forward.

I agree UC should be examined and reformed. Apart from at the start of the pandemic both the living expenses/elements and LHA have been effectively cut because the Government has frozen them in some years or (LHA) increased it only by inflation rather than actual market rents as should be the case.