Can I apply for universal before I have moved?

[Snowtimex7]

Basically we are moving closer to family and according to turn2us and other calculators we are entitled to help as the area costs are higher than here. We actually were entitled here but we didn’t realise. Anyway

we don’t have an account, we do have work it’s a top up which will mean we can actually afford the rent so we applied for a place and got accepted.

problem is it works 5 weeks behind so for every single rent payment we will be over a week short and the initial payment we would have to find from somewhere else.

can I apply for it now even though move in date isn’t until 28th? Or am I not able to do that?

thanks

You can apply now based on your current circumstances and then put a change of address when you move.

it will most likely be within the same assessment period but if you wait until you’ve moved that’s even longer without a payment.

If you apply today your first monthly Assessment Period (AP) will end on 12 July and the payment should reach your bank on around the 19th.

As soon as you move to the new place on 28 June log on to your account(s) and complete the Change of Circs bit for housing costs. You'll need to evidence what the costs are - typically a copy of your tenancy agreement - but that should be straightforward. As the change occurs in your first AP the housing costs will reflect that change for the whole AP; UC does not apportion changes across the AP.