Universal credit and working full time

[MuyBien]

Hi all, I work 5 days on, 3 off then 4 days on 3 off rotating each week if that makes sense.

I earn between £1100 - £1200 per month

I am moving out of my brothers house where my I would normally have my kids but due to marriage breakdown I have to move. I can only afford a room so i don't think my kids would be able to stay over anymore.

My question is would I be able to get financial help through universal credit to help me afford to get a studio flat?

My brother thinks because I have two kids I would be entitled to a 3 bedroom flat but I find that hard to believe!

Not sure I understand your maths but I think it should be 1280 (LHA) pm for housing element + 334.91 (single adult over 25 allowance) so 1614.91 before taper is applied. Then deduct 660 so 954.91. I might be off a bit could CAB possibly of meant that's what you'd get after the taper was applied?

I put your figures into turn2us (obviously I don’t know exact figures) and got this

Hi, I misread a previous post. I understand now.

Thanks

Hi, thank you for inputting my details. That makes sense.

Hi again, I need to speak to CAB again and ask more questions.

Thanks so far!

Hi all, I'm still so confused after speaking to CAB.

Hopefully someone on here can help please.

I was told my universal credit claim is Soley based on the housing element, that I could start filling out my claim but I would need a tenency agreement so that I could add the rent costs to my universal credit claim.

Does that mean I would have to move in before I could claim? Sounds risky if it falls through and how would some random person trust me lol

Unfortunately that is the Catch 22 situation. you would need to find a landlord willing to accept a housing benefit claimant and willing to wait for their money which is not easy in London. Or build up enough savings to pay your deposit/first month until you claim comes through. You will also probably need a guarantor.

My daughter had me guarantee her rent and I paid her rent in the meantime.

Thanks!

I started filling in my claim but I'm sure I messed it up. It says I need to complete the to-do list and it won't allow me to go back to previous questions. If I complete it can I change my answers afterwards?

Also is their any point in partially filling in the claim before I know where I'm living?

It might be worth speaking to Shelter. They specialise in housing issues and benefits so might be able to give you clearer advice than CAB. For example their website says the following: england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/how_to_find_landlords_who_accept_benefits

Speak to your council
Some councils have lists of private landlords who rent to tenants claiming benefits.
The council must usually give you help to find somewhere if you get a section 21 notice or are facing homelessness.
This can include help to find an affordable private tenancy.
You could get a discretionary housing payment from the council to help with a deposit, rent in advance or rent payments.
How the council should help
Check the Help to Rent database
The homeless charity Crisis has a database with schemes that help people find and keep a private tenancy.
Most of the schemes are for single people who are homeless or facing homelessness. Some also give support once you have a private rented home.
Search for a scheme on the Crisis Help to Rent database

Single people working over 30 hours can get help. So it's worth applying for.

Thanks

Hi all, i don't understand why I would be entitled to universal credit. Why would they help me if I could just rent a room and not use universal credit. I can afford a single room which wouldn't be great as I couldn't have my kids over but I just don't get it??

Universal credit is designed so that people on low incomes or who are looking for work etc can maintain a minimum, very basic standard of living. The housing element recognises that people in different situations have different needs, eg a family with two children need more bedrooms.

A single person over the age of 35 is entitled to be able to live in self contained accommodation eg a 1 bedroom flat. Those under the age of 35 are expected to be able to share.

Hi, thanks the explanation. I guess I'm lucky I am over 35 then.

Hi everyone, I have one last question.

This month I earned 1660 net (my company fucked up my pay which is usually £1200 net) then next month my wages will be around £800 because I will have it deducted next month. I put the £1160, £1200 and £800 through the calculator and it gave the same figure. Universal credit either pays me less or more.

Is this how it works?

I hope I'm making sense of it all