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Original poster

Housing benefit element of UC

13 replies

Daisyfia · 28/08/2020 16:53

Hi

Looking for some advice please.

I currently get tax credits i work 30 hours pw and earn over £20,000 per annum

Im currently living with my parents with my 5 year old...Im looking to private rent and i wondered if the change of address would automatically switch me to uc? The advisor said if it is just the change of address then it would stay the same.. also my claim would still be a single claim as it is now so it is literally me changing address.

Im just wondering as uc has the housing benefit element and it says you are entitled if you have a low income.. but it doesn't state what a low income is classed as? what is the cap for when you wouldn't get help with rent? Ive rang uc and they said they cant tell me or maybe the guy didn't know not sure.

Does anybody works similar hours has similar wages etc n how it works. I think id prefer to just stay on my tax credits as the uc seems more confusing.

Thank you

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 28/08/2020 17:18

There is no cap really it depends on your circumstances and rent etc. On UC you would get a standard single element , rent element whic woukd be based on the two bedroomed local housing allowance rate in the area where you are renting , and a child element. These elements are added up then wages reduce your total UC amount. If you have savings over 6k your UC amount is reduced and if over 16k you cannot claim UC.

ihoeihoeihoe · 29/08/2020 10:34

Have you tried entitled to.co.uk - if you just put your details in and say you’re renting at the rough cost you think your rent/council tax etc would be it will tell you what you’re entitled to.

Roughly speaking in my area, at my age (29) with a wage of 21,000 and one child of age 5, you’d get about £600 per month including your child benefit.

You’d also get 25% off your council tax bill and they’d pay childcare costs of up to around £600 per month (I think). EG. If your child was at a childminders costing you £150 per week your total benefits would then be 1115 every 4 weeks. X

lazymum99 · 29/08/2020 11:29

Entitled to website also has a very good chart of what triggers a UC claim.
I think if you are not currently on Housing Benefit then you have to claim through UC and this will end you working tax credits.

MiniMum97 · 29/08/2020 11:34

It's not the change of address that would "switch you to UC" it's if you need to claim hoisting costs. If you do, then you will have to claim this via UC and your tax credits will end. Make sure you check very carefully that you will be better off on UC before claiming as you can't go back to tax credits if you get it wrong.

Lifeisabeach09 · 29/08/2020 15:58

I'd definitely use a calculator to get a rough idea of what you'd get on UC if you rent as PP have said.

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

If you do decide to claim UC, be wary of when you claim. It's always best to claim midmonth if you get paid at end of month as it ensures only one pay day falls within one assessment period.

Original poster
Daisyfia · 29/08/2020 16:40

Thanks for all the replys

Tbh i think id rather just do a change of address and not switch to uc

OP posts:
lazymum99 · 29/08/2020 18:26

If you need to help With your rent you will have no choice but to claim UC. There are no more new HB claims. If you are on HB and move outside your council area you have to make a UC claim too.

AldiAisleofCrap · 29/08/2020 18:35

You can change address and stay on tax credits however you would get any help with your rent.

AldiAisleofCrap · 29/08/2020 18:35

*would not

LakieLady · 30/08/2020 11:44

Because you have a child, the first £292 a month of your income you would be entitled to a "work allowance" under UC, and the first £292
of your earnings would be disregarded.

But best to use one of the online calculators. You'll need to find out what the local housing allowance for a 2-bed property is in your area, as this is the maximum UC will add on for housing costs.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/09/2020 10:23

I moved house in June and have not been switched to UC. I had to cancel my housing benefit claim as I moved from private rent to my own mortgaged home, then just filled in a change of address on my Government gateway account.

Babyroobs · 01/09/2020 13:54

@Waxonwaxoff0

I moved house in June and have not been switched to UC. I had to cancel my housing benefit claim as I moved from private rent to my own mortgaged home, then just filled in a change of address on my Government gateway account.
This would not force a move to Uc because you are not needing to make a new claim for anything, just cancelling a HB claim.
ivykaty44 · 05/09/2020 08:28

You can still claim tax credits as it’s an on going claim - but that won’t include any housing element for covering rent

As others have said you’ll not be able to claim HB so if you want help with rent you’ll need to claim UC and then TC will automatically stop

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