Understanding Universal Credits

[RMG7392]

Hi all, hope you are well?
I have applied for Universal Credits and received notification today that I am entitled to help with housing costs. It doesn't tell me how much though.
Does this mean I do not get the child element, I have 2 primary aged children. I don't understand?
sorry, bet these kind of questions get asked all the time.

It should tell you what your entitled to online. If not send a query to them, I’ve had quick responses to any Qs I’ve asked.

Is the calculator online reliable? I'm so scared of getting my hopes up.

You should get both the housing costs and the child element. It’s worth popping a message on your journal to see how much you will get.

The housing costs notification is just the most recent thing they have checked for you . They will check your children separately. These are elements of your claim and are not connected to each other. Your claim award will include you (and your partner if you have one) + your housing costs+ children to start with. Payment for childcare costs may be added in once verified .If you are long term sick you may qualify for a limited capability for work payment. If you are a carer (whether or not you receive carers allowance) you will need to report that as you will be entitled to the carer element.
All of these are added together and then any income from earnings or most other benefits(not PIP) are deducted from the award.

You will receive a standard element for yourself, couples element if you are a couple.
Then child or children's elements - max two unless all born before April 2017.
Then a rent element. if private renting this will depend on the local housing allowance for the number of bedrooms you are eligible to claim for. If rent is high it may not all be covered by the rent element.
You may also be eligible for other elements like childcare element if you pay childcare or disabled child elmeent if any children disabled.
All these element make your total UC which is then reduced by wages and if you have any savings over 6k this will also reduce the amount.
You will get a work allowance meaning the first £344 of wages earned in your monthly Uc assessment period is disregarded before earnings reduce your total Uc by 55p for each pound earned.

You wont be told how much you will get until the whole calculation is carried out as earnings/other benefits/ unknown will affect the final amount. Also as each month is calculated as a stand alone the award for the first month may not be repeated in subsequent months. You have to wait until the calculation has been carried out and then query anything the doesn't seem right. It can be that the earnings were early or late for the calculation or the children weren't verified on time for example - lots of things can take longer than expected.
But you can always call to have it explained to you. I would always call if a journal message isn't answered within 3 days for non urgent things- call straight away if its urgent.

£334.91 standard element for yourself assuming single and over 25.
£290 for child 1 and £244.58 for child 2.
Rent depending on local housing allowance for your area.
Total reduced by wages as per previous post.

They can't calculate your award for the month yet if you have earnings to be reported. Your statement will appear a few days after the last day of your assessment period and payment is seven days after the last day of your assessment period.

Use this link to calculate your rent element if private renting.
lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Search.aspx

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you everyone, this all makes a bit more sense. I hate the fact I've even had to make this claim.
let's see what they say on the 11th then unless they advise me sooner.
thanks again xx

Can I private message someone here please as I've a question?