Page 2 | Social housing and UC

Cupofteaonesugar · 2022-10-05T19:39:03+00:00

I have been on the social housing waiting list for a good while now. I've just been informed on top of the list for a property. I have absolutely NO idea how this works. I've never done this before. If I accept it and everything goes well... can anyone with any experience tell me what I should expect to happen with my UC award? I read somewhere my award will be reduced because I would be claiming my social housing rent? Would the rent me paid directly to the council? Would I have to pay a despite and rent in advanced? As you can tell I'm clueless and I'm abit scared that I'm going to have no money!

Calandor · 06/10/2022 10:29

Cupofteaonesugar · 05/10/2022 22:26

@wherearemyspecs how would it be made up by my wages though as I wouldn't be earning more?

Because your rent should be lower?

DayOfTheDestroyer · 06/10/2022 10:41

Doesnt the local council pay for social housing and UC housing element pay if its private housing.
How much worse off depends if you have kids and how much you are earning in each monthly assessment period
And OP try not to worry. Everything will be ok.

CatchersAndDreams · 06/10/2022 10:45

@DayOfTheDestroyer no that's a myth set out to turn people against social housing.

OP you will need a deposit. Go to your local council's one stop shop and see if you can get help for a deposit.

DayOfTheDestroyer · 06/10/2022 10:52

@CatchersAndDreams why would it stop people going to social housing.
If UC or local council paid for it.. it would still be getting paid for?

Danikm151 · 06/10/2022 10:58

@DayOfTheDestroyer UC includes a housing element.
it used to be that local councils provided housing benefit but the migration over to UC means eventually it will all be paid via UC.

@Cupofteaonesugar if you are struggling with the first month’s up front you can apply for a discretionary housing payment from your council.

Coffee20 · 06/10/2022 11:17

My local HA if you don't accept the first then your back to the bottom of the list. If they show it you then they deem your eligible and if you don't accept then they've offered and fulfilled their duty of care and no longer have one to house you so just beware op

womaninatightspot · 06/10/2022 11:49

Cupofteaonesugar · 05/10/2022 21:29

@womaninatightspot oh gosh £130 is a lot to me :(

Are you paying any kind of rent just now even informally to family? If you tell us more info about what you currently earn/get paid/ claim and the proposed rent we can give better advise.

bingbummy · 06/10/2022 12:20

You said it would make the school run too far, but you bid on it.

Only bid for properties you want to take. You usually can refuse one, even two properties, but then best hope the third one isn't too far away etc.

Stop bidding unless you actually want the place.

Original poster

Cupofteaonesugar · 06/10/2022 12:37

Hi all, thank you for the replies.
Just to clear up a few points that you have made - as I said in my original post I am completely new to this, I have never been on the waiting list before and I I feel really on educated in how the process works. Unfortunately I don't know anybody close to me who has been through this process so I have heavily replied on advice from places like mums now or calling through to the council for some advice on what to do. Nevertheless I still feel quite uninformed.
Anyway, when I submitted my application the council told me to bid on as many properties as possible. They told me that a bit was an expression of interest and doesn't hold you to it if it isn't suitable. They said because the waiting list are so long it's in your best interest to make bits and see what's available to you and where you fall on the waiting list. The property that's been offered to me could work, I did a mark school run from it today and it is only about 15 minutes in the car with good traffic, I just have some concerns about having to rely on driving every day. There isn't a bus route that would be suitable for us and the last thing that I want to do is change my sons school/nursery.
Anyway, I spoke to the council today and just ask them about the refusal process. I made it very clear that I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I'm just asking these questions because I don't know the process. They told me that there is no process where if you refuse the property that you are unable to bid in future or that you are only allowed to refuse so many properties. They did say however that until I view the property I'm able to bid on anything else. So feel a little bit reassured there. I think last night I was just feeling a bit worried in case the property wasn't suitable for me and my sons and then I felt forced I had to live there instead of continuing on the waiting list. Anyway I'm open-minded and I will look round and see what I think.
My biggest concern really is money. Or should I say the lookout. I don't have any savings to move at the moment. I've been so low on the waiting list I didn't think that this opportunity would come to me any time soon. Ideally when I moved I wanted to have some money saved up to be able to buy furniture and make it home. I'm worried about having to pay the rent in a months advance and I'm worried about my universal credit becoming lower. Unfortunately I do have some debts which are quite high and I'm just feeling worried and vulnerable about all of these things these things.

OP posts:

wherearemyspecs · 06/10/2022 13:27

Cupofteaonesugar · 06/10/2022 12:37

Hi all, thank you for the replies.
Just to clear up a few points that you have made - as I said in my original post I am completely new to this, I have never been on the waiting list before and I I feel really on educated in how the process works. Unfortunately I don't know anybody close to me who has been through this process so I have heavily replied on advice from places like mums now or calling through to the council for some advice on what to do. Nevertheless I still feel quite uninformed.
Anyway, when I submitted my application the council told me to bid on as many properties as possible. They told me that a bit was an expression of interest and doesn't hold you to it if it isn't suitable. They said because the waiting list are so long it's in your best interest to make bits and see what's available to you and where you fall on the waiting list. The property that's been offered to me could work, I did a mark school run from it today and it is only about 15 minutes in the car with good traffic, I just have some concerns about having to rely on driving every day. There isn't a bus route that would be suitable for us and the last thing that I want to do is change my sons school/nursery.
Anyway, I spoke to the council today and just ask them about the refusal process. I made it very clear that I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I'm just asking these questions because I don't know the process. They told me that there is no process where if you refuse the property that you are unable to bid in future or that you are only allowed to refuse so many properties. They did say however that until I view the property I'm able to bid on anything else. So feel a little bit reassured there. I think last night I was just feeling a bit worried in case the property wasn't suitable for me and my sons and then I felt forced I had to live there instead of continuing on the waiting list. Anyway I'm open-minded and I will look round and see what I think.
My biggest concern really is money. Or should I say the lookout. I don't have any savings to move at the moment. I've been so low on the waiting list I didn't think that this opportunity would come to me any time soon. Ideally when I moved I wanted to have some money saved up to be able to buy furniture and make it home. I'm worried about having to pay the rent in a months advance and I'm worried about my universal credit becoming lower. Unfortunately I do have some debts which are quite high and I'm just feeling worried and vulnerable about all of these things these things.

Are you working now?

Original poster

Cupofteaonesugar · 06/10/2022 14:47

@wherearemyspecs I've always worked, my UC is a top up on my wage. I'm a single for mum to two.

OP posts:

tattychicken · 06/10/2022 14:57

You can ask for an advance payment from UC to cover whatever upfront rent you have to pay, they will claw this back from your ongoing payments.
Re your other debts, have you spoken to Stepchange? They are really good.

DayOfTheDestroyer · 06/10/2022 14:59

Then it will msot certainly affect ur uc. Are u paying rent now?

wherearemyspecs · 06/10/2022 15:03

Cupofteaonesugar · 06/10/2022 14:47

@wherearemyspecs I've always worked, my UC is a top up on my wage. I'm a single for mum to two.

I'm honestly not sure what you were expecting here... to be given free choice of all the houses to choose whichever you thought was nicest? To have all your rent paid and not lose any money whatsoever? I'm really confused, if they've deemed you high enough on the list to be offered properties then I don't see how you're in a position to turn anything down? Also you should already be having your UC reduced if you earn over the threshold anyway.

YoSofi · 06/10/2022 15:11

DayOfTheDestroyer · 06/10/2022 14:59

Then it will msot certainly affect ur uc. Are u paying rent now?

No it won’t.

If the OP doesn’t already claim the housing element, she can add this to her existing claim.

It sounds like she’s just getting the standard UC at the moment and not the housing element on top.

Original poster

Cupofteaonesugar · 06/10/2022 15:32

@wherearemyspecs I've simply asked if it effects me UC award that's all. Re read my OP if you're not sUte!

OP posts:

Original poster

Cupofteaonesugar · 06/10/2022 15:32

@YoSofi yes that's right I don't claim any housing currently

OP posts:

Danikm151 · 06/10/2022 15:40

It will increase the UC amount you receive because housing costs will be added on but will slightly reduce the amount on top because your work allowance is currently the one with no housing costs.

ultimately UC is made up of elements for your total award then deductions for any wages you get. Depending on your wages you may able able to apply for council tax support- that’s directly with the council.

for example total uc award with rent £1500
wages £1500-334x0.55=641.30 deductions
£1500- 641.30= £858.70 UC given and still keep the £1500 wages so total income for the month is £2358.70 + child benefit.

DayOfTheDestroyer · 06/10/2022 16:44

@Cupofteaonesugar
Since u have children the first £573 YOu EARN does not count towards your UC .Then it tapers for every pound u earn u lose 55p from ur UC entitlement.
If however you are renting this number is lower. From 573 it goes down to 344.
So you will get 125 pounds less
However you will get extra money to pay the rent.
THIS ASSUMES YOU ARE NOT PAYING RENT NOW.
if you are paying rent now nothin really changes.
hope this helps.