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Original poster

UC help

8 replies

Livedandlearned · 30/06/2023 12:00

My daughter is 18 and rents a one bed flat. She claimed UC when she was made redundant and is still claiming, although she works 30 hours a week.

She has never had any help with rent or council tax from UC.

I don't know how it works, is she entitled to any help at all?

OP posts:
PaniniHead · 30/06/2023 12:03

Did she declare her housing costs on her UC claim?

PaniniHead · 30/06/2023 12:05

And does her UC statement show earnings being deducted? Or did she declare this through her account (change of circs-> work and earnings)

Bromptotoo · 30/06/2023 12:16

For most people help with rent is delivered through Universal Credit. Housing is one of the to do tasks that you need to deal with when you claim. Provided your tenancy is acceptable under the rules then a Housing Cost Element will be added to your Max UC. However, if you're under 35 the amount allowed is normally limited to the rate for a room in shared accomodation.

What does her monthly statement for the last Assessment Period say about which allowances/elements are in the award? Monthly payment should be the sum of those, less tapered earnings and any deduction for an advance on the first payment.

Help with Council Tax for low incomes etc isn't part of UC; each council has its own scheme with widely varying outcomes for % of the bill they'll pay and how income/earnings are treated.

toamch · 30/06/2023 12:29

I'm sure its a new thing that's come in uc won't help anyone under 25 with rent.

PaniniHead · 30/06/2023 13:12

UC will be pay housing costs for under 35s but it is capped to shared accommodation rates.

Bromptotoo · 30/06/2023 13:55

toamch · 30/06/2023 12:29

I'm sure its a new thing that's come in uc won't help anyone under 25 with rent.

That, or at least only giving Housing Costs to young people in tightly specified circumstances was mooted but SFAIR it didn't proceed.

Too difficult in practice.

Bromptotoo · 30/06/2023 13:59

For a period after UC came in there were restrictions for 18-21 year olds who had to meet criteria such as being a parent, working etc to get Housing Costs but it was abolished at about time full service UC came in across the whole of the UK:

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/uc_housing_element_under_21

Danikm151 · 30/06/2023 14:11

If she gets the standard allowance and approx £500 rent help she can still claim Ic. Earnings are deducted 55p in the £ so she could still get something. Similar to working tax credits

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