Universal credit report a change

[Royaro]

Hi

Can someone please advise, I reported a change on the UC journal as my rent has increased by £8.00.

My partner works 16 hours and I work 20 hours. We have 3 year old and 10 year old.

Will this affect our UC? Will we need to work more hours or see a coach?

Thank you in advance xxx

@Royaro

Hi

Can someone please advise, I reported a change on the UC journal as my rent has increased by £8.00.

My partner works 16 hours and I work 20 hours. We have 3 year old and 10 year old.

Will this affect our UC? Will we need to work more hours or see a coach?

Thank you in advance xxx

Rent increased. By £8 per week

A rent increase will have no impact on your UC. Your housing element will stay the same as your income hasn’t changed but it’ll cover less of your rent now that your rent is higher. I hope that helps

If your housing element is currently below the LHA your housing element will increase with the increased rent, either the full increase or to the LHA is you reach that amount. If the housing element is at or above the LHA your UC housing element won’t increase.

@JennieTheZebra is wrong and the poster after is correct as it depends on your LHA (local housing allowance)

@forevertired12 yes, you’re right but, tbh, the lha rates are so low that very few people are below it; 30th percentile is 30th percentile after all. The op was concerned that her UC would be negatively affected and I was keen to reassure without making it even more confusing.

The amount for the rent should either stay the same or go up. If you rent from a private landlord then your rent is based on the local housing allowance. Your rent would increase until the maximum. Is you are with council or a housing association then the housing element should increase.

The rent increase will not affect whether you have to look for work.
You can check Lha - this Shelter page has links to check how many bedrooms you are entitled to and the amount.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/local_housing_allowance_lha_for_private_renters

Thank you

I was wondering if they would make us look for jobs and work more hours as right now til our little one goes nursery 20 hours and 16 hours works perfectly.

Here is some information on work commitments
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/claimant-commitment-what-group/

You will be in the light touch group.

The main caregiver of a child age 3 will need to work for the equivalent of 16 hours at NMW or look for work for 16 hours. The other one of you the equivalent of 35 hours at NMW.

Sorry I’m new to this and don’t understand what NMW means x

Thank you x

NMW is national minimum wage.

Thank you, so my girl is 10 and my son is 3 and I work 20 hours and partner works 16 hours, I’m guessing they will make us look for a job with 35 hours? When will that be, my 3 year old is 4 in September xx

Your rent increasing won’t change your work commitments. The main carer giver of a 3 or 4 year old is expected to earn the equivalent of 16 hours at NMW, the other 35. You will be in the light touch group.