Housing benefits and UC

Kerryann84

I've just signed up for universal credit, and I've been told I won't get full entitlement for rent and due to this, after my bills have been paid I'm left with £12 for food. They mentioned discretionary housing payment, I looked into it and from what I've read, I might not get it. I did some further digging and it seems the problem might be down to me having a second bedroom, so I checked if renting the room could impact me even more and the answer was pretty much yes. So would moving to a single bedroom flat, improve my situation. I just don't know what to do.

pmlindyloo

How old are you? Do you live in social housing or privately rented accommodation?

Basically UC and HB have different rules.

So, depending on your age you would be entitled to either the shared accommodation rate (below 35 yrs old for single people) or one bed rate for privately rented accommodation.

If you took a lodger the money they pay you is not counted as income for UC but you would not raise your entitlement to the housing element as a lodger is not counted in the bedroom calculation.

Please read this:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal-Credit-Sub-Tenants

and then answer the above questions plus how much your rent is and what housing element have they given you (the amount)

If it is difficult for you to move because you are bound to a contract or want to retain your social housing then a DHP may be helpful in the interim.

Kerryann84

I'm 33 and rent privately. Thanks for posting the link, I'll read through.

I'm looking into moving, but I'm worried that I might end up still in the same situation or worse.