Universal credits querie

JJ2k1981

Hi, I've been on universal credits for about 4 months now but when the switch went from Jsa and housing benefits it put me into arrears with my council. I get the standard rate of universal credits for housing but because of the increase of the rent by an extra 70 a month its leaving me a bit short with money. Just wondering how to go about the situation. Thanks for reading

pmlindyloo

Did the arrears come about because of the switch to UC (not sure how that happened as UC is backdated) or because of the increase in the rent?

pmlindyloo

In any case you could apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment is there is a good reason for not being able to pay it.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Discretionary-Housing-Payment/What-is-a-Discretionary-Housing-Payment

Why has your rent increased? Due to a non dependent deduction?

JJ2k1981

Yes it happened while I was on the switch over. To be honest the universal credits has flipped me upside down financially. I think it was also because they paid to much housing benefit and have also deducted that from my claim. I did go self employed for a total of one month which also threw a spanner in the works. Thanks for the reply.