Confused About Universal Credit

LocoLoco

Hi there, I wonder if anyone can help?

We are moving at some point this year to a different county. I read that a house move to a new area would count as a change of circs and therefore trigger a UC claim but when I put the numbers into a benefit calculator it wouldn't calculate at UC rates as the area I'm moving to isn't due to go live until next summer (2019). Does anyone know if we'd automatically change over when we move this year or if it wouldn't happen until next year?

With that in mind, I was looking at the list of rates on this site:

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal-Credit-Rates

Does anyone know if that includes your rent payment or is your LHA amount on top of that?

The other thing that confused me is that on the above chart there's a listing for a Carer's Element. On the next page it says Carer's Allowance is paid separately - so is Carer's Element instead of Carer's Allowance or a different thing altogether?

Sorry for the questions but I'm not finding it very clear on the various websites. Many thanks in advance

konark

If the area you move to isn't 'live' you will stay on legacy benefits unless you meet the 'Gateway' conditions which are usually, single, no HB, no children.

LocoLoco

konark wrote: »

If the area you move to isn't 'live' you will stay on legacy benefits unless you meet the 'Gateway' conditions which are usually, single, no HB, no children.

That's helpful, Konark, thank you, one less thing to worry about