Own a house = claim universal credit

energystar7

Can you claim universal credit if you own your own home to the value of more than £16,000 but not if you have savings of more than £16,000?

How is the amount you can claim on universal credit based on your savings calculated?

Interest on savings is so low you can't live on it unless you have a substantial amount of savings.

KatrinaWaves

energystar7 wrote: »

Can you claim universal credit if you own your own home to the value of more than £16,000 but not if you have savings of more than £16,000?

How is the amount you can claim on universal credit based on your savings calculated?

Interest on savings is so low you can't live on it unless you have a substantial amount of savings.

You can claim UC if you own a home yes, but not if you have liquid savings. You cannot live off a house, you can live off savings.

I'm not sure of the current UC calculations, it used to be £1 for every £250 over 6k. I'm not stating it is that now.

yes interest is low. You are not expected to live on the interest. You are expected to spend your savings to fund your living costs.

calcotti

KatrinaWaves wrote: »

I'm not sure of the current UC calculations, it used to be £1 for every £250 over 6k. I'm not stating it is that now.

For UC the deduction is £4.35/month for each £250, or part thereof, above £6,000. This is the same rate of decision as £1/week on legacy benefits.

If you own the home you are living in it is ignored as capital.

Plantation7

energystar7 wrote: »

Can you claim universal credit if you own your own home to the value of more than £16,000 but not if you have savings of more than £16,000?

How is the amount you can claim on universal credit based on your savings calculated?

Interest on savings is so low you can't live on it unless you have a substantial amount of savings.

According to my DWP partner, you can only claim Jobseekers Allowance if you are a homeowner, you can't get UC if you own your own home. JSA allows the property to be dismissed as an asset if you are living in it but when JSA is fazed out who knows?

calcotti

Plantation7 wrote: »

According to my DWP partner, you can only claim Jobseekers Allowance if you are a homeowner, you can't get UC if you own your own home. JSA allows the property to be dismissed as an asset if you are living in it but when JSA is fazed out who knows?

That’s completely wrong. If you live in a home you own it is always ignored for income based benefits. If you have a second home that’s a different matter.

See https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832009/admh2.pdf

H2031 The premises occupied by a person as their home is disregarded indefinitely. Only one set of premises can be disregarded1.
1 UC Regs, Sch 10, para 1;

Muttleythefrog

calcotti wrote: »

That’s completely wrong. If you live in a home you own it is always ignored for income based benefits. If you have a second home that’s a different matter.

See https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832009/admh2.pdf

H2031 The premises occupied by a person as their home is disregarded indefinitely. Only one set of premises can be disregarded1.
1 UC Regs, Sch 10, para 1;

Is it possible they're confusing the idea that at the moment people who own their own home have not been phased into the U/C system?

calcotti

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Is it possible they're confusing the idea that at the moment people who own their own home have not been phased into the U/C system?

No because that’s not true either. Homeowners can already claim UC and the initial managed migration of claimants in the Harrogate area does not, to the best of my knowledge, have any restriction on those being migrated as regards whether or not they own their homes.

poppy12345

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Is it possible they're confusing the idea that at the moment people who own their own home have not been phased into the U/C system?

That's not correct either. Lots of people own their own home and still claim means tested benefits. If a change of circumstances prompts a move they will still need to claim UC.

Plantation7

calcotti wrote: »

No because that’s not true either. Homeowners can already claim UC and the initial managed migration of claimants in the Harrogate area does not, to the best of my knowledge, have any restriction on those being migrated as regards whether or not they own their homes.

According to my partner Home Ownership is not yet allowed under UC but don't shoot the messenger i am just trying to help.

KatrinaWaves

Plantation7 wrote: »

According to my partner Home Ownership is not yet allowed under UC but don't shoot the messenger i am just trying to help.

Your partner is incorrect.

Muttleythefrog

Guys... or gals... I was using the word "Idea" deliberately... based on the history of the managed migration... especially since they referenced phasing out of JSA. Was trying to understand where the wording 'can't claim U/C if a home owner' may have originated from that they ended up thinking.

I note now they've added "According to my partner Home Ownership is not yet allowed under UC"... which confirms my thinking was right. It's probably based on the history of the migration to U/C.... there was similar wording used and even questions here historically I recall along the same lines of confusion caused by DWP material... leading some to even think home owners would never be able to claim U/C.

I wasn't claiming it as fact... I should have been clearer.