Question about paying housing benefit directly to me and moving

11krage

Also bear in mind UC can only pay housing element up to what you're entitled to. I've seen eighteen year olds move from parent's house into 850 per month apartments assuming UC will pay whatever the rent is. If you're single with no kids and under 35 that amount can be very low as you're expected to be able to rent a room in a shared house rather than needing your own solo apartment. You might want to check the amount you'd get to see what you can afford before moving.

Paying rent direct to your landlord rather than to yourself under UC should have only been done if you have a condition or other severe reason that means you can't pay your rent yourself. So before you ask to get the rent paid direct to yourself, you'd need to think about whether your condition has changed enough that you're now able to pay rent direct to your landlord and budget your money in order to do so.

The jobcentre can also refer you to money guidance to help with your budgeting issues.