Urgent advice

mrsdoolay

Hello. Need some advice urgently. My partner was the main bread winner but was laid off around 10 days ago due to corona stopping work in his work place ( it was agency his contract was with). So far no look job hunting. I work part time and also claim carers allowance for my son. Sons Dla runs out in 2 weeks and no word on renewal decision. Today we have had a letter saying our tax cred as been stopped due to change of circumstances. 

 We have applied for universal credit but find the whole process pretty confusing and had no responce from the application online . Weve basically got my £400 monthly wage due in 3 weeks, last payment of carers and dla which will be around £600 plus then child benefit monthly. Our out goings including rent and loan repyments  comes to over a grand a month in total. Both our bank accounts are as good as empty 
Not sure where to turn really. 
Thanks in advance

Galloglass

By applying for Universal Credit, the tax credits are automatically stopped. On UC you will be able to claim carer's element, rent, standard allowance. DLA is not taken into account and should continue (but it is not certain)

Why not try the benefits calculators (https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou) to get an idea of your UC payment. If you check your journal, you will get an answer eventually.

You can apply for an UC advance to cover you until the UC comes in in about 5 weeks.

mrsdoolay

Thanks yer never claimed before unsure how it all works. Do you have to apply for housing seperate?? I dont think it will cover our rent as in private 

poppy12345

Your housing benefit will continue for 2 weeks and then transfer to UC and it will be one monthly payment all included in the UC amount. You will need your tenancy agreement to claim the housing element.

mrsdoolay

poppy12345 said:

Your housing benefit will continue for 2 weeks and then transfer to UC and it will be one monthly payment all included in the UC amount. You will need your tenancy agreement to claim the housing element.

Thanks, will have to sort housing asap. 

mrsdoolay

Also does anyone know where we would stand with landlord regarding housing benefit? It was a no dss property. And got it based on partners income 

poppy12345

Sorry my mistake, i read it that you were already claiming housing benefit.

Universal Credit don't usually contact a landlord, so whether you tell your landlord, is your decision but lots of mortgage lenders will not allow landlords to rent to those claiming DSS. As you need your tenancy agreement to claim the housing element, if you don't have it then you'll need to ask your landlord for a copy of that too.

calcotti

The Carer’s Allowance payments will continue as separate payments. The UC payable will be reduced by an equivalent amount (but includes the carer element).

Spoonie_Turtle

Btw if your son's DLA is renewed you'll also be entitled to a disabled child addition as well. The carers element is not payable if the DLA stops, but again if it's renewed you will be entitled to it.

mrsdoolay

Much appreciated. Online housing benefit is submitted. 

poppy12345

mrsdoolay said:

Much appreciated. Online housing benefit is submitted. 

You can't claim housing benefit, new claims only exist under certain conditions.

As you've applied for UC then your housing element will be paid as part of UC.