Fortnightly payments on UC

stupidaspie

I'm on UC and have been made a provisional offer of housing. I live with family so my current payments don't include a housing costs element. Basically, the £409 standard allowance will have to cover the first few weeks' rent (although I have access to some additional funds). My next payment is due this week but if I got another payment two weeks later that would really help, but even if UC agreed to fortnightly payments something tells me I wouldn't get a payment 14 days after requesting the APA.

You can request fortnightly payments by calling the helpline, sending a form which is available online, or you can ask your Work Coach. Does anyone know the best way to do it?

I didn't mention the provisional offer in my phone appointment this week because it's yet to be confirmed. It would have been very relevant as my only commitment pending a WCA is to seek rehousing in the borough my family has relocated from, as relocating has caused a deterioration in my mental wellbeing (I have various other issues too). Is it likely to be an issue that I didn't mention the provisional offer to my Work Coach if I request an APA this week?

I think I can make a good case because I have at least two of the personal problems mentioned in a list of circumstances in which the DWP considers APAs to be beneficial. Fortnightly payments would also help me meet my commitment to relocate by helping me to sustain my tenancy.

One more question: When my Housing Element is paid next month, will it be a whole month's worth or only from the date I report the change (eg, only a few days' worth if I reported that I'd moved at the end of the month)?

calcotti

stupidaspie said: When my Housing Element is paid next month, will it be a whole month's worth or only from the date I report the change (eg, only a few days' worth if I reported that I'd moved at the end of the month)?

With UC, for most things, your UC is based on the circumstances on the last day of your assessment period (AP).  You will therefore be entitled to have the housing element included in your UC for the whole of the AP in which you become liable for rent. 

(Not replying to the rest of your question because I have no knowledge of fortnightly payments.

tomtom256

Fortnighlty payments won't effect until the next pay date, but could take longer as they may also look at paying your landlord direct as part of the alternative payment arrangement.

stupidaspie

tomtom256 said:

Fortnighlty payments won't effect until the next pay date, but could take longer as they may also look at paying your landlord direct as part of the alternative payment arrangement.

Knew it!

calcotti said:

With UC, for most things, your UC is based on the circumstances on the last day of your assessment period (AP).  You will therefore be entitled to have the housing element included in your UC for the whole of the AP in which you become liable for rent.

That's good at least. Thanks both.

Some info on fortnightly payments here:

https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/resources/article/universal-credit-alternative-payment-arrangements

stupidaspie

I signed the tenancy on Friday and the council suggested that I report my housing costs tomorrow. Is it an issue that I haven't moved in yet, and should I also apply for a council tax discount ASAP?

NedS

stupidaspie said:

I signed the tenancy on Friday and the council suggested that I report my housing costs tomorrow. Is it an issue that I haven't moved in yet, and should I also apply for a council tax discount ASAP?

On UC, you can not report changes in advance as the system will not accept a date in the future. You will need to report the change on the date that is on the tenancy agreement - the date the tenancy begins.

stupidaspie

The date on the tenancy agreement is today.

NedS

stupidaspie said:

The date on the tenancy agreement is today.

Then go ahead and report the change from today as that is the date from which you are legally liable for the rent. That is the date that counts.

stupidaspie

Thank you. Do I select the option "I've moved" when I report the change, or "something else"?

Edit: I selected "I've moved" since changes on UC apply to the entire assessment period, as Calcotti states.

NedS

stupidaspie said:

Thank you. Do I select the option "I've moved" when I report the change, or "something else"?

If it's a new address, then "I've moved". If you were staying at the same address, but something else has changed (like the rent has gone up) then it would be "Something else". So for you, it's "I've moved"

stupidaspie

You must've replied just as I edited my post!