UC - doesn’t even cover rent???

poppy12345

Deleted_User said:

onthecase said:

Thanks - he’s 38. Lives in a 3 bed terrace. I don’t know how they’ve got to the figure but he had the interview today and took in the doctors note. 

Universal Credit is geared around getting people back into employment and not allowing them to remain on benefits indefinitely.

That's not quite correct. Lots of people on low income continue to claim UC and work. People also contain to claim UC if they have a health condition that limits their capability to work.

Deleted_User said:

onthecase said:

Thanks - he’s 38. Lives in a 3 bed terrace. I don’t know how they’ve got to the figure but he had the interview today and took in the doctors note. 

To help you understand a bit better, his Universal credit is made up of Elements.  He is entitled to a single over 25 allowance (usually £324.84); Housing costs £425.01.

Standard allowance for single person over 25 is now £334.91. Their housing element maybe completely different amount to yours.

elsien

Deleted_User said:

onthecase said:

Thanks - he’s 38. Lives in a 3 bed terrace. I don’t know how they’ve got to the figure but he had the interview today and took in the doctors note. 

Because your son is over 35, he entitled to the one room rate of the local housing allowance which varies according to where you live in the country.  In my local authority area this is £425.01/month.  The fact that he is in a 3 bed house does not qualify him for the 3 bed rate, so his options are limited.  He either has to work to subsidise his rent on UC or move to a 1 bed property.  Yes he could apply for a DHP, but this is a very short term solution .   DHP funding can be used in extenuating circumstances to support his tenancy whilst in a rehab clinic if there is a realistic prospect of him reducing his dependence on the funds as local authorities do not have endless funds to support someone who is in an unaffordable tenancy.

Universal Credit is geared around getting people back into employment and not allowing them to remain on benefits indefinitely.

To help you understand a bit better, his Universal credit is made up of Elements.  He is entitled to a single over 25 allowance (usually £324.84); Housing costs £425.01.  These form the basis of his maximum award.  If he takes an advance this will be taken back every month at quite a high rate which will leave him with next to nothing to live on.  He has the option as well of requesting a Direct payment to his landlord which given his alcohol issues is probably a good idea.

He can apply for the limited capability for work elements as well.  This is awarded at two different rates (lower and higher).  LLCW means that he would be required to seek work.  HLCW means that he would not be required to seek work and both are awarded only once a capability assessment has been done.  DWP have quite a backlog so this could take months and that does not help him.

If he is too ill to work and requires care because he can't look after himself, which if he is an alcoholic is a possibility, then he could claim Personal Independence payments.  These are paid at the standard and the enhanced rates and require an assessment backed up by medical evidence.  Payments of PIP are not assessed as income within his means testing for UC, but can provide a much needed additional income.

If your son is taken into a rehab clinic, then Universal credit must be advised and they should pay him as temporarily absent from the property receiving approved medical care.  This would safeguard his tenancy.

That's not entirely correct either. PIP can be claimed whether working or not and can be claimed on mental health grounds but it's based on care needs and not on diagnosis. 
Can I claim PIP? : Mental Health & Money Advice (mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org)

sourpuss2021

If he is lucky enough to have a tenancy for a privately rented three bed property, would it be an option for him to get a lodger or two?

This idea is fraught with difficulty because as an alcoholic with mental health issues, he may only attract wrong'uns who will make his mental health and anxiety even worse.  Stopping his home feeling like a safe place.

However if he lives in a vaguely desirable area he might be able to find, e.g., international students, people working nearby on short-term contracts, etc, who don't pay too much attention to the landlord but will provide him with a reliable extra income.   One bonus is that any income from lodgers will be ignored for the purposes of his Universal Credit.

Perhaps worth having a chat with his landlord to see if this might be an option?

Life__Goes__On

Deleted_User said:

  Yes it is based on care needs and not diagnosis but it requires an assessment before the decision to award it is made.  

Just to make it clear to OP
A decision can be made by the DM if their assessment of the evidence provided allows them to make an award.

That is different to having attend an "assessment" (not all PIP claimants have one)

[Deleted User]

There is a very big difference between requiring an assessment and having to attend an assessment.  Why are you hammering me by trying to put words into my mouth that were not said.   

danjackson2021

onthecase said:

Thanks - he’s 38. Lives in a 3 bed terrace. I don’t know how they’ve got to the figure but he had the interview today and took in the doctors note. 

One person on benefits should not live in a three bed house and expect others to pay for it

JJC1956

Jack_bauer24 said:

onthecase said:

Thanks - he’s 38. Lives in a 3 bed terrace. I don’t know how they’ve got to the figure but he had the interview today and took in the doctors note. 

I think your son needs to move to a small property like a 1 bed flat if he is living on his own as UC will not pay full Housing rent. He needs to move to a cheaper property to ensure full rent is covered. 

Moving into a 1 bed property is essential but not as easy as it sounds, agencies will probably want 6 weeks rent plus 1 month deposit.

sourpuss2021

danjackson2021 said:

onthecase said:

Thanks - he’s 38. Lives in a 3 bed terrace. I don’t know how they’ve got to the figure but he had the interview today and took in the doctors note. 

One person on benefits should not live in a three bed house and expect others to pay for it

If a private landlord has agreed to have one person as a tenant then that is nobody else's business!   I don't think we are talking about social housing here.

But if course it's down to that individual to make it work, whether that involves taking in lodgers or finding work on top of any available benefits.