Universal Credit housing benefit

aquablue0

Hi everyone,

I'm currently on universal credit with LCWRA and I earn a little bit from my hobby (which i have to say i'm self employed for lol) and I'd like to move out of my parents home one day to rent something. I was wondering how housing benefit works. Like do you have to already live somewhere for a certain amount of time before you can apply for it? What happens if you apply for it while you're on LCWRA, how long does it take etc? I was going to rent private so I saw that they can only pay the housing allowance of your local place which I understand. Really would appreciate information. Thank you

poppy12345

Unless you're either living in supported or temporary housing you can no longer claiming housing benefit. Rent will be paid as part of your UC entitlement known as housing element.

If you're renting privately then your housing element entitlement will be based on the local housing allowance for the area you're living. If you're single and under 35 you'll be entitled to the shared rate of LHA, unless you're claiming either daily living PIP or mid/high rate care DLA and then you'll be entitled to 1 bedroom rate of LHA. You can check the rates here for the area you want to live. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

When you move into your home you'll need to report a change of circumstances on your journal and tell them you're now renting a property. You will need to send evidence of your liability to pay rent, such as tenancy agreement or lodgers agreement.

The housing element will increase your maximum UC entitlement. Your other elements will remain the same.

aquablue0

@poppy12345
Thank you for that and for your time. I also claim high PIP for daily living and the normal one for mobility, what does that mean for me in LHA? And how long do you think it will take before the housing benefit is accepted and starts being added to the payment? Thanks for much for your reply and sorry for all the questions.

poppy12345

Then regardles of your age, if you're single you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA. See link above. You will be entitled from the assessment period in which you reported the changes. It's not housing benefit, that's a completely different benefit. It's known as housing element.

aquablue0

@poppy12345 Thank you again, and sorry yeah housing element I keep forgetting lol