Rent increase and UC

crossstitchamy

Hi.

I've had the dreaded phone call from my landlord my rent will be going up.

I'm on LWCRA I was awarded for 2 yrs. This was before covid 19. So I've been on lwcra for more than 2 yrs. Being a back log I'm guessing. 
Will the change of circumstances trigger my LWCRA reassessment? 
I'm thinking maybe they will look at all my claim or not? 
Just wondered if anyone had any idea.
  As last time I claimed for it with getting sick notes and the assessments,  made me so ill.  
Thank you very much.

poppy12345

Reporting changes to your housing element, will not prompt a review. Though reviews are now back on for some people. Whether you're entitled to more housing element will depend on your circumstances. If your rent is more than your maximum entitlement then you will need to pay the shortfall yourself.

crossstitchamy

Oh yeah that was another question I was going to ask. 
My rent is already £433 at 4 weekly for not the best of flats.  So I'm having to pay £43 out of my benefits already.
Not sure how much its going up by.
But my landlord just told me that my next door neighbour gets all hers paid for and her rent is more than mine.
She unemployed like me living by herself only difference is she's under 35. So her HB should be less at shared room rate. Mine is at 1 bedroom as I'm over 35 . 
I've had a look around on citizens advice etc I can't see how I would get it all paid for . 

HillStreetBlues

The next door neighbour might have told the LL that she gets it all paid for, unless LL get money direct (unusual on UC)  then the LL wouldn't know that to  be wrong.

crossstitchamy

HillStreetBlues said:

The next door neighbour might have told the LL that she gets it all paid for, unless LL get money direct (unusual on UC)  then the LL wouldn't know that to  be wrong.

Very possible. I'll see the landlord tomorrow anyway see what she says . 

poppy12345

As you're already paying a contribution towards your rent then that suggests you're already receiving your maximum entitlement and the changes will make no difference to your overall benefits entitlement.

If your neighbour is claiming either PIP daily living or DLA mid/high rate care then they will also be receiving the 1 bedroom rate of LHA like yourself, even though they are under 35.

You can apply for a DHP if your financially struggling to pay the shortfall. It's not guaranteed that you will be successful and if you are then it's only paid for a short period of time before you need to reapply.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

crossstitchamy

Thank you very much. Much appreciated. 
Looks like I will have to look for a better flat for what I'm paying. My kitchen is so small cant fit a washing machine in. Having to use a camping one in the bath instead 

HillStreetBlues

crossstitchamy said:

Thank you very much. Much appreciated. 
Looks like I will have to look for a better flat for what I'm paying. My kitchen is so small cant fit a washing machine in. Having to use a camping one in the bath instead 

Your situation totally sums up the the LHA isn't fit for purpose.

On my old address every property within 40 miles (well over 100) is over the LHA amount, there in not one that is equal to or below
On my new address every property within 40 miles  (over 50) is over the LHA amount, there in not one that is equal to or below


This will only get worse with the interest rate rise, it will mean at some point nearly every private renter will need to top up their rent.

Jyana

HillStreetBlues said:

crossstitchamy said:

Thank you very much. Much appreciated. 
Looks like I will have to look for a better flat for what I'm paying. My kitchen is so small cant fit a washing machine in. Having to use a camping one in the bath instead 

Your situation totally sums up the the LHA isn't fit for purpose.

On my old address every property within 40 miles (well over 100) is over the LHA amount, there in not one that is equal to or below
On my new address every property within 40 miles  (over 50) is over the LHA amount, there in not one that is equal to or below


This will only get worse with the interest rate rise, it will mean at some point nearly every private renter will need to top up their rent.

I saw this article the other day, reporting that only 5% of new rentals are affordable on LHA. The lowest rate ever, unsurprisingly.

That figure is an average across the country ofc, some areas it's nearly 8% but others it's only a couple of per cent qualifying at all. And those properties that do are generally the least energy efficient, safe & secure, or run by scrupulous landlords.

sammyjammy

They are determined not to review it and drive more and more people into poverty and homelessness!  Lets hope a change of government will come and hopefully with it a change to how people are treated (can dream!)