Moving from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are moving claimants from legacy benefits, such as Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance to Universal Credit.
Migration Notices will be issued to claimants, advising them that their legacy benefit is ending, and that they need to claim Universal Credit; there will be a deadline date provided (usually three months)
What does this mean for me as a Council Tenant?
If you have been receiving Housing Benefit, this will be replaced by the Housing Element of Universal Credit. Your Housing Benefit will therefore stop. Universal Credit will work out how much you are entitled to towards your rent, and include this in your monthly Universal Credit payment, listed as Housing Element.
This will automatically be paid to you, it is your responsibility to make sure you then pay your rent. Whereas Housing Benefit was automatically paid to your rent account weekly, Universal Credit is paid monthly and the Housing Element is paid in arrears. E.g. Universal Credit payment received 15 April 2024 which includes £423.10 Housing Element for rent.
The payment period this is for is 09/03/2024 - 08/04/2024
Will my rent be in arrears?
Unless your account has been in credit, yes.
Rent is charged weekly, and the Council’s tenancy agreements state that rent should be paid in advance.
As Universal Credit pay monthly in arrears, you would need to contact Customer Accounts 02476 376323 customer.accounts@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk to discuss this further, and come to an arrangement to get your rent account in advance, in line with the terms of your tenancy.
If your rent account falls into arrears, you may be subject to court action which ultimately could result in you losing your home. To avoid such action, you must engage with us and make us aware of your circumstances so that we can support you.
Alternative Payment Arrangements
A request can be made either from the claimant or the landlord (Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council) for payment to be made to the landlord directly each month.
If you would like to request this, please contact Customer Accounts on 02476 376323 or customer.accounts@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk