move to uc

Hi debmarc,

You will get 2 weeks Housing Benefit run on. After that you will get a UC payment 7 days after the end of your assessment period. Your assessment period runs from the start date of your claim for a calendar month.
If you are a social housing tenant your rent should be covered by the monthly UC housing cost payment.

David

Hi diceman24,

The wait you mention applies to all UC claimants. You may be eligible to apply for a UC Advance which is paid back through future deductions. You can apply for the Advance on your UC account.

David

Hi debmarc,

Universal Credit payments include the Housing Element. They are not separate as was the case with Housing Benefit and ESA or Income Support with one being paid by the Council and the other by the DWP.
So to answer your question the Housing Element does not come into effect separately and is part of UC. As it is part of UC it starts when you make your UC claim on the same day which is also the start day of your UC assessment period.
Your Housing Benefit is automatically terminated on the day you make your UC claim.
You will be paid your UC at the end of your Assessment Period plus 7 days. The amount will include your Housing Element and you are supposed to be responsible for the rent reaching the landlord.
I quote from Gov.uk on Universal Credit....
"Universal Credit prepares claimants for the world of work in which 75% of employees are paid monthly. It also encourages claimants to take responsibility for their own financial affairs. To that end, Universal Credit is paid in a single monthly sum to households who are expected to manage their own budgets."
If you would rather not be responsible for paying your rent to the landlord you can ask UC for a direct rent payment. This is known as an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) as per quote below...
" 1. Types of Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs)
APAs are for claimants who cannot manage their single monthly payment and there is a risk of financial harm to the claimant or their family.
The move to a single monthly household payment is a significant change to the way most benefits are currently paid.
The following APAs are available to help claimants who need additional support:

paying rent directly to their landlord, known as a ‘managed payment’

more frequent payments: twice a month – or in exceptional circumstances 4 times a month – instead of once a month
split payment of an award between partners in a couple

Please let me know if you have any questions,
David