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Rise in Rent = Reduction in Universal Credit??
- Jon
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11 hours 42 minutes ago #316027 by Jon
Rise in Rent = Reduction in Universal Credit?? was created by Jon
Hi,
I was migrated over to UC from Income Based ESA and had a Transitional Element to cove me for the difference.
I wrote to DWP recently via my UC online account, as I noticed a £4.53 reduction in my UC.
They replied that as my Council flat rent had increased in April 2026, my Universal Credit is reduced by the same amount .
Is this right?
I fully understand that as the UC increases annually, I will not get that increase, but neither will I get a decrease as my Transitional Element should cover the difference. But I was not under the impression that rent increases should decrease my Universal Credit.
If this were the case, if I lived somewhere with much higher rent, I could be potentially on very little UC to live on.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Jon
I was migrated over to UC from Income Based ESA and had a Transitional Element to cove me for the difference.
I wrote to DWP recently via my UC online account, as I noticed a £4.53 reduction in my UC.
They replied that as my Council flat rent had increased in April 2026, my Universal Credit is reduced by the same amount .
Is this right?
I fully understand that as the UC increases annually, I will not get that increase, but neither will I get a decrease as my Transitional Element should cover the difference. But I was not under the impression that rent increases should decrease my Universal Credit.
If this were the case, if I lived somewhere with much higher rent, I could be potentially on very little UC to live on.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Jon
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- David
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8 hours 1 minute ago #316034 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic Rise in Rent = Reduction in Universal Credit??
Hi Jon
Your UC payment is made up for your normal UC plus the Transitional Protection which is a sort of temporary compensation for clamants losing out when they are forced to move from Benefits such as Income Base ESA to UC. However the government has designed it to be temporary and for the Transtional Protection to be reduced annually. Unfortunately a rent increase is taken off the Transitional Protection which is what is intended.
As your landlord is a Council the rent increase is communicated to UC via the landlord portal so they get the information automatically.
David
Your UC payment is made up for your normal UC plus the Transitional Protection which is a sort of temporary compensation for clamants losing out when they are forced to move from Benefits such as Income Base ESA to UC. However the government has designed it to be temporary and for the Transtional Protection to be reduced annually. Unfortunately a rent increase is taken off the Transitional Protection which is what is intended.
As your landlord is a Council the rent increase is communicated to UC via the landlord portal so they get the information automatically.
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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