Universal Credit
Universal Credit is calculated by the DWP, and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if claimant is in receipt of Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is a benefit which is paid to single people who would have claimed Job Seekers Allowance. The payment will usually be a single, monthly payment which is paid in arrears directly into the claimant’s account. Payments will include all eligible housing costs, where appropriate – which means that claimants will be responsible for paying their rent themselves.
Tenant Arrears
Housing Benefit
We recommend that, if a tenant is starting to build up rent arrears (more than 2 weeks), you should get in touch with us before it gets to eight weeks. This will allow us to investigate whether there is a problem that needs addressing. It is possible that future payments may be made to you where appropriate. To consider this, we will need proof of the arrears.
Universal Credit
If a tenant is having difficulty paying their rent, fill in the UC47 form to request payment of rent from a tenant’s Universal Credit.
Information we can give
If you contact us we are limited with the information we can give you because a claimant’s information is confidential. However, we can give certain information in some cases where the landlords are seen as a 'person affected'. This could be when:
- We are recovering an overpayment from you. We can let you know the amount, period and reasons for an overpayment being recovered.
- We are paying Housing Benefit directly to you. We can let you know the amount, weekly benefit rate and period covered by payment sent directly to you, and the date direct payments stop.
- Direct payments to a Landlord have been refused. We can explain why.
Tenant consent
We can discuss a claim if the tenant gives us permission by signing a tenant consent form. Where a claimant has not asked for benefit to be paid directly to the landlord, we cannot give any information about a claim at all.
We can also give landlords information if a tenant has signed a letter confirming that their landlord can act on their behalf. Tenant consent can vary between tenants and we can confirm the claimant's intentions whenever we feel that it is suitable.
Other information
We may provide landlords with other information if the needs of the claimant make it suitable or if it helps the benefits administration e.g. when we are waiting for more information from the tenant.