If so, check entitledto to see if you can get any help that may boost your income.
Did you know many working people are missing out on regular monthly payments? And over 40% of Universal Credit claimants are in regular paid work.
Universal Credit is calculated and paid each month based on the information given to HMRC. If you have:
- fluctuating wages
- zero-hour contracts
- periods of sick pay
It could be worthwhile getting a Universal Credit calculation.
For example:
- A single person with two children who pays £160 rent per week and takes home £2,000 a month, could get £650 Universal Credit per month.
- A couple with two children who pays £105 rent per week and take home £2,500 a month, could get £290 Universal Credit per month.
- A couple with two children who pays £160 rent per week and take home £3,000 a month, could get £250 Universal Credit per month.
- If your rent is higher, or you have three or more children born before April 2017, you could receive more. Childcare costs and disability support would also boost these rates.
Universal Credit can also help adult occupants on a low income, if they live with a tenant, such as their parents.
If you’re already receiving housing benefit and/or Tax Credits, please get advice before changing benefits, from somewhere such as Citizens Advice. There may be cases where you’re no better off by making a claim.
Shared ownership and Universal Credit
Universal Credit could help with your rent and mortgage interest payments.
Pensioners and housing benefit
The latest estimates on housing benefit for pensioners suggests only 84% of pensioners claim what they are entitled to.
You could be missing out on £10-£40 per week.
- A single pensioner without a disability benefit would have to receive more than £350 per week not to get help on a £100 a week rent.
- A pensioner couple without a disability benefit would have to receive £450 per week not to get help on a £100 a week rent.
If you have savings of £16,000 or more, you won’t recieve housing benefit. There are lower entitlements for those that reached state pension age after 1 April 2021.
Looking for advice?
If you would like advice on any of the options above, please call our Welfare and Benefits team on 0300 3300 900, selecting options 2,1,3 or you can email the team on myadvice@havebury.com
Needing further support?
We understand everyone is under extra pressure because of increased bills and living costs. We have put together some resources that you may find helpful over the coming months, and please get in touch with us as soon as you can if you know paying your rent will be a problem. Cost of living help.
