Universal Credit

Universal Credit is paid once per month. You will be given a payment date and will receive your payment on the same date each month.

If you receive financial help to pay your rent, this will be included in your Universal Credit payment. This is called the Housing Costs Element. There will no longer be a separate Housing Benefit payment which means that you will pay your rent directly to us as your landlord.

Your Housing Costs Element might not cover your full rent. If this is the case, you will need to top-up the payment from your personal allowance. If you have arrears, these will also need to be paid from your personal allowance.

Your first Universal Credit payment

From your date of claim it may be 5-6 weeks before you receive your first payment. If you will find it difficult to manage during these weeks you can ask the DWP for an advance payment. Advance payments are deducted from future Universal Credit payments.

Paying your rent

The easiest and most convenient way to pay your rent is to set up a direct debit or standing order. These methods will help you to avoid getting into rent arrears through missed or late payments.

You can set up a direct debit or standing order very quickly by calling our customer services team on 01785 312000 or email us to request a call universal.credit@ssha.co.uk

You can find our more on our paying your rent page.

Always make rent your top priority. If you don’t pay your rent in full and on time, you risk losing your home.

If you are having difficulties paying your rent, are concerned about debt or are worried about losing your home, please talk to us – there may be ways we can help.

1. If there is a change in your circumstances that means you need to apply for UC make your claim immediately. However, If you have lost your job it may be beneficial to wait until you have been paid before making your claim -  www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/apply-for-universal-credit/
    
2. Ensure you have a valid email address.
    
3. Ensure you have all the relevant information to hand (post code, National Insurance number, bank details, childcare costs, other benefit information).
    
4. Ensure you have a bank account that can receive your UC payment.
    
5. Think Direct Debit - this is the quickest and easiest way to pay your rent.
    
6. Keep a daily check on your online to do list to make sure that there is nothing the Job Centre is waiting for.
    
7. Ensure you attend any appointments with the Jobcentre when arranged, be that the verification or work interview - www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/prepare-for-your-interview/
    
8. Ask the Jobcentre for help with budgeting if you need it.
    
9. Contact the council to apply for Council Tax Support separately at the same time you claim UC.
    
10. Please remember - if you have an advance payment, this has to be paid back out of your first 12 monthly payments.  Make sure you only request the amount that you think you will need to live on until your first payment is due.