Calls For Universal Credit Housing Benefit To Automatically Go To Landlords

Calls have been made for the housing element of Universal Credit to automatically go to landlords. The current system sees claimants opt in for their benefits to go directly towards rent. However, research by Scottish Labour suggests fewer than half of eligible households currently have it paid direct to their landlord. The party has called for the housing element to be paid directly to landlords in all instances, with claimants having the option of opting out of that practice if they wish. Read more on the ITV website.

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-14/calls-for-universal-credit-housing-benefit-to-automatically-go-to-landlords/

Universal Credit Sends Rent Arrears Soaring

Ministers are coming under intense pressure to put the brakes on the government’s flagship welfare reform programme, following damning new evidence that it is leaving thousands of low-paid workers unable to pay their rent and at risk of homelessness. Figures show that half of all council tenants across 105 local authorities who receive the housing element of universal credit are at least a month behind on their rent, with 30% two months behind. The Peabody Group said the rate of rent arrears among its tenants on universal credit was three times greater than those not on the new benefit. It said the average level of arrears for those on universal credit was £1,400 per household. Read more on the Observer website.

Universal Credit: Housing Benefit – Parliamentary Written Answer

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the estimated average annual cost to the public purse will be of removing the housing benefit element of universal credit from 18 to 21 year-olds.

Caroline Nokes: Current estimates suggest that the removal of the housing costs element of universal credit from 18 to 21 year olds will save £95 million over the course of the current Parliament.

Housing Benefit: Young People – Parliamentary Written Answer

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people aged under 21 who will be affected by the proposed removal of the housing benefit element of universal credit.

Caroline Nokes: Current estimates suggest that 10,000 people will be affected by the policy by 2020/21.

Universal Credit – Parliamentary Written Answer

Stephen Timms:  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the level of work allowance for universal credit will be for people (a) with and (b) without a housing element included in their universal credit in each of the next five years.

Damian Hinds: The work allowance rates are set out in regulations, and are £192 for those with housing costs and £397 for those without.

Universal Credit Test Launch Delayed

The Government’s “flagship” Universal Credit Pathfinder was due to launch in 4 areas (Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Wigan and Warrington) on April 29th.

However, just before Easter, DWP announced a delay in three of the pathfinder areas until July so that Ashton-under-Lyne will be the first Jobcentre to accept claims for Universal Credit from 29 April. The pathfinder only covers new claims from jobseekers - so it will only apply to people with no live Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit claim. However, it will include the Housing Element of Universal Credit for new jobseeking claimants who wish to apply for help with housing costs.  Read more on the Homeless Link website.