Whether you need a benefit check to see if you're getting everything you're entitled to, help managing your budget or paying your rent, our teams are here to help you.
Money Advice & Support
Help to pay your rent
There are a number of options which may help you to pay your rent:
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Alternative Payment Arrangement
An Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) via Universal Credit can be requested by a claimant or a claimants Landlord for those who may struggle to budget their monthly rent payment where there is a risk of it causing financial harm to the claimant or their family. These can be split into two payments per month to make budgeting easier. If you feel you may benefit from your rent payment being paid direct to your Landlord due to issues with struggling to budget, rent arrears or other vulnerabilities then you can request this at any time via your Universal Credit Journal, by speaking with your Work Coach or by calling 0800 328 5644.
Find out more about Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).
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Bimonthly
If you receive Housing Benefit to pay your rent, you can request your local council to pay us directly. This can help you budget.
It is important to remember that if there are any changes in your household or income, you must report them. This includes people moving in or out, children reaching adult age or leaving full-time education, changes in hourly rates of pay or any other income you may receive, and any changes in the amount of savings you may have. Such changes can affect the amount of help you are entitled to for paying your rent.
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Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs.
You can apply for a DHP if you currently get either:
- Housing Benefit
- the housing element of Universal Credit and need more financial support with housing costs
You need to apply to your local council. Find out more here.
Help and support for payments and money
Below are links to some help and support articles relating to payments and money.
- Help & Support
Has your UC account been closed without warning? This could be why
If you have found your UC account closed without warning, it could be because of the increase in Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET).
- Help & Support
Universal Credit and Carers Allowance
Carers Allowance is given to those who spend at least 35 hours per week providing regular care for someone with a disability. Find out more about how Universal Credit affects those claiming Carers Allowance.
- Help & Support
Benefit changes for households who have a child leaving home to study
Benefits have changed for those who have a child who is leaving home to study at university or college.
- Help & Support
Help and support with arrears
We always encourage customers to tell us straight away if they are experiencing problems paying their rent and there is a range of help available.
- Help & Support
Non-Charging Rent Weeks
Some of our customers enjoy four non-charging rent weeks per year. In some cases, you'll not be eligible for them either because you're in arrears, you pay rent monthly or by direct debit so you already benefit from this discount.
- Help & Support
- Thu, 07/07/2022
Universal Credit and non-dependant deductions
A non-dependent deduction or ‘Housing Costs contribution’ can be deducted from the housing costs element of your Universal Credit claim if you have someone aged 21 or over living with you.
- Help & Support
Moving home and housing benefit
If you're moving home find out what you need to do to ensure you continue to receive your Housing Benefit claim.
- Help & Support
Am I entitled to any extra help?
Find out how to check if you're entitled to any extra help with welfare and benefits.
- Help & Support
Benefit caps for growing families
Benefit caps for growing families - what you need to know
- Help & Support
Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could get £150 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
- Help & Support
Reporting rent changes on your Universal Credit journal
Reporting rent changes on your Universal Credit journal.
- Help & Support
- Thu, 07/07/2022
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – what you need to know
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term ill-health or disability.
- Help & Support
Loan Sharks - Advice and Guidance
Don't get taken in by loan sharks, follow this advice to ensure you don't get bitten.
- Help & Support
Turning pension age? You could qualify for pension credit
Could we help you or your family member with pension credit? Find out what our Welfare Benefits and Money Advice Team could do for you!
- Help & Support
New government backed free money advice website launched
Looking for some online money advice? This free service could answer a variety of your questions.