Universal Credit

[LadyDTM]

I have been made redundant from my job and will need to claim universal credit (hopefully short term) I have tried calling to ask questions, no answer after being put on hold for ages. Does anyone know if you can recieve help with paying charges for a flat, service charges etc. I own the flat so won't need help with mortgage. I haven't been with the company long enough to receive any significant redundancy. Thanks in advance. (Wasn't sure what section this should go in)

[Chinajan]

To whom do you pay service charges?

[Maydup]

Usually to a managing agent China. It covers ground rent and communal cleaning and repairs.

[Maydup]

Its seems you can claim if you provide evidence of the charges. Have a look here.

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/housing/

[Chinajan]

Right. You may be able to claim if the charges are a condition of your leasehold agreement.

Help with service charges in Universal Credit


https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Housing-overview-Universal-Credit

These service charges must be a condition of your rent or leasehold agreement and can only be for the following:

general maintenance of the building, for example outside repairs and window cleaning
general upkeep of communal areas, for example gardens and hallways
basic shared services, for example lifts and rubbish collection
specified accommodation costs, for example basic furniture or domestic appliances

[Paigntonian]

I deal with Universal Credit at a DWP Service Centre. Yes, you can get help with service charges. The best advice is to use your UC Journal (Gov.uk) rather than go through your Work Coach. There's no need to stay on hold on the phone. As you own your flat there may be a problem with assets above the UC threshhold but that does not prevent you from claiming JSA - yes, it's still going. A litle tip for you: Don't reply to messages from your WC with 'thanks'. The word is filtered out and the message does not get to the WC. Hope that is helpful.

[jackthehat]

Apparently, you will receive *no* help at all for 9 months (from the date of your UC application) with your Service Charges. Providing you have not earned a single, solitary penny within that time you may be entitled to help - an SMI (Service Mortgage Interest) loan. If you do earn anything, the 9 months will re-set from the end of the original 9 month period.
The Work Coach (JSA/Job Centre) only deal with getting you back into work, your Case Manager oversees your application and payments for UC.
Any response even 'Thanks' is an acknowledgement that you have received and understood all messages, and will always be welcome.

[THECORBYLOON]

You're right about not getting the SMI with UC if there's income from employment but if that employment ends, the thirty-nine week period starts again, not after the original end date.

[jackthehat]

Sorry TCL, Mrs JtH spent yesterday inputting about 30 SMIs in exactly the way described.
That part of the claim is not looked at for 9 months and if there has been something earned in that period, the computer resets for another 9 months.

[THECORBYLOON]

From the Government website.

"If you receive Universal Credit

You cannot get SMI if you get any of the following income:

earnings from your job if you’re employed or self-employed
...
...

To start getting SMI (or get it again if your SMI stopped), you’ll need to stop getting this income and then get Universal Credit for 9 months in a row."

I thought it was thirty-nine weeks but it's saying nine months there.

[THECORBYLOON]

Just read it's nine months for UC but thirty-nine weeks for other benefits.

[jackthehat]

LadyDTM - My wife has been advising people in your situation to approach mortgage companies/banks to see about securing finance for Service Charges, etc. as there are some good deals to be had out there.

[THECORBYLOON]

I'm going only by the info from the Government but from past experience, it's not unknown for that guidance to be incorrect.