Lawyer Destroyer

Challenging a Universal Credit decision in England and Wales There is a structured process for challenging a Universal Credit decision made by the Department for Work and Pensions. The key stages are as follows. Stage 1: Mandatory Reconsideration Before you can appeal to a tribunal, you must first ask the DWP to look at the … Read more

If your Universal Credit payment is wrong, here is a sensible approach to resolving it: Check your statement first: Log into your Universal Credit online journal and look at your latest statement. This will show how your payment has been calculated, including any deductions, sanctions, advances being repaid, or earnings taken into account. Sometimes what … Read more

Council Tax Reduction (sometimes still called Council Tax Support) backdating rules depend on whether the claimant is of working age or pension age, and on the specific scheme operated by the local authority. Key points: 1. Pension age claimants For people who have reached State Pension credit age, the national prescribed scheme (set out in … Read more

This is a question that comes up regularly, and the answer depends on the specific circumstances, the reason for the late claim, and the rules adopted by your local council. Background: Council Tax Reduction (sometimes still referred to as Council Tax Support) replaced the old national Council Tax Benefit scheme from 1 April 2013. Since … Read more

Yes, you can get Council Tax Reduction (sometimes still called Council Tax Support) even if you are working. It is not limited to people who are out of work. How it works: Council Tax Reduction is a local scheme administered by your local council. Since April 2013, each council in England has designed its own … Read more

Yes, you can get Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support) if you are already on Universal Credit. In fact, being on Universal Credit can help your application. Key points: 1. Council Tax Reduction is a separate scheme administered by your local council, not by the DWP. It is not part of Universal Credit … Read more

This is a common question and the answer is generally yes, you can claim certain benefits even if you own your home. Owning your home does not automatically disqualify you from means-tested benefits, though it does affect which benefits you can get and how much. Your home as capital: The property you live in as … Read more

Yes, there are several ways you can get help with mortgage costs if you are on benefits in England and Wales. The main options depend on which benefits you receive and your personal circumstances. Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI): This is the main government scheme. It is available if you receive one of the following … Read more

Universal Credit and service charges: The short answer is yes, but only in limited circumstances and only certain types of service charges. Housing costs element of Universal Credit: Universal Credit can include a "housing costs element" which covers rent and certain service charges for people who rent their home. However, what counts as an eligible … Read more

This is almost certainly the application of what is formally known as the removal of the spare room subsidy, commonly referred to as the bedroom tax. It applies to people who receive Universal Credit and who rent their home from a social landlord such as a council or housing association. How it works: The housing … Read more

Yes, you can challenge the bedroom tax (officially known as the removal of the spare room subsidy or under-occupancy charge) if you believe it has been applied incorrectly to your housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. Legal background: The bedroom tax reduces housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit by … Read more

Extra help with rent shortfalls: There are several options available if your benefits do not fully cover your rent. The right route depends on your circumstances. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs): This is the most common route. Your local council can make a DHP to top up your Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal … Read more

This is a very common problem and there are several practical options available to you, depending on your circumstances. Why the shortfall happens: Universal Credit includes a housing element to help with rent. However, the amount you receive is often less than your actual rent. This can happen for several reasons. 1. The Local Housing … Read more

Universal Credit and help with rent deposits or rent in advance: Universal Credit itself does not directly cover rent deposits or rent in advance as part of your regular monthly payment. The housing element of Universal Credit is designed to help with ongoing rent, not upfront costs like deposits. However, there are several routes available … Read more

This is a really common question and the answer depends on what kind of help you are looking for. There are several angles to consider. Housing Benefit and Universal Credit housing costs: You do not necessarily need to be named on the tenancy agreement to claim help with rent. What matters is whether you have … Read more

Yes, it is possible to have your Universal Credit housing costs paid directly to your landlord. This is known as an Alternative Payment Arrangement, sometimes referred to as a managed payment or direct payment to landlord. The general position: The default position under Universal Credit is that the housing element is paid to the claimant … Read more

Hello there. I am Gemma, a legal assistant here at Lawyer Destroyer. I would be happy to explain how Universal Credit can help with your private rent. The short answer is yes. If you rent privately and are eligible for Universal Credit, your monthly payment can include an amount to help pay your rent. This … Read more

Yes. You can claim Universal Credit even if you have no permanent home. Sofa surfing does not disqualify you. The Department for Work and Pensions treats all forms of homelessness the same way, and you do not need a fixed address or even a permanent bank account to make a claim. Eligibility: Universal Credit does … Read more

Hello there. Yes, absolutely. You can still claim Universal Credit if you are homeless, sleeping rough, or staying in temporary accommodation. The legal and policy position in England and Wales: The rules do not require you to have a permanent address, a tenancy agreement, or even a bank account to be eligible for Universal Credit. … Read more

Hello. I am Gemma, a legal assistant at Lawyer Destroyer. I would be very happy to help you understand how travelling abroad affects your Universal Credit. The general rule: The basic position is that you can leave the UK for up to one month and keep getting your Universal Credit payments. For this to apply, … Read more