Universal Credit / Housing Benefit
Universal Credit (Housing Costs)
For most working age tenants, Universal Credit replaced Housing Benefit and the help with your rent, in most cases, will be paid
directly to you instead of Cloch. If you struggle to manage money or have other difficulties, you could choose to have help with your rent paid to the Association directly.
Universal Credit could help meet the cost of:
the amount of your rent (excluding any payment towards arrears);
any eligible service charges.
You will be asked about the number of bedrooms you have to compare with how many you are thought to need, to see if you are under occupying the property.
To make a claim for Universal Credit you must make an online claim at https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit helps people who are not of working age pay their rent. You could get Housing Benefit if you are on other benefits or if
you’re working but in most cases if you are of working age you must claim Universal Credit.
If you want to make a claim or get advice, you should ask Inverclyde Council for an application form. Please contact us if you would
like any help or advice completing the form. The amount of Housing Benefit you will get depends on the amount of money you have coming into the house and any savings you may have. The number and ages of any people in your house will also be considered. Inverclyde Council will send you a letter telling you the outcome of your claim. You should contact us to find out how much rent you should pay. Even if you do not qualify at first, if your circumstances change in any way, you can contact the Council to make a new claim.
Please note that any delay in applying for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit may mean a loss of benefit and could result in rent arrears.
Both Universal Credit and Housing Benefit can be paid direct to you or to us. Even if the payment is paid direct to us, it is still your
responsibility to make sure it is being paid. Please also ensure that you reply to any letter you receive from the Department of Work and
Pensions (DWP) or the Council. If you don’t, it could lead to your payments being cancelled, leaving you with the full rent to pay.