The Government’s new welfare system has been rolling out across the country since last year. Today, claimants in four different parts of the UK will be subject to the new payment method.
Universal Credit Now Enforced in More Areas
Under Universal Credit, benefit recipients will receive one monthly payment instead of several payouts for different benefits. This includes housing benefit.
Additionally, any private tenants in receipt of housing benefit will be paid the allowance, rather than having the payment directly paid to their landlords.
If you are a landlord with tenants on housing benefit, be aware that they will now be responsible for paying their rent and their financial circumstances will be changing.
To avoid them falling into rent arrears, ensure that you communicate with your tenants about their finances and use rent guarantee insurance to make sure you still get paid.
As of today, the following areas will be moved onto Universal Credit:
- FK20 in Falkirk.
- G63 0, G82 5, G83 7, G83 8 and G84 in Glasgow.
- NR13 3, NR29, NR30 and NR31 of Norwich.
- PA20, PA21, PA22, PA23, PA24, PA25, PA26, PA27, PA28, PA29, PA30, PA31, PA32, PA33, PA34, PA35, PA36, PA37, PA38, PA41, PA42, PA43, PA44, PA45, PA46, PA47, PA48, PA49, PA60, PA61, PA62, PA63, PA64, PA65, PA66, PA67, PA68, PA69, PA70, PA71, PA72, PA73, PA74, PA75, PA76, PA77 and PA78 in Paisley.
We have been keeping you updated since the start of the year on where Universal Credit is rolling out to and will continue to offer this information for landlords.
For last week’s areas and the previous parts of the country subject to the change, visit: /new-welfare-system-introduced-for-more-housing-benefit-tenants/