Risk of eviction avoided for man refused UC housing costs
CHAC Case study
Paul’s story
Paul, a single man, had moved from specified accommodation into private rented accommodation, but the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was refusing to pay his housing costs.
Paul’s rent had previously been covered in full by housing benefit. But his new assured shorthold tenancy cost £135 per week and housing benefit would only cover the single room rent of £78 per week. Universal Credit (UC) housing costs would cover his new rent in full as he was over 35 years of age.
DWP agreed to pay Paul his UC living costs but refused to pay housing costs because they said he was still living in specified accommodation. The DWP advised him that housing benefit was responsible for his rent.
How CHAC helped
We challenged DWP and provided confirmation from Canterbury City Council that Paul was not living in specified or temporary accommodation. We also liaised with Paul’s landlord, assuring them that Paul’s rent would eventually be paid in full.
The outcome
DWP accepted that Paul was entitled to UC housing costs and made a backdated payment to pay his rent in full. However, instead of paying £1,755 direct to the landlord, the money was paid direct to Paul. Aware that this was going to happen, we informed the landlord and contacted Paul. We were able to ensure that Paul paid the money to his landlord as soon as he received it.
We then made sure that UC would pay future housing costs direct to Paul’s landlord. We also checked that this would, and did, happen. As a result of our help, Paul was able to clear his rent arrears and the risk of eviction was avoided.