Universal credit is a single monthly payment for people in or out of work, which merges together six working age benefits into a single monthly payment. This is paid directly into your bank account in arrears, with a minimum six week wait for the first payment.

The benefits included in Universal Credit are:

  • Job Seekers Allowance
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit

The benefit cap amount varies depending on your personal circumstances. If you’re having problems paying your rent from your Universal Credit payment, you can ask for the rent to be paid directly to Squared as your landlord. This is known as an alternative payment arrangement.

Housing benefit

Housing Benefit usually makes payments every four weeks (in arrears). However there are some cases where Housing Benefit may make payments fortnightly.

If your Housing Benefit has stopped, please contact your local authority to find out why and what you need to do to restore your Housing Benefit.

Then, please contact housing services to advise us of this suspension or cancellation of Housing Benefit, as it can result in your rent account falling into arrears. If your income changes in any way, please contact us around how this affects your housing benefit. 

Our Homes with Support team can support you and advise on any actions that need to be taken regarding your Housing Benefit and your rent account.