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Universal Credit Forced Migration - Service Charge on Rent Query

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1 day 16 hours ago #306811 by EH
Hello there!

My situation is that I am in the process of migrating to Universal Credit as part of the forced migration from ESA to UC. I've submitted the forms and done the biometric checks and have been given my first payment date. However, yesterday there was a query on my online journal about the rent amounts not matching what my landlord had told them, with the option to agree with my landlord or query it with my landlord, so I opted to query it.

The issue is that in the 20 years I've lived here I have had a stairlift which came with a service charge on top of my rent. Housing benefit have always paid for this service charge as well as my rent. The stairlift was in the house when I moved in and was the reason I was allocated this property by the local social landlord, as I am disabled and was struggling to do stairs and have 2 children so needed a house rather than a bungalow.

After speaking with my landlord today, they have stated that universal credit will not pay for the service charges on adaptive equipment because they are for personal use and not part of the house itself, even though housing benefit always has.

I feel like I'm in a no win situation. My children have left home so I am paying for 2 rooms of bedroom tax, but I opted to stay in this house and not downsize because, firstly it has other adaptive equipment such as an outside disability ramp that took me years of fighting with the OTs to get and I am very soon having an adaptive bathroom fitted. Secondly is, due to anxiety & undiagnosed autism (waiting for diagnosis), the reason why I have coped with living on my own since my youngest son left is because after 20 years of living here, everything is familiar to me and routine. The thought of moving somewhere else, in a different area and different neighbours and different routes to things that I need, fills me with so much fear. I know it's not something I could cope with.

Also, wouldn't downsizing and moving to somewhere new class as a change in circumstances and therefore void my Transitional Protection? Then there is the cost of moving and buying new carpets etc to consider and that as a disabled wheelchair user, I would not be able to pack things myself but would become severely distress at people touching my belongings. Moving feels like my worst nightmare basically and according to my calculations I would be worse off financially too. Plus, I like my house, I don't want to leave :'(

So my question is, as I am getting Transitional Protection, will that cover the cost of the service charge?

If not, is there or has there been times that Universal Credit has ever paid for adaptive equipment?

Would contacting my MP be of any use or is it a 'these are the rules, deal with it kind of thing'?

I was in a call queue with citizens advice for an hour but then got cut off. I'm really too tired to try again today.

Also, I did click the option to agree with my landlord in the end on my UC online journal because it stated that I wouldn't get any rent allowance until I did.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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1 day 14 hours ago #306836 by BIS
Hi EH

I'm sorry, but your question is outside the remit of this forum and not something that we have knowledge of. I know you had trouble getting through to CAB - but they have specialist welfare advisors who may be able to help or you need to ring the Universal Credit helpline and see if they can help.

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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