Universal Credit(UC) is paid monthly in arrears to you and where the Housing Element is paid direct to the Council that is also paid in arrears, and your assessment period for UC will not be the same as the current rental period - don't forget your rent is due weekly in advance. UC will only pay the 4-weekly rent amount, not the monthly equivalent. The current financial year has 53 Mondays, but UC have stated that they will not be paying the rent which falls due in week 53, claimants will need to pay this out of their personal allowance.

We have written out to households where the rent is paid direct by UC advising them to how much top up payment is required each month. Rather than asking for the full amount on 31.3.25 we have split the balance into affordable monthly instalments.

If you have received one of these letters please do not ignore it as the longer you hold off starting payments the higher the monthly instalment will be.

If you are concerns about how the week 53 rent situation impacts your rent then please call the Rents Team and discuss. Tel 01255 686468. For further information about your UC entitlement then please call 08003285644 help line and contact centre.

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