Universal-Credit-Guide-for-Private-Landlords - Manual / Resource - Page 5
Q. What is their claimant commitment?
Their claimant commitment is the
agreement they make with the Jobcentre to
seek work or increase their working hours.
This is tailored to each individual claimant.
To give you an idea of what this might be, a
person that would have previously received
Jobseekers Allowance with no barriers to
work would be expected to undertake
around 35 hours work seeking activity per
week. However, a claimant that has limited
capability for work would have their claimant
commitment far more focused on health
and wellbeing.
Q. I am concerned my tenants wouldn’t
follow the necessary steps to complete their
UC claim—how can I help avoid this?
We have created an example of a claim for
UC and the steps the tenant must take– you
can use this to help your tenants prepare
and understand their responsibilities with
regard to applying for UC. This is
available on page 6.
Q. How will claimants receive help with
housing costs under UC?
In the majority of cases UC will be a single,
monthly payment which is paid in arrears
directly into the claimants bank account,
which means that claimants will be
responsible for paying their rent, similar to
the way they must manage their wage if they
were employed.
UC payments are made up of different
amounts (called elements) depending on
the claimants individual circumstances.
The housing element of the UC payment
helps tenants with their eligible rent and
service charge costs.
The DWP will, in the majority of cases, pay
eligible housing costs directly to the
claimant as part of the single UC payment.
When claims are for couples living in the
same household, they will receive one
monthly payment between them; this can be
paid into a joint account or a single account
in either persons name.
Any other adults living in the same
household who are claiming UC are paid
separately.
5
Universal Credit/Information for Landlords
April 2018
www.gov.uk/universal-credit
DWP service centre 0800 328 5644