Deep dive into the UC Housing Costs Element

Universal Credit is now the key way that working age claimants claim help with thei rent.

Join us to explore the UC Housing Costs Element - taking a deep dive into some problem areas.

This Conference will provide the practical knowledge needed to ensure UC claimants are receiving the correct amount of Housing Costs Element in their UC award, plus some tips on other help that is available.

Hear from experienced speakers, attend three informative workshops, build a toolkit of resources and share ideas and experiences.

You'll also have the opportunity to pose any questions to our panel of experts..

An essential event for any front line worker supporting tenants receiving Universal Credit.

Feedback from previous Conferences

"I enjoyed the interaction of the event. It found it a good way to keep engaged, the slides and images were brilliant!"

"Very good online conference. Was easy to access and workshops were very good and informative.
Very well done on providing an excellent conference."

"Lots of detailed information that I hadn't come across elsewhere."

Plan of the Day

9.30am Welcome

The Conference will start at 9.30am with a welcome from the Chair, Peter Barker (aka hbanorak)

9.35am Opening speech

To be confirmed.

10.00am Workshop 1

Choose between:

1A: Occupation, Liability and the Housing Costs Element

To qualify for the UC Housing Cost Element (HCE) a claimant must meet the payment condition, liability condition and occupation condition. There can be problems when the claimant’s situation is less straightforward.

This workshop will focus on:

When a Housing Cost Element can cover two homes
The rules around fleeing violence
Housing Cost Element and decants
Moving in and moving out
Untidy tenancies and how to resolve payment problems

1B: Mixed Aged Couples: UC or HB?

If a ‘protected’ Mixed Age Couple (MAC) claim UC unnecessarily, it can mean a drop in income of over £800 per month.
This workshop will clarify the MAC rules and provide some useful hints and tips for what to do if something goes wrong.

It will explore:

Which Mixed Age Couples are ‘protected’?
Which benefits can a ‘protected’ Mixed Age Couple claim?
Which Mixed Age Couples need to claim UC?
Can anything be done if a ‘protected’ Mixed Age Couple claims UC in error?
Protecting a ‘protected’ Mixed Age Couple's status

11.10am Break

11.40am Workshop 2:

Choose from:

2A: Maximising the HCE: Minimising Non-dependant Deductions

There are over 10 situations where no non-dependant deduction should be made. However, unless a claimant notifies the DWP correctly of their non-deps/their own situation this exclusion cannot be applied.

This workshop will focus on maximising the HCE by:

- Understanding who is a non-dependant

- Considering when no deduction should be taken

- Correcting mistakes (and the chance of back payments)

- Providing hints and tips for minimising deductions

2B: Temporary Absences - problem areas

There are different rules for temporary absence depending on the reason for the absence. However, this can lead to mistakes being made.

This workshop will consider problem areas including:

- Prisoners – when can they retain their UC HCE?

- What happens to any partner’s UC?

- Absence abroad – case law that can help

- Absences of non deps and children

- Impact on the amount of UC after the absence

12.50pm Lunch

1.30pm Guest speaker/s

Managing UC Overpayments - the landlord's perspective

Ian Cory, Welfare Reform Manager, Aster Group

2.30pm Break

2.45pm Workshop 3

Choose from:

3A: Extra Help for those on UC

Some claimants struggle making their rental contribution . This workshop will focus on the lesser-known benefits/payments a claimant might qualify for that will increase their income and not reduce the amount of UC they receive such as:

(Discretionary) Housing Payments / the Crisis and Resilience Fund
‘Passports’ with no income rules.
Free School Meals (and the new rules from September)
Bereavement Support Payment

3B: Understanding deductions and impact on APA Managed Payments

Landlords can apply for Third Party Deductions for rent arrears and APA Managed Payments for ongoing rent. But applications are not always granted, and APAs don't always cover the full rent.

This workshop will consider:

What deductions can be made from a claimant’s UC
The priority order – where do Third party Deductions for rent arrears fit in?
How much can be deducted for debts and/or and sanctions
How an APA Managed Payment be affected

4.00pm Q and A Panel

4.30pm Close