Take control of your Universal Credit – report your rent increase!

If you receive Universal Credit (UC), stay in charge of your finances by updating your rent information with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on or after 03 April, not before.

By acting on time and reporting your rent increase, you’ll make sure you receive the full benefits that you’re entitled to.

“Where can I find my rent charge?”

• In February, you received your rent increase letter which you will need to report your rent increase.
• If you no longer have this, you can log into ‘My Trivallis’ to check your new rent details which change on the 3rd of April.

See our step-by-step guide on how to find the right information on the ‘My Trivallis’ portal:

1. Login to the ‘My Trivallis’ portal and select ‘My rent statements’

2. Select ‘Secure (Converted) Occupation Contract’

3. Find the key property information. You will need to report the ‘Actual Rent Charge (The rent charge for your property)’ figure.
If you have service charges you will need to report the ‘Calculated Service Charge Eligible for HB/ UC (The service charges that HB/UC will pay for) figure.

Be ready to update your Universal Credit claim

To make it easier for you, the DWP will send a ‘To-Do’ notification to you in the first week of April, likely the 6^th of April onwards, prioritising claimants with an assessment period ending soonest first.

You will need to report the rent increase before the end of your UC assessment period to secure your full benefits.

“When is my assessment period?”

Universal Credit works in monthly cycles called assessment periods; you can find your assessment period dates in your UC online account. The end of your assessment period is 7 days before your payment date.

For example: Mr Smith is paid UC on the 11^th of each month, this means his assessment period ends on the 4^th of every month.

If Mr Smith waits until after the 4^th of April to report his rent increase, then he will have done this outside of his assessment period and won’t be paid the increased amount for April’s rent charge on the 11^th of April. Mr Smith will be responsible for paying this shortfall because unfortunately UC will not backdate this payment.

This means some claimants may need to report the change before UC sends out the usual ‘To-do‑’ task.

“What happens if I’m late reporting my rent change?”

If you report the rent increase after your Assessment Period ends, UC will not update your payment for that month and as mentioned you will need to pay the shortfall.
This means your April UC payment will not cover the higher rent, and you will have a rent shortfall. Please make sure you report your rent increase on or after the 3^rd of April and no later than 7 days before your UC payment date to ensure you don’t miss out.

Take control of your finances and make sure your UC is paid correctly.

Simple steps to update your UC claim:

1. Log into your UC account: Sign in to your Universal Credit account – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
2. Click on the ‘To-Do’ titled ‘Confirm your housing costs’
3. Follow the instructions using your new rent amount (effective from 03 April)

See our step-by-step process of how to make the changes:

1. Confirm your housing costs are changing from the 03 April (not the 01 April or 06 April).

2. Confirm your new weekly rent

3. Confirm changes to service charges

If you manage your UC account over the phone, call DWP at 0800 328 5644 to update your rent.

What if you receive Housing Benefit?

For those of you who don’t receive UC but receive Housing Benefit you don’t need to do anything, the council will update your Housing Benefit claim automatically with your new rent charges.

What if you pay rent by Direct Debit?

If you pay your rent by Direct Debit, your payments will already have been amended, and you should have received confirmation of this from AllPay.

Extra support when you need it

If you need help, our Money Advice Team are here for you.
Call: 01443 494560
Email: MAT@Trivallis.co.uk

Stay in control. Take action. Secure your benefits.