Help with rent
The housing costs element of Universal Credit replaces Housing Benefit for tenants. If you are in receipt of Universal Credit you will no longer be able to claim Housing Benefit from Coventry City Council, this will be included in your Universal Credit award.
Your housing costs element is usually paid direct to you, rather than being paid to your landlord.
It is important to make rent your top priority. You will need to set up a method to pay the rent. If you are claiming Universal Credit make sure to tell your landlord so they can provide proof of your rent. Your landlord may also be able to offer other advice on making your rent payments.
If your circumstances mean that you can’t manage your rent payments yourself, or you are struggling to manage your rent payments or fall behind with your rent then you can ask to have the housing costs element of your Universal Credit paid directly to your landlord. You can also have an amount deducted from your Universal Credit to pay your arrears if you can’t make an arrangement with your landlord.
Get help with debt and rent arrears if you're on Universal Credit.
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, which includes Housing Costs for rent payments, and you are struggling to pay all of your rent you may be eligible for extra help through a Discretionary Housing Payment
Universal Credit does not include help towards your Council Tax. You can continue to claim Council Tax Support from Coventry City Council.