Universal Credit - Changes to rent

If you’re on Universal Credit, and claiming housing costs to pay your rent, you must let the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) know of this change in your rent.

To make this easier for you, the DWP will send you a ‘To Do’ notification to your journal in the first week of April 2024.

You must complete the ‘To Do’ before the end of your Universal Credit assessment period in April 2024 or you will miss out on the money you are due.

If you need help with your journal please speak to your housing officer.

If you don’t tell the DWP about your rent rise, your Universal Credit won’t be increased to cover your new rent and you could miss out on benefits you are due.

You can find more information about Universal Credit on our website at 'Universal Credit - What is it?

If you receive Housing Benefit you don't need to do anything. Your benefit will be automatically updated.

If you pay by standing order you need to speak to your bank about increasing your payment.

Make sure you include your rent reference number so your payment reaches your account without delay.

What you need to do
 

A new 'Confirm your housing costs' message will be in your “To-do List” on 1 April 2024. (If you were previously a Cube customer, this will be on 28 March 2024).

Sign in to your Universal Credit online journal at www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/sign-in and follow these simple steps:

  • Click on your To-Do List
  • Click on the “Confirm your housing costs To-do”.

You will be asked:

  • Has your rent changed? – Select Yes

If you have eligible service charges recorded on your Universal Credit account, you will also be asked:

  • Have your eligible service charges changed? – Select Yes

You will then be asked the following questions:

  • “Did your housing costs change on 1 April 2024” - Select Yes (If you were previously a Cube customer, this will be on 28 March 2024)

You will be shown the amount of rent currently recorded on your account and will be asked the following questions:

  • “Are you still charged every four weeks for your rent?” - Select Yes (If you were previously a Cube customer, your charge will be monthly.)
  • “How much is your new rent?” - Enter your four weekly rent amount (Enter monthly charge if you were previously a Cube customer)

If you currently have Service Charges recorded on your Universal Credit housing costs the amount you currently have recorded will be displayed and you will also be asked:

  • “Are you still charged every four weeks for your service charges?” - Select Yes (If you were previously a Cube customer, your charge will be monthly.)
  • “How much are your new eligible service charges?” - Enter your four weekly eligible service charge amount (Enter monthly charge if you were previously a Cube customer)

Once you have answered these questions you will see a summary of your answers. If you have made any mistakes you can change your answers.

If you are happy with the information you have provided press confirm to complete the To-Do.

We've also created a website step-by-step guide showing you what to do and where to click. We've also created a step-by-step guide for former Cube customers.