Housing benefits and rent during the coronavirus outbreak

If your income is affected by coronavirus you may be able to claim benefits to support you through this period. For information on the help and support that might be available to you, visit the Policy in Practice website

Support to you

We understand that many residents may be facing financial challenges at this time. Our teams are working as hard as they can to finalise the administration around the workstreams issued by the government to support residents and businesses.

Some of the support available to residents:

•  Local Council Tax Support - help with your Council Tax payments 

•  Exceptional Hardship Fund - people who are experiencing exceptional financial hardship can apply for help from the Exceptional Hardship Fund  

•  Universal Credit - this may help with your living costs

•  Employment Support Allowance - this is for people who cannot work due to sickness or self-isolation

•  Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) - Extra help you might be able to get for housing costs, including rent payments and moving costs

Recovery of overpayment of benefits

The Department of Work and Pensions have announced the suspension of overpayment recovery for a period of 3 months on all Universal Credit and other DWP legacy benefits. Uttlesford District Council has also implemented a temporary freeze on the recovery of overpaid Housing Benefit (HB).

No deductions will therefore be taken from ongoing HB entitlements for the period 16 March to 14 June 2020. You do not need to contact us to request this freeze - the change has already been applied to our payments system automatically.

If you need further advice or support in paying your Council Tax you can contact us via revenues@uttlesford.gov.uk or 01799 510510.
 

Council housing

Uttlesford District Council tenants

Uttlesford District Council tenants will not face eviction or proceedings as a result of housing rent arrears whilst the coronavirus situation continues. However, tenants are expected to make every effort to pay the rent due and should contact the Rents team if they are having problems meeting their rent liability.

If you have any concerns you should contact us.
 

Council housing applications

Following the government's advice that people can move house, the council restarted advertising council and housing association properties that are available for allocating to applicants on the council's housing register from Friday 22 May.

The HomeOption Freesheet  is being published on the HomeOption website  every Friday thereafter. Shortlists close every Wednesday at 1pm.
 

Private tenants

Our Housing Options Officers are here to help and are experienced in assisting people in various situations including:

• People who have lost their accommodation
• People who are worried about losing their home
• People who need to move

The Shelter coronavirus housing advice page also has a wide range of useful information.
 

Homelessness

We are providing homelessness services as normal. For further information see our Housing Options and homelessness frequently asked questions (FAQs) page.