Coronavirus (COVID-19): Universal Credit Landlord Engagement Newsletter
Updated 1 April 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-landlord-engagement-newsletters/coronavirus-covid-19-universal-credit-landlord-engagement-newsletter
This Universal Credit newsletter aims to provide information to social and private landlords on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Universal Credit. Please check back regularly for updates
1. DWP Specific Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Claiming Benefits
We have published DWP specific information on coronavirus and claiming benefits on our Understanding Universal Credit website. This page will be updated if there are any changes, so please do check back regularly.
More information:
Understanding Universal Credit
1.1 Changes to Jobcentre Appointments
People receiving benefits do not have to attend jobcentre appointments for three months, starting from Thursday 19 March 2020.
People will continue to receive their benefits as normal, but all requirements to attend the jobcentre in person are suspended.
People can still make applications for benefits online if they are eligible.
More information:
Understanding Universal Credit
2. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Rent (England, Scotland and Wales)
2.1 Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Landlords in England
An announcement has been made by The Ministry of Housing and Communities of plans for emergency legislation to suspend evictions from social or private rented accommodation.
More information about the announcement can be found at:
Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters
2.2 Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Landlords in Scotland
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning issued a communication to all landlords and letting agents in Scotland on 18 March 2020.
More information about the announcement can be found at:
Coronavirus: letter from Housing Minister to landlords and letting agents
2.3 Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Landlords in Wales
Emergency legislation is being developed to suspend evictions from social or private rented accommodation. Ministers of the UK Government and Devolved Administrations are continuing to consider what other support needs to be provided to renters.
More information about the announcement can be found at:
Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters
3. Universal Credit information for Landlords
Information and guidance for landlords relating to Universal Credit Landlord can be found on GOV.UK. Information is also available on the Understanding Universal Credit website.
More Information:
Universal Credit: information for landlords
Understanding Universal Credit and landlords page
3.1 Applying for a Managed Payment to Landlord
Information and guidance on how to apply for a Managed Payment to Landlord can be found on GOV.UK
4. Landlord Portal Users
If you are a Social Landlord and use the Landlord Portal, we will publish any changes to this process on the Landlord Portal Pages on the Understanding Universal Credit Website. Please check regularly for any updates.
More Information:
Universal Credit and landlords
5. Third Party Payments Schedules Handbook
The aim of this handbook is to provide an overview of how the Third Party Deductions Scheme works for organisations and individuals (referred to as creditors or suppliers) who receive third party payments.
Please note: Due to the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), DWP’s resources are severely stretched and Payment Services have had to prioritise key activities to ensure payments are maintained to our claimants and their landlords.
As a result we are currently unable to action any requests to change the method of delivery of payment schedules to an electronic format until further notice.
Universal Credit: Third party payments creditor and supplier handbook
6. General Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Generic information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on GOV.UK. Please check the website regularly for any updates.
More information:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do
7. Setting up email alerts
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