The DWP has re-drafted universal credit regulations in response to concerns about service charges.
It was reported in Inside Housing that rules relating to service charges were rewritten ahead of the publication of universal credit regulations this week, over fears that tenants and landlords would be unable to claim benefit for up to 13 charges. Draft regulations for the new universal credit, which replaces a host of income-related benefits from next October, were published in the summer listing just three categories of eligible charges. The new draft includes four categories of payments, including payments for the up-keep of communal areas, to maintain a good standard of accommodation, for communal services and for ‘accommodation-specific charges’. The DWP will publish guidance in the next few weeks setting out exactly what charges will be eligible.
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