Universal Credit is leaving families in sudden financial hardship because of unfair assessment‑period rules.

If a child leaves a parent’s household part‑way through the month, UC removes the entire child element — even if the child lived there for most of that period. Parents lose money they were genuinely entitled to, pushing many into crisis overnight.

The same thing happens when someone moves into supported accommodation. UC removes the whole month’s Housing Element, even though the person was still living in — and paying for — their previous home for many days. Housing Benefit only starts from the move‑in date, leaving a gap where families receive no help at all with rent.

This is especially unfair because if someone moved to a normal house with no rent, UC would still pay their Housing Element up to the day they moved out. The only reason people lose the entire month is because they moved into supported accommodation — housing meant to protect vulnerable people, not punish them.

These rules also reward people who delay reporting changes, while those who report honestly and immediately are financially penalised. This isn’t about dishonesty — it’s about a system that punishes honesty and creates avoidable hardship.

We are calling for:

1. UC to pay people for the days they were actually eligible before a change.  
2. Refunds for families who have already lost money under these rules.  
3. A fair system that prevents gaps in housing support when someone moves into supported accommodation mid‑month.

No family should be pushed into debt, arrears, or crisis because of a technicality.  

Please sign to demand a fair, common‑sense change.