Rent Direct Payment (APAs)

Rent Direct means the money you get through Universal Credit to help pay your rent is paid straight to Jigsaw.

This is called a managed payment to landlord by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is a type of Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).

Instead of receiving this money and then paying your rent to us yourself, it goes directly to you rent account.

Having your rent paid directly can make managing your money easier and give you one less payment to think about each month. It can help you:

• stay on top of your rent
• make budgeting easier
• reduce the risk of rent arrears
• know that the money you get towards your rent is being paid straight to Jigsaw.

The amount you get through Universal Credit towards your rent may not cover your full rent amount. If there’s a difference, you’ll still need to pay this to us.

Rent Direct isn’t automatically available to everyone who receives Universal Credit. The DWP will look at your circumstances and decide whether it’s right for you.

You may be able to get Rent Direct if you find it difficult to manage your Universal Credit payment or keep on top of your rent. For example, this could be because you:

• have rent arrears or have struggled to pay your rent before
• have severe or multiple debts
• have a mental health condition
• have a learning difficulty
• have problems with drugs, alcohol or gambling
• have experienced homelessness
• are experiencing domestic abuse
• have other circumstances that make managing your Universal Credit payment difficult.

You don’t need to be behind with your rent to ask for Rent Direct, the above are just some examples. The DWP looks at each request individually and there are other circumstances they may consider.

You can ask the DWP to consider paying the money you get towards your rent directly to Jigsaw.

You can ask:

• through your Universal Credit online account
• by speaking to your work coach or case manager
• by calling Universal Credit.

If you’re using your online account, go to your Journal and send a message saying you’d like the money you get towards your rent to be paid directly to Jigsaw. Tell them why you think Rent Direct would help you. Jigsaw can also ask the DWP to consider a direct payment in some circumstances.

The DWP makes the final decision about whether Rent Direct can be put in place.

If it’s approved, the money you get through Universal Credit towards your rent will be paid directly to Jigsaw.

You can find more information about managed payments to landlords and Alternative Payment Arrangements on www.gov.uk →