SCHEDULE 5Deductions from benefit and direct payment to third parties

Limitations applicable to deductions made under this Schedule3

1

The Department may not deduct an amount from a claimant's award of universal credit under this Schedule and pay that amount to a third party if, in relation to any assessment period, that would—

a

reduce the amount payable to the claimant to less than one penny; or

b

result in more than three deductions being made, in relation to that assessment period, under one or more of the provisions mentioned in sub-paragraph (2).

2

The provisions are—

a

paragraph 6 (housing costs);

b

paragraph 7 (rent and service charges included in rent);

c

paragraph 8 (fuel costs);

d

paragraph 9 (rates);

e

paragraph 10 (water charges);

f

paragraph 11 (payments in place of payments of child support maintenance);

g

paragraph 12 (integration loans).

3

The aggregate amount deducted from a claimant's award of universal credit in relation to any assessment period and paid to a third party under paragraphs 8 and 10 must not, without the claimant's consent, exceed the sum equal to 25 per cent. of the aggregate of the standard allowance and any child element.