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Original poster

Moving to universal credit

34 replies

chickhonhoneybabe · 26/09/2018 15:55

I can’t find the answer online and no one can seem to give me a firm answer...

I’ve just had to apply for universal credit, and have found that I won’t get a payment from them for 5 weeks.

I already get housing benefit and child tax credit, so I’m assuming that I get a final payment for these up to the day before my payments swap over, is this correct?

OP posts:
KlutzyDraconequus · 26/09/2018 18:36

Oh and OP... If you do pay child care, please be aware they pay it a month in arrears.

You have to pay for the child are for October for example and then claim it back from them in November.. by which time you've had to pay November's too..

They want people too work.. but make.it almost impossible.

Babyroobs · 26/09/2018 18:50

If you already are on Housing benefit then you get a two week run on now and then you can apply for an advance.

Becca19962014 · 26/09/2018 18:55

The frequently miss elements off. I know two people who have recently been moved over on another forum, both very bright and intelligent people who have had massive issues. Both threads are now on their next version and the limit there is 2500 posts per thread. Both have been told they need to try harder to find work as benefit is short term only.

Both are severely physically disabled, one is terminally ill.

One (forced to claim after ESA was stopped and then won appeal and put in the support group equivilent but as they had no other income were forced to apply for universal credit and are now trapped on it as despite winning you cannot go back to ESA) and was told they must attend another benefit medical, they're still fighting to get the jobcentre to understand that the support group equilivment means they do not need to look for work - they've been sanctioned for not going on courses and refusing to look for work or attend jobcentre every week.

That's over eighteen months and they're still struggling to get it sorted out. Plus medicals and the changes to the criteria for UC.

The second person moved to a UC area and was forced to apply and found the council calculation for council tax benefit in that country includes all elements of universal credit so housing element as well so they're considered to be earning too much to claim so not only lost money in the transfer but now must pay council tax.

Both have had months with elements "forgotten" and paid the next month. The loan must be repaid within a time limit set by them based on what you claim so yes it could potenially be twelve months but it can also be much less as you're expected to pay from the lump sum, none is protected.

Another thing that was unknown is if you were on a legacy benefit of incapacity benefit which paid more than ESA it was protected on ESA - under universal credit that protection ends, both were hit by this as well as it wasn't something that people were told.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Becca19962014 · 26/09/2018 18:57

Sorry council in that county not country!!

Becca19962014 · 26/09/2018 18:58

And if the forgotten element pushes you over the allowed limit then you lose money.

Honestly the hardship it causes is horrendous.

I know some find it ok but they seem to be the very straight forward claims.

TheTrapDoor · 26/09/2018 19:16

Staff are actively encouraged to sanction claimants. DH works in housing, UC staff are always misplacing sick notes and generally fucking up claims.

Gail131 · 26/09/2018 19:45

Hi, advice needed plz. I receive uni cred as im on matt leave. Im a single mum and will not return to work. I have to give my notice in at work next month and just wondered if anybody has experianced this same situation and how they got on. I also need to move house. I have found a house but the rent is more. Do i advise them before i move or move then tell them? Will my uni cred stop till its all sorted or just transfer over 🤔 any advice would be helpful im desperate

Babyroobs · 26/09/2018 19:58

You wont be sanctioned if you give up your job as you have a child under the age of 3 and therefore no work commitments. In order to change your housing/ rent element you need to have moved in to your new place and have the tenancy agreement which they will need to see. if its a private rent they will only pay what your LA rate is for the number of bedrooms they deem you to need. Any shortfall you will need to find yourself.

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