Anyone knowledgeable on Universal Credit available to help please?

[catchingzzzeds]

My friend is having a nightmare.
Her assessment period is 29th-30th. She is paid her monthly salary on the last working day of each month so she receives this anything from the 28th to the 31st. This means she could be paid on the 31st one month and then the 28th the next month meaning she recieves two lots of wages in UC’s assessment period. When this happens she doesn’t receive any UC for these months.
Is there anything she can do about this? So far UC are saying there’s nothing they can do about this. My friend has another appointment with them later today.

Yes I don't know how DWP would actually action it in practice. I hope that following the high court decision they are now frantically looking at how they can amend their systems so they account for income correctly and legally. Suspect this is quite a significant change systems wise. I also suspect this will not be quick (I use the word "frantically" in jest as nothing happens at DWP very quickly!).

I also suspect that in the meantime they may use a workaround such as allowing changes of AP dates which is probably easier to fudge on an individual basis system-wise than changing the basis on which income is calculated. Not that I know anything about IT.

I just tried to change my tax credits claim from joint to single. Got told to do that it would have to be a new claim, and it now has to be UC. Is your assessment period always the day you applied?

@MyDcAreMarvel It's not unreasonable to expect to be able to rely on a government representative's advice. Incorrect advice from a govt representative is valid grounds for complaint (and appeal).

Yes, those of us with more experience of UC administration know better, but people should be able to rely on the JCP to be honest. Sadly I've heard of so many similar reports, people being encouraged to transfer to UC when they're not obliged to.

There is a group on Facebook called universal credit survival. There are some really really knowledgable people on there and you can ask an admin to post anonymously for you.

@mydcaremarvel I trusted what they told me, I was obviously naive and stupid

@throwthosecurtainswide It's the date the claim is processed I believe, but no one told me that. Had I known it would affect my payments I would have considered this

@mangolover I'll join, thank you

@theartoftired you’re not naive or stupid, you should be able to trust the professional employed to advise.