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Original poster

Urgent advice needed re universal credit please??

146 replies

Inbedbynine · 29/05/2019 14:43

So Iv handed my notice in and next Wednesday is my last day. I’m on WTC etc and get dla and carers allowance due to having a disabled son hence why Iv had to stop work.

Should I apply today (last full pay slip was yesterday) or should I wait until I wait until 29th June when Iv had. My last, albeit small pay slip?

OP posts:
Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 12:48

I’m due a housing benefit payment and when I rang them they said do it next Thursday but don’t call them to tell them Iv claimed UC until Friday otherwise they wouldn’t pay the payment, as they would suspend my account. Iv that payment goes through it will help massively for the beginning of July dd’s. So it’s probably better I wait as I need that payment?

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AnotherEmma · 30/05/2019 12:59

When is your HB payment due, exactly?
If that's what they said you should follow their advice.
You will get HB for 2 weeks after the start of your UC claim, so they shouldn't suspend your account, but if that's what they said they will do I suggest you follow their advice.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 13:07

I believe it’s the 11th June. If I rang Thursday they can stop the payment but if I rang Friday it would be too late for them to do it. The guy I spoke to have spoken to a lot of times as quite a small office at the council. He told me ‘unofficially’ to call Friday so he’s looking out for me I believe. They will suspend my payments, they always do it when there’s been a change, say moving house for example even when the change hasn’t affected the amount they pay. If I get that payment I will be ok.... hence wanting to listen to him?

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Benefits
8dayweek · 30/05/2019 20:18

If they overpay Housing Benefit (aside from the 2 week run on you will get from the date you claim UC) then it will be clawed back from your UC award either in the first Assessment Period or in a later one. His advice, though well meaning, isn't particularly helpful.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 20:27

I did question that but he thinks it should be ok and they won’t claw anything back from HB?

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Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 20:41

If it is clawed back from my first payment that will be ok as at least I can pay my dd’s 1st July with it. How much are they likely to claw back? Isn’t HB paid in arrears?

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8dayweek · 30/05/2019 21:14

I really wouldn't be too concerned about it to be honest. The amount of the potential overpayment depends on your daily rate of Housing Benefit.

As you'll get the 2 week run on of HB you will get that whenever you apply, if that makes sense. Delaying the UC claim is just that - time you won't be getting paid for.

If there is a HB overpayment (as in they pay more than the 2wk run on) if it gets picked up in the first Assessment Period or further down the line is largely down to how quick Housing Benefit send back the notification to UC (variable as not particularly priority - it doesn't block payment and benefit law ensures it can be clawed back whenever).

I really wouldn't be fretting over that. I think he's tried to be helpful, but I don't think it's great advice (though not massively bad advice either).

8dayweek · 30/05/2019 21:17

And if that did stop a payment that's en route, surely all you do is call and say "I applied for UC on X date, you should have a notification from UC, can you confirm where my 2 week run on of HB will take me up to" and they'll re-release the payment?

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 21:26

My experience of my HB is not that simple. They are usually a couple of weeks of back log. I don’t want to miss that payment and wait for it to be reinstated as that could take ages.

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8dayweek · 30/05/2019 21:26

Also, agree with @AnotherEmma to just apply. Just put down No to are you working and then input your last day of work in "have you ended a job in the last 9 months" box. It doesn't ask for Employer details etc. but will ask if you expect to receive any final wages in the next month and an estimate of the amount (the actual figure used is taken from HMRC).

Or, put Yes to working then go in to your account after your official end date and click "work and earnings" and report the job has ended.

You're overthinking things. Plus, your a carer so have no work requirements with or without the work.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 21:29

I can’t say no because I am working. It doesn’t let you put a future date in as I tried. I can say yes and put wages etc in yes. emma also said in her last post it would be wise to listen to HB if that’s what they have said, to wait until next week?

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8dayweek · 30/05/2019 21:33

@Inbedbynine I was telling a colleague today that when I first started with DWP almost 10 years ago our local Council was 6 months behind on processing HB claims. But yet the 5 week wait with UC is scandalous. Hmm

I don't know what else to suggest. If they're that slow they're unlikely to get in gear and recall a payment I'd like to think.

Are you Council / Housing Ass? Or Private? If it's Social then their "inaction" is only hurting them really.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 21:37

No private renting. They are very quick to suspend my account. I just have to fart and they send a letter to say payments are suspended whilst they ‘look into it’. So they will stop payments instantly, but take weeks to confirm that say, a move to an indentical house up the road is fine and carry on paying!

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8dayweek · 30/05/2019 21:44

I'm sure it asks are you currently working, then asks if you're employed / self employed / both, then asks usual hours and wage, then asks if you're getting any stat payments... hmmm, I go blank then.

Regardless, the work won't make a difference - it's an in and out of work benefit. So go with yes. Then update when your official end date has passed.

In my personal experience HB aren't always that knowledgable. Lots of people are told to "wait" for various reasons by them ("oh you've just had a baby / moved house / moved in with a partner you'll have to switch to UC, wait until after Xmas" was a particularly annoying time) and then they end up with gaps as their old benefit ends from the change of circumstances and UC then only starts from when they physically made the claim.

Up to you whether to bite the bullet now or wait.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 21:51

My problem is stopping HB and tax credit payments mean I’m not sure if I’ll have money for my dd’s for July. I have a tax credit payment due in on the 6th June so next Thursday. If those payments go in I will be ok. If they don’t I won’t be. Applying now would stop both those payments

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8dayweek · 30/05/2019 21:55

Ah OK, so they're suggesting you apply next Thursday after payment has been released? And then call them on the Friday so they can stop / pause further payments and apply the 2wk run on.

(Pedantic, but why do they need you to call if they stop immediately?! No need to answer, just thinking out loud).

So, I guess it's sit tight until Thursday.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 22:04

Yes sorry if that’s no clear. If I apply Thursday and call HB Friday the pending payment will come to me as it will be too late for them to suspend it. I don’t have to call them to tell them I’m applying no, but I don’t want to owe anyone any money anywhere so would rather make the calls myself so I know that they are aware and I don’t have to pay them money back!

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AnotherEmma · 30/05/2019 22:30

Well I agree with 8dayweek that you are massively overthinking it, the repetitive threads and questions are proof of that! I don't mean to be harsh though as I know you're anxious about it. It's just that you've already been given advice and you don't seem satisfied but I don't think you will be satisfied until it's all sorted, which will only happen if you bite the bullet and apply.

IMO a temporary suspension of your Housing Benefit claim is a small price to pay for claiming Universal Credit NOW and getting the money you're entitled to as soon as possible. I say this because I know you could manage with a delay in your HB payment for the following reasons:

  • You have about £1k / one month's rent (IIRC) in savings which you have put aside
  • You get DLA for your son and Carers Allowance for yourself, and these payments will not be affected at all, you will get them as usual
  • You will get the 2 week Housing Benefit run-on
  • You can and should request an advance payment when you apply for Universal Credit, and I have advised you to do this, but you are reluctant to do it because of anxiety about getting into debt (the fact is that you're anxious anyway and the sooner you claim UC the more money you will have to prevent you getting into debt)

However, as we've already said, it's your choice. If for peace of mind you would prefer to wait until you have receiving your upcoming payments of HB and tax credits before starting your UC claim, and missing out on the extra money you will get under UC during that time, it's up to you. For your peace of mind it might be worth waiting and losing out on that money.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 22:46

Right I’m getting out of bed to go crunch some figures and if it works apply tonight so it’s done.

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Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 22:50

@anotherEmma is there a chance if I apply now that HB would pay me that payment when they see Iv applied for uc or not? Is that the date they would pay me the 2 weeks?

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Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 22:52

I messed up the other day when I started the application and now I can’t change it. I can’t even see what details are saved under work and earnings. If I complete it will it allow me to go in and change it?

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Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 22:55

Aah it’s ok I see how to do that.

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Original poster
Inbedbynine · 30/05/2019 23:20

I’ve probably cocked it up now. Doing the verification bit through post office and my passport is in married name. Had to take my photo and of course with no make up, the lighting and the fact my picture is 9 years ago it probably looks nothing like me! It says verifying my documents would take over 2 hours....

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kaytee87 · 31/05/2019 06:47

Why are you verifying through post office? You will have to attend job centre anyway, just phone them to make your appointment and say you wish to verify your ID at the same time.

Original poster
Inbedbynine · 31/05/2019 06:53

Because it told me to do it. It said I could use one of 5 websites, one Barclaycard, one Experian, can’t remember the others and post office.

It’s 95% complete, waiting on ‘selfie identification’. But took the picture at 11pm, looking like shit and I don’t look that much like my passport picture esp as I have different hair colour!

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