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Original poster

Universal Credit – Housing Costs, how do I prove my DC is under 16?

33 replies

UCHousingGoneWrong · 10/05/2023 07:39

I work and get UC alongside as I’m a single parent. 1 DC who I also claim DLA for.

Since splitting with my ExH I’ve always had my rent at least partially covered by UC. New tenancy without ExHs name on, never claimed UC when with ExH anyway and his name has never been on the tenancy of the "new" place (in inverted commas as we've lived here over 5 years)

Until this April that was.

Now they’re claiming DC needs to work and pay half the rent or I have to prove their under 16.

But they’re a disabled 9-year-old.

I’ve shown their Birth Certificate and uploaed photos to my journal, shown the DLA letter which was awarded 2 years ago until their 10th birthday (2024), and also shown my tenancy agreement, Council Tax bill and several utility bills all solely in my name. DCs Headteacher has also rang them to confirm DC is under 16.

They’re still saying I have to either prove DC is under 16 or only pay half rent.

I can manage financially just about due to working but it’s taking me away from caring for DC when they need it – for context I wfh all apart from 2 days a month and DC doesn’t do a full school day due to their condition so I usually work 9.30am-2pm and then catch up once DC is in bed at night, but now I’m having to say no to picking DC up to ensure I get extra hours in and that’s affecting DC.

Neither I or DC have a passport, and I can’t really afford to get them either.

Is there any other way I can prove DC is under 16?

OP posts:
cocksstrideintheevening · 10/05/2023 07:41

I have no idea but that is ridiculous. What have they said you need to do to prove it?

Plantpot75 · 10/05/2023 07:44

How ridiculous of them. Have you tried going into a job centre and showing them your documents. They should have people there who are universal credit people if that makes sense and they could upload straight to your journal?

Danikm151 · 10/05/2023 07:45

Ask for this to be escalated. You’ve provided proof
I had this for council tax- my son was 8 months old- just sent birth certificate and it was sorted. Have you sent the short one or the full birth certificate?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
ElEmEnOhPee · 10/05/2023 07:45

This is bonkers and I'm sure incorrect (on their part). I get full rent paid and I have definitely not needed to prove my sons age further than a birth certificate - I wouldn't have been able to if asked!

Have you spoken to someone at Universal Credit or has this all been through the journal? Perhaps suggest you bring your child into the local job centre so they can verify child is under 16? Although I've never needed to do this and I don't know anyone else who has.

Lostinplaces · 10/05/2023 07:46

Ask them why they’re not accepting the proof you’ve already provided.

Original poster
UCHousingGoneWrong · 10/05/2023 07:47

Have been into the job centre with my documents and even they said it was ridiculous that I was having to prove it.

I just keep getting messages on my journal to say I have to prove DC is still under 16 and not liable for the rent or just pay the full amount with no help from UC

OP posts:
Jk987 · 10/05/2023 07:47

It sounds like a cock up on their behalf. There's no more evidence you can give. It seems like they haven't seen what you've already given them. You might have to try and ring them.

ElEmEnOhPee · 10/05/2023 08:22

I would either take the route of CAB or contacting your local MP to see if they can help.

happyinherts · 10/05/2023 08:38

I'd be asking why a Birth Certificate isn't enough. What more can you give?

Whichnumbers · 10/05/2023 08:44

ask for their complaints procedure and start following that procedure to the letter, keep copies of everything you send to them in the manner of complaint and then keep escalating and copy in your localMP

CheeseTouch · 10/05/2023 08:46

That’s ridiculous, definitely follow the complaints procedure.

nobodygoesdowninthejungle · 10/05/2023 08:48

I read the thread title and couldn't understand the issue as I thought "just send in the birth certificate" and then read the thread and am now full of sympathy. This is insane. It is so frustrating when you get stuck in some sort of "computer says no" situation as it only ever seems to be someone really senior who can resolve it.
One thing - does your DS have the same name as your ex? Is that causing any confusion?
In this sort of situation, your MP might be your best bet. They might have some relatively senior contacts who can resolve it.

Whichnumbers · 10/05/2023 08:49

I would strongly suggest everything in writing and not on the telephone, as then it is easy to prove your case against them.

Beezknees · 10/05/2023 09:09

That is bizarre. I've been a lone parent for 15 years and I've never had to send anything to UC! They knew from my child benefit claim that I had a DC under 16.

loudbatperson · 10/05/2023 09:19

Are you claiming child benefit?

Is it the full birth certificate that you have sent in?

Is the name your UC claim in the same as that on the birth certificate, and if not have you sent in a supporting document to show reason for name change, such a marriage cert, divorce, deed poll etc.

Seems ridiculous they are unable to sort such a simple matter out.

skyeisthelimit · 10/05/2023 09:24

I would contact your local MP seeing as DWP/UC are Government departments, and ask him what more you can do to prove that DC is under 16. Ask them to intervene so that you don't end up homeless.

riotlady · 10/05/2023 09:29

Someone is badly fucking up there. Have you tried calling through the helpline instead of going through your journal?

ChopperC110P · 10/05/2023 09:30

You might need the full birth certificate that shows mother and father as well as child.

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/05/2023 09:33

Letter from GP or paediatrician? (shouldn’t be necessary, though)

HumourReplacementTherapy · 10/05/2023 09:34

They'd usually get the info verified via child benefit. Do you have CB in place?

Sunday10 · 10/05/2023 09:38

Definitely contact your local citizens Advice and your MP. They will be able to sort this ridiculous mess out. Good luck and hope it is sorted quickly.

Givemeadragon · 10/05/2023 09:49

I work for a CAB, we have phone and email contacts with DWP to escalate issues like this, so go see your local office as it sounds like you've got stuck in a loop with an idiot work coach x

Ariela · 10/05/2023 11:05

Do you pay single person's council tax? Can you show your council tax bill with single person discount, and ask why if the Council is happy they are not?

Blackbyrd · 10/05/2023 11:29

Ironic that a Citizen's Advice person is blaming a Work Coach for this situation, it is absolutely nothing to do with a Work Coach. CA are giving out a lot of wrong information lately, they need more paid professionals working for them

OP, go into your UC account and re-declare your child, declare your caring responsibility and check every aspect of your UC claim is correct as far as you can. The DWP think your child is a non dependent so make sure their DOB is correct. Keep checking your To Do list all the while

If re-entering the information correctly doesn't rectify the problem, your MP would be your best bet. Forget the "helpline", that is a Capita call centre not the DWP. They have no real knowledge of UC, just make false promises re call backs Case Managers do not have time to make. There are a few UC system glitches that have materialised in April, this may be one of them although they have been incorrect overlapping benefits deductions so far