Pointless UC meetings - vexing

[MrsCosmopilite]

We were moved from Child Tax Credits last year to UC. I don't work and I had not been claiming benefits for myself - the CTC money was used to fund things for DC.
As the situation currently stands, once our transfer/transition period ends, we will not qualify for the payments, as we have savings, which is fine.
I use my own money to fund things I want to do. The UC money is being used for DC's benefit, and not mine.

What is making me cross is that I have to attend weekly 'get back to work' meetings. I am not going to go back to work, I don't want to - I do a lot of unpaid things in the community. It seems so absolutely pointless. I have to spend ££ on bus/train fares to get to these meetings (so spending money I wouldn't usually), to tell them over and over again that in 5 or 6 weeks we'll no longer qualify. I'm on an 'intensive return' programme. So I'm taking up time with an advisor that would be better used helping someone who DOES need to get back, that DOES need help with their CV and job applications, etc.
Even if I did need/want help, in a couple of weeks we won't be eligible anyway.

Just cross right now as I had an appointment this morning and they've asked me to go to the next one on Monday.

End your claim now then if you don’t want to meet the criteria.

sorry that’s not how the system works…
either stop claiming immediately if you don’t want to jump through the necessary hoops, or suck it up for the remaining 5/6 weeks.

Yes it’s so pointless, they were taking up time having appointments with me even though my time was spent caring and a part time job, I had to keep repeating it and saying don’t they need the appointments for people who are needing to get a job?

If you don’t like the rules, then stop claiming

I don’t think this is a genuine post- no one can be this entitled.

On the off chance it is, with attitudes like this is it any wonder there are so many benefit bashing threads?

Sounds like you don’t need the money, how about ending your claim and leaving it to people who do need it

Stop claiming the money then.

Can't you use your own money to fund things for your DC too?

Why did you migrate over then? You should have just let your tax credit claim come to an end.
Why were you even claiming tax credits? You’ve chosen not to work, rather than circumstances forcing you not to work. So why claim public money?

Presumably she wanted to get the payments during the transitional period.

If you dont want to bother with the criteria, just end the claim now.

I'm sure you can just go on your journal and stop the claim, or just say you wont be attending the appointments and let the money stop.

Can you not see the entitlement of wanting to claim money, when you can afford not to and complaining about the rules that enable you to claim?

But the system is stupid. It is wasting the time of the people handling the 'back to work' thing as there won't be a resolution.
I didn't ask to go over to UC and be treated like a job-seeker. If I had, I'd happily suck it up.

I wasn't aware of an option to opt out. Had I been, I would have.

I understand what you're saying. I had not been in receipt of personal benefits before, I was doing what I was asked to do.

I assumed it was something we were supposed to do. I have been absolutely transparent with them from the outset. I have been told I MUST do as they ask.

The portion for DC is tied up in investments for their future.

Thankyou, yes this is my point.
I have to keep rescheduling things to go. I didn't ask to have UC. I didn't ask for benefits for me. Every time I raise an issue they bat it back and tell me I must do what they ask until the claim expires.

I think I shall. I don't understand why they moved us over to it if we are not going to be eligible. It feels like a box-ticking exercise.

They sent the letter to everyone as tax credits is ending.

How on earth are they going to know before you apply whether you’ll be eligible or not?

They didn’t move you over. You chose to when you made a claim for universal credit.

They didn't move you automatically though you applied.
I can seevits annoying but if you want the money you attend the appointments.
Will it end automatically at the end of the year or do you have to do something?

They didn't move you over. They sent you a letter giving you the option to claim uc which you chose to do. You didn't have to do it, you could have just let your tax credits claim end. You've been quite happy to take the extra years money but don't lie and say 'I didn't want to' because you chose to claim. People like you are why benefit claimants get treated like crap.

why do you keep saying the tax credits were used to fund the children's things and benefitted the children and not you? what do you think the rest of us use CTC for?

Entitled much OP? I can’t see you hear many people complaining about claiming free money.

Cancel your claim with immediate effect. Oh, wait. Let me guess. You want to bleed every last penny first? Thought so.

Not really sure how you can be eligible for UC or child tax credits when you have savings and investments? Surely they are for those on low incomes or who can't work for various reasons. No wonder country is skint (and I am not benefit bashing I am currently unable to work as a carer and single parent of severely disabled child)

Because seemingly some genius thought you should be able to have unlimited savings/second properties etc and still be eligible for tax credits.

As OP has transitioned over, it will be disregarded for the first year, after 12 months if they still have over £16k the claim will close as that’s the limit for UC.

Presumably the tax credits are ending because your child is an adult? Why don't they get a job or claim the benefits themselves?