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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel depressed at the universal credit system?

148 replies

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 11/08/2018 09:00

Trying to claim UC. I work part time and have mental health problems. I’m pregnant and won’t get SMP because I haven’t been in my job long enough.

The process is overwhelming me. I used to get TC and it was easy to apply for. They want me to bring so many documents and it makes me feel overwhelmed and depressed because I feel like a criminal on trial.

I am convinced I will get nothing and we will lose our home when I give birth. I honestly feel like my kids would be better off without me right now because I can’t even navigate this stupid system for them. I feel like the world is too loud and strong for me and I am weak and can’t sort this.

Can anyone who’s done this advise?

OP posts:
Leesa65 · 11/08/2018 12:50

I had my PIP claim rejected even though I have depression and severe anxiety among other things.

Yep .
Not claimed PIP but was on ESA until the assessment where I scored Zero . Its all about PHYSICAL abilities (or inability) with them, and it is wrong . I have depression , which is a mental health issue , they don't seem to ever consider that one !

MyDcAreMarvel · 11/08/2018 12:51

They don’t do anything on your claim either on working days, so calling on Monday would be the same as calling on a Wednesday if you claimed on a Tuesday.
You would still be contacting them the next working day.

Leesa65 · 11/08/2018 12:53

Re talking on the phone , I completely get you OP.

Explain to the person on the phone you have anxiety , and speaking on the phone is one of them, and (if you are like me in this case) words might not sound right or I speak too fast unwitingly etc. If they are a decent person they will understand.

Try not to cry, though I know that is easier said than done, and take the advise I have seen of tackling one part at a time .

I am sorry this is happening to you , being pregnant with twins as well. Flowers

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 11/08/2018 12:54

Okay thank you. I am worried but feel better now

OP posts:
Leesa65 · 11/08/2018 12:58

I just rang my parents up begging them to let us come live with them as a last resort instead of having to go through this and got screamed at about what a stupid worthless person I am.

Shock

Well aren't they just nice ? That is appalling OP , for gods sakes,
I have nothing but support through my depression , sounds like you have the opposite in your "parents".

MyDcAreMarvel · 11/08/2018 13:04

Sorry I meant they don’t do anything on your claim on weekends! Not working days.

Birdsgottafly · 11/08/2018 13:04

"" Its all about PHYSICAL abilities (or inability) with them, and it is wrong ""

Whilst I agree with you. People with severe physical illnesses get turned down.

If you need Housing Benefit, the LA's set their own deadline for changing everyone over, so you don't get to pick what benefit you go on.

My DD moved house and had to transfer to UC because of her HB. If she had moved a week earlier, she would have stayed on TC/HB.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 11/08/2018 13:06

Flowers Thinking of you op
. Oh trust me, lipstick the government know quite well how bad of an idea it is.
They just don't GAF. In fact they get off on people's suffering.

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 11/08/2018 13:22

They are usually helpful but my mum has anxiety herself and panics when I have an episode. They have apologised and are helping me now.

OP posts:
Leesa65 · 11/08/2018 13:25

They are usually helpful but my mum has anxiety herself and panics when I have an episode. They have apologised and are helping me now.

Pleased to read that .

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 11/08/2018 13:32

We are going to withdraw our claim and reapply for tax credits once twins are born. Thank you for all the advice.

OP posts:
LivesToTravel · 11/08/2018 13:43

If your not getting ssp have you checked whether your entitled to a maternity grant?

insideoutsider · 11/08/2018 14:00

Jeez! DO NOT CANCEL YOUR UC CLAIM! If you have twins, you are exempt from the 'over 2 children' rule! If you are in a UC area, you can't claim tax credits any longer. If you cancel it, you'll have to start over.

The interview you have is not an 'interview' as such but an appointment to check your ID or issue you a personal security number.

The separate appointments are NOT to catch you out. Appointments are issues by 'next available slot' and people cancel so you may have one at 9am and your partner has another at 2.30. In fact, you could have one at 9am, and another with someone else at noon of the same day. Your partner can certainly sit with you.

PM me if you have ANY questions about UC. I'm very happy to help. It is much easier than TC IMO.

MingeUterusMingeMingeYoni · 11/08/2018 14:09

OP when you say you won't have been in work for 26 weeks until week 34, are you counting that from the full 15 months pre due date? You can count work you've done for about 6 months prior getting pregnant for MA. If you are then ignore me.

Also, time you have spent in work but on annual leave can count towards MA, as long as you got paid. So if you end up going off a bit early because of the twins, worth considering using AL first before going on ML- so you are still 'working' for as long as poss.

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 11/08/2018 14:20

Yes it’s counting for as long as the 15 months, I didn’t work for about 18 months prior because of health and then when I could work it took ages to find a suitable job. I need flexible hours and not really people facing due to anxiety.

inside what is the system like?

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 11/08/2018 16:16

@insideoutsider you don’t understand the reason for cancelling. Yes op will get money for all three dc that’s not it the issue.
The use is UC is an awful system. If the op waits until the twins are born she will be able to claim tax credits. More money, no stress and transitional protection.
Please read the thread and resons for my advice before commenting.

MyDcAreMarvel · 11/08/2018 16:18

@BlairWaldorfsHeadband once your twins are born you can claim tax credits in in UC full area you are not able to claim UC in any area if you have three children.

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 11/08/2018 16:19

Marvel thank you so much for your advice. I was able to go out and think for a bit and I will do doing what you advised. You have made the worry much less than it was earlier.

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 11/08/2018 16:19

* If you are in a UC area, you can't claim tax credits any longer. If you cancel it, you'll have to start over.*

Please don’t say incorrect information anyone with three children not only can claim tax credits, they are barred for claiming UC.

MyDcAreMarvel · 11/08/2018 16:21

@BlairWaldorfsHeadband glad you are less stressed.

insideoutsider · 11/08/2018 17:43

@MyDcAreMarvel
Please don’t say incorrect information anyone with three children not only can claim tax credits, they are barred for claiming UC
And you know that I'm giving incorrect information how? Do you know what I do for a living? You have gone and told a woman struggling with anxiety with twins on the way to close her UC claim. Also that she can't claim if she has twins which is wrong. There are exceptional circumstances and twins are one of those.
Her twins are not even born yet so that wont affect her in any case in the meantime. When they are born, exceptional circumstances takes effect. Since you know what you're talking about, I hope you'll be there when she receives no tax credits and needs somewhere to live.

To OP and others who may be interested, EVERYBODY currently on tax credits will eventually be on UC whether or not we like it. It's just a matter of time. People will be moved across gradually and we will have to go through this sooner or later.

OP, the system is that you make your claim online, you are entitled to you and partner's standard allowance (around £458), housing element if you rent, child element (around 250 per child) and if you have childcare costs, you can claim back 80% of that, if you are found unfit for work, you'll get the health element. Your partner's earnings will affect this but you get to keep 37p on the pound he earns up to a point. This is done so that no household is better off financially by not working. If he is an employee, his salary is automatically reported to HMRC. If he is self employed, it's a little more complicated. In the meantime, check entitledto.co.uk for a near enough estimate. After the first 2 appointments, things should get vastly easier.

For you, from 11wks to EDD, you'll be on the 'no work related' group so not required to look for work. When your babies are 2yrs you'll have a meeting every 6 months or so. For your DH, if his earnings are low, he'll be encouraged to look for more work but not to leave his current job as some work is better than none.

The must dos are to make sure you 'Accept your commitments' on your to-do list - without that, your payments can't be released. Ensure the items on your to-do list are done. If you experience any difficulties, send a message through your online journal as that is the only provable communication. If you can't attend an appointment, send a journal message BEFORE the appointment and they'll work with you.

I wish you the best and i advise you do what is best for your family after you've sought proper advise - CAB are quite good there. Many here speak from their own circumstances and experiences which will be very different from yours.

insideoutsider · 11/08/2018 17:49

Sorry about the long post.
Please see the guidance for multiple births in this link:
www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-families-with-more-than-2-children-information-for-claimants

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 11/08/2018 18:07

Marvel isn’t saying I won’t get universal credit for my twins, I think she is saying if I wait and apply for tax credits I can have the old system which is easier and better to use?

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 11/08/2018 18:11

insideoutsider are you there for the people who are being made homeless due to UC?

Neshoma · 11/08/2018 18:18

Helena, There are many reasons why UC claimants may be made homeless, often it not because they are on UC!