To feel depressed at the universal credit system?

[BlairWaldorfsHeadband]

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?

@insideoutsider I didn’t say she couldn’t claim UC if she I said pregnant with twins she can. But once the twins are born and she has three dc she can only claim tax credits which is far far better than UC.

@insideoutsider you really have not read anything I have posted have you.

1. yes the op can currently claim UC
2. yes she would receive money for all three dc due to multiple birth
3. op would be better off waiting until twins are born and then she can claim tax credits which she is currently ineligible for.
4. if the op claims tax credits she will stay on them for considerable time possibly as late as 2023
5. there is no conditionality with tax credits
6. childcare is paid in advance with tax credits
7. When the op is migrated onto tax credits she will have transitional protection.

Also that she can't claim if she has twins which is wrong. There are exceptional circumstances and twins are one of those.
Nope I said the op can’t currently claim
UC if she has three children so consequently she would have the advantage of being eligible for tax credits.
At no point did I say you could not get paid UC for three dc, there are quite a few exceptions to that rule.

8. you lose more UC per earned pound than you do with working tax credits.

Some people are a tually better off on UC so really anyone weighing up which is better for them should get a better off calculation done from CAB or similar. People have short memories and forget all the problems that tax credits bring.

Tax credits never gave me any problems. Life was stress free on tax credits.

DP and I have been arguing about this and I feel like crying again.

And many people claim.UC without any problems.

In OPs case I think the conditionality is worth considering.

Tax credits caused problems for a lot of people though maybe not you. People ended up with horrendous overpayments which they spend years paying back and changes in circumstances can lead to overpayments or underpayments. Uc is based on a more real time system and adjusts to what people earn.

Op will have no conditionality once 28 weeks pregnant and none as a main carer once the babies are born.

I'm t advising either way and havent read the whole thread. I justvthink she should get a better off calculation done before making a decision.

Sorry that should say not advising.

I had one overpayment once but I noticed I had been payed twice and rang them and paid it back instantly. Didn’t have any issues with it but I know others may have done.

I found it made me feel very secure. It made me feel supported in that I could work above 16 hours and not feel pressured to take on more than I can do health wise.

UC makes me feel like I am on trial for some reason

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/11/third-of-universal-credit-claimants-face-payment-deductions

Blair will pm you

Thank you!

Blair, please get a better off calculation at CAB before making any decisions. Whilst Marvel is no doubt well meaning they don't know your individual circumstances and what is right for them may not be right for you.

All because they shout loudest that does not make them right. Just quite shouty.

Get some support from someone who can tailor advice to your circumstances.

I will get some advice, I am reading all the comments and trying to research both.

I definitely feel safer on TC but that’s because I know the system.

Is it just the child and working element you need? If you're in need of housing benefit then you'll have to apply for UC as that's not under the tax credit system

Housing isn’t needed as we can get by with working and child. I don’t even know if we qualify for housing, we just mainly need the WTC and CTC element.

In which case as others have suggested speaking to CAB will be your best bet as they can evaluate what you have and tell you what you're eligible for and you can make a decision from there. Good luck

Bloody hell, so much irresponsible advice on this thread

OP, I work for Citizens Advice. Sadly as I’m sure you’ve gathered, this is complicated! Noone (and certainly no one unqualified!) can tell you what to do without knowing more about your circumstances. Firstly it depends where you live and whether universal credit has been introduced there yet (eg “full service”) or not. Secondly you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance but it depends on your earnings and NI contributions. Thirdly depending on when your PIP claim was rejected (was it less than a month ago?) you may be able to challenge the decision or reapply. Fourthly... well if you came to see me I’d have plenty of questions but I’ll stop there! Please see if your DP will go with you to the Citizens Advice or contact them (if that will be hard for you?) There is even online chat.

Also if you are not already getting professional help for your depression and anxiety please do talk to your GP and/or midwife

PIP was over three years ago! It was when it first came out.

I am getting help for it. I have had treatment on and off for about ten years now. It’s know about. Nothing really works though other than occasional benzo use which doctors aren’t happy to prescribe even though I’ve used them for eight years and never use more than 20 pills a year.

@AnotherEmma you can’t currently claim UC if you live in a live service area as you should know if you work for CAB. Therefore the op by default lives in a full service area.
Nobody can currently claim UC even if they wanted to if they have three dc, and as the op wants to claim TC rather than UC she has the option of waiting until the twins are born and then claiming TC.
Again if you work for cab you would know that if the op claims UC before the twins are born she would have to wait six months before claiming tax credits.
Incidentally a claimant with three dc can currently claim housing benefit in full UC areas.

You are trying to pursuade her not to claim UC without even knowing if she would be better off on it. Telling her yo cancel her claim ( if that is even possible ?? ) without her even having a better off calculation is not good advice.