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?

Op Citizens advice will help you for free. They will help you fill in the forms.

@HelenaDove
insideoutsider are you there for the people who are being made homeless due to UC? I am there for people who are made homeless by DV, family problems, landlord issues, substance abuse and yes, mismanagement of their UC claim or any other benefit for that matter. What's your point?

@MyDcAreMarvel
But once the twins are born and she has three dc she can only claim tax credits which is far far better than UC
Again, incorrect. She can claim UC because even though she has 3 dc, the twins are exceptional circs. The 'far better' is YOUR opinion. I read your full posts and many of the points are based on your opinion such as the 2023 date you plucked out of the sky. It's fine to have those opinions but telling a person who is vulnerable to close their claim based on your say-so is damaging.

Great to hear posters encouraging OP to seek proper advise on her benefits before making life changing amendments to her benefits. @BlairWaldorfsHeadband, remember that your circumstances are unique to YOU. You May not need housing costs but if you have declared it, you will be paid it. It may come in handy for when your DP's salary eats into your UC. Best of luck!

@insideoutsider
Are you sure you work for the CAB nobody can claim UC with three or more dc. Nobody whether they are twins and a single baby , three single babies born before or after April 2017. no one
Yes I am well aware that the op can claim for three children as she as twins but currently you can only claim tax credits
Why don’t you understand this?

Again, incorrect. She can claim UC because even though she has 3 dc, the twins are exceptional circs.
Helpful link for you , maybe you can show it to your colleagues at the CAB
www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-families-with-more-than-2-children-information-for-claimants

I have copied and pasted part of the link for you just to make it nice and easy for you to read.

“If you have 3 or more children you won’t be able to make a new Universal Credit claim at the moment unless either:

you have been getting Universal Credit within the previous six month period and are making a reclaim
you’re making a new claim as a single person within one month of a previous joint claim ending, because you are no longer a member of a couple
If you have 3 or more children you may be able to claim Child Tax Credit and other benefits.”

@insideoutsider

New claim for Universal Credit

From 6 April 2017 you will not be able to make a new claim for Universal Credit, even in a Universal Credit full service area, if you have 3 or more children, regardless of when they were born.

Instead you will have to make a claim for Child Tax Credit and other 'legacy' benefits; Working Tax Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit.

There are two exceptions to this:

if you claimed Universal Credit in the previous 6 months and are able to make a UC re-claim or
if you are making a single claim and were part of a UC couple claim that ended within the last month.

From entitled to , would you like any more info or do you know understand that you can’t claim UC currently with three or more dc and I am not misunderstanding exceptional circumstances!

Oh and 2023 is currently the last date tax credit claimants will be moved on to UC. I clearly stated potentially as late as then.

It's certainly depressing, even more so that it appears that the taxpayer is clearly expected to fund this child

@MyDcAreMarvel
It is you who hasn't read my messages or understood anything. I never said i worked for CAB - that was another poster. I won't bother telling you where i work - it'll be of no use to you.

Congrats on finding Google. If you look at my post earlier today at 17:49, I posted that same link. Scroll down to the part that talks about multiple births if you are able.

Now, I ask you to leave me alone. Other posters too have pointed out the poor advice you've given. Feel free to keep giving it to the OP as she says she feels better. I have nothing more for you.

My mistake re CAB but you are insistent that the op could claim Uc with three dc , that is not currently the case.
Why do you keep mentioning exceptions?
And I used google because the government documents available to me are confidential I could not post them online!

For goodness sake YES YOU CAN CLAIM FOR THREE DC WITH MULIPLE BIRTHS.
But NOBODY can CURRENTLY claim for more than three dc whilst the UC IT systems are being updated!

Op I don't know where you are but I'm a support worker employed on behalf of the local authority. I support people through exactly what you are going through and to help you engage Inn counselling and the mental he lath team network. I would Google support worker and your area. Most local authorities have us although some are phone based.
What I would say is always take someone to appointments with you. You don't want a report written saying you attended alone and answer questions based on ur worst day. My experience is they minimise your answers especially with MH with statements such as "they didn't appear to look anxious or worried or they walked into the room without crying". These are 2 direct quotes from reports issued from Pip assessments. We then help clients file mandatory reconsiderations and appeals if necessary. My team(between 40-50) have a success rate of over 90% when it comes to challenging pip rejections.
Im not trying to scare you but say there is help there and I leven if it's not a yes straight away there is hope. Unfortunately with MH because you can't see a limb missing or the pain you feel it's easily discounted. Good Luck and congratulations.

It's certainly depressing, even more so that it appears that the taxpayer is clearly expected to fund this child

I work. My DP works. I’m disabled so I can’t work full time. Perhaps your issue should be that people aren’t paid living wages, rents are extortionate and that disabled people face stigma and discrimination? Me and my partner are tax payers too.

they didn't appear to look anxious or worried or they walked into the room without crying". These are 2 direct quotes from reports issued from Pip assessments.

They said similar things on mine, things about how I looked. Which is funny because you can’t see severe anxiety....

I work. My DP works. I’m disabled so I can’t work full time. Perhaps your issue should be that people aren’t paid living wages, rents are extortionate and that disabled people face stigma and discrimination? Me and my partner are tax payers too

Yes I understand that you work but am simply commenting that you don't appear to earn enough to afford 3 DC. Similar to myself!

Wouldn’t be an issue if I got maternity pay.

@NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 you do understand that when you plan one more child you can end up with two more.

The system is complicated but tbh I think a change was needed. Interviews etc are stressful but workers (I know you work too op) have to go through stressful processes to become employed and get paid so I do believe that this at least tries to bring in some parity. I think there's still too many errors in the process but some people were taking the piss and that needed stopping.

I believe in a welfare system and absolutely don't begrudge genuine claimants- thing is though, how else can need be determined? There has to be some kind of interview / questioning surely?

Wouldn’t be an issue if I got maternity pay.

Certainly sounds like waiting until you were eligible would have been sensible. However maternity pay will only help with the first year of the child's life.

"I know you work too op) have to go through stressful processes to become employed and get paid"

And UC claimants who work have to do both so whats your point?

PlaymobilPirate, what benefit are you talking about and who was taking the piss?

As for the PIP process. If the NHS is treating you for something and you have top consultants treating you at the cost of £75k+ a year. Then if a PIP assessor decides they are wrong. Surely we should be able to sue the NHS for wrongful diagnosis or treatment, or we are entitled to the benefit?

I'm finding universal credit very overwhelming plus all the other bills I have to remember think I'll have to buy a folder to organise myself just can't seem to lose things and forget at the best of times. Got to go to job centre first universal credit meeting tomorrow hope it goes OK fone everything I need to do is think oh God does anyone else feel like THIS? Had to learn most things myself got a bit of help from library staff online and my daughter uploading CV difficulties ok

God I think the rents the worst thing

I presume we will never find out if op got her tax credits like she hoped or universal credit, I ended up owing tax credit after my son stopped college and they back dated it till the end of the previous school year

I’m on uc and found it easy to sort out

I am also aware that this is an old thread