TO think universal credit is bullshit?

[Cloud9Until6am]

DH suggested applying for family tax credits - apparently our area uses universal credits.

I've just spent an hour and a half online filling out page after page of information (literally everything about our home and work situation) then being taken to a separate website to verify my identity - downloading an app, taking photos of myself, drivers licence, passport (the details of which I've already submitted on the gov.uk website)

Only to be taken back to the gov.uk website to be told I'll need to meet a job centre advisor to look for work. I'm already employed! Arghhh!

Next time your DH suggests something - suggest he do it himself

DH already tried to apply once through the family tax credits o line form. Filled out all our details only to get to the end and be told it doesn't apply as our area is now using universal credit! He can phone them and ask wtf is going on though

I Did this last week and thought the same! But when I went to the appointment to verify my identity they said I was not in the ‘demographic’ that needed to apply for jobs or check in at job centre- it’s just standard wording he told me. I’m on a zero hours contract doing waitressing approx 18 hours a week during school hours only.

I’ll see as time goes on if this is the case!

On Uc everyone has different work commitments depending on your individual situation. So if they say you should be working full time and you are only working part time you will be expected to spend time job hunting for extra hours. My 53 year old friend was mad to write an essay last week on " a day in the life of a receptionist". So patronising but you risk the money being sanctioned if you don't comply.

The appointment was at the job centre, 10 mins allocated for it, they just give you a pin code for the account you’ve already created and look at the originals of your identification. No further career discussion after I explained my current job. It was massively more pain free than I expected.
Keep an eye on the journal section of the online portal as that’s where you arrange the appointments.

My experience is the same as @Insertquirkyname

My DH (who had just lost his job) was expected to look for work etc so is given appointments every few weeks (last 10 minutes and are just a catch up really).

After my initial appointment I haven't been given one since (I'm employed but on Mat Leave so obviously wouldn't be expected to look for work).

Sorry I forgot to add my DH has a job now but it's a zero hours contract so still has meetings with his work coach to discuss other options. His work coach is brilliant and has even suggested going back to education which is something my DH has always wanted to do anyway.

I would just like them to answer questions my disabled son leaves in the journals. 3 weeks we have been waiting for an answer to his claim and no response. If I don't get one by Monday I will be ringing as I am in the process of getting power of attorney and can make decisions for him. Imagine he had ignored a question for three weeks.

" My 53 year old friend was mad to write an essay last week on " a day in the life of a receptionist". So patronising but you risk the money being sanctioned if you don't comply"

Cant wait till they ask sex chatline worker to do this.

YANBU. It's beyond bullshit.

As PP have said there is a claimant commitment.

It is possible that you may have to look for more work even if you are working again the moment "in work conditionality". Turn2us is a charity and has the following detail
"In-work conditionality

You might face conditionality requirements even though you are already in work. Your conditionality requirements depend on how much you are earning and whether your wages are over your earnings threshold.

If you are earning below your threshold you will be expected to make efforts to increase your income. The DWP suggest that this may include increasing the hours you work, finding additional work or finding a new job with a higher income.

The threshold is based on what you would earn if you worked for 35 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage. Though if you have caring responsibilities your threshold may be lower than this. If you are claiming as a couple, the DWP will look at whether you are earning above your threshold as a couple.

If you are single and earning over your earnings threshold, or you are a couple and earning over your joint earnings threshold, you will be subject to no work-related requirements.

If you are single and earning less than your earnings threshold but more than £338 per month, you will be subject to all work-related requirements, except for looking for work. You will still have to be ready to take up more work, to do the things your job coach asks you to and to go to work-focused interviews.

If you are a couple and earning less than your joint earnings threshold but more than £541 per month, you will be subject to all work-related requirements, except for looking for work. You will still have to be ready to take up more work, to do the things your job coach asks you to and to go to work-focused interviews.

If you are single and earning less than £338 per month, or you are a couple and earning less than £541 per month, you will be subject to all work-related requirements. The amount of time you are expected to spend on looking for and preparing for work will depend on how much you are working and if you have caring responsibilities."

www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Claimant-Commitment-Conditionality

tinytemper66
I volunteer for citizens advice. If the power of attorney hasn't gone through have your son with you to give consent. They are usually happy to speak to cab after they go through security questions- I suggest your son has his bank card/Phone number written down beforehand. Some of the advisers are great but some won't go ahead if there is any hint that we have helped the client (eg said it's written on your form).

You/your son can submit a complaint about the slowness. my cab doesn't do casework, but some do or you could contact your son's MP

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

Really helpful singasong thank you.

Thanks singasong 😊

Try being in a UC area and having three children! The system simply cannot cope and the staff seem to think their heads will explode if they have to deal with a claim involving more than two dcs...
Then you have to go to the council to apply for housing benefit and council tax benefit, and try and sort the tax credits and it is like banging your head against a brick wall of frustration and incompetence