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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think universal credit should get it right first time

4 replies

Thegracefuloctopus · 01/08/2019 06:38

Woken up this morning to our first notification of payment... Of 0 pounds. I'm fuming. They have missed out our childcare costs despite this being the only part of the system we need. Cant ring until 8am and lines will be chocka block. So it looks like I'm spending my day on hold, only to get through to some sarcy sod who says "you'll have to wait till next month now" which leaves us on the breadline.
I'm soo angry. This is more of a rant. But surely it's not unreasonable to expect them to do it right first time and if not, put it right straight away, not wait a month.

OP posts:
transformandriseup · 01/08/2019 07:32

Yes, it’s terrible. There should be some way to rectify mistakes sooner than wait a month, even if they had to send you a cheque.

user1468348545 · 01/08/2019 07:43

This happened with me one month. I put a note on the journal (often quicker than calling them!) And they checked the mistake within 48 hours. Then had the money they owed me the next day! It's not on they make the mistake but equally 72 hours to rectify and get me the money was pretty good so dont give up hope yet.

Doodledoom · 01/08/2019 07:43

They will only pay for childcare that has fallen within your assessment period. If the invoice provided has dates from outside your assessment period that will be paid in your next payment.

The childcare system doesn't work with universal credits at all it screws so many people over. People get around this by asking the childcare provider to invoice the dates within the assessment period each month so the get the full amount they are entitled to back each month.

Original poster
Thegracefuloctopus · 01/08/2019 07:52

Thanks @user1468348545 that gives me some hope.
@Doodledoom thanks. Our assessment period is 1st-31st and all our costs were within that as the nursery invoice 1st-31st as well (thankfully!). From the online account it looks like they've just completely missed it. So not miscalculated, it's not on there at all. Its so frustrating. Hope it is t a recurrent thing as I cannot ring them the 1st of every month to rectify it! I've added a note to journal and will ring them as soon as I can. Thanks all

OP posts:
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