Universal credit what my husband to go to the job centre, AIBU?!

[ImEasyLikeSundayMorning]

After a string off 'errors' that occurred out of nowhere, we have been kicked off tax credits, and we cannot reapply.

Both DH and I work full time and have not been out of work for many many years.

We can only apply for universal credit. We are entitled to a very small amount towards DC3's childcare but we are absolutely broke and desperate so need to apply.

Despite checking and double checking, during the application they did not ask for DH's income (self employed), but they did require mine.
DH had a phone interview today and has to go to the job centre next week to prove he is self employed and working.

We hare always just used his self tax form for that in the past.

Who can just drop work like that with a weeks notice?! I know I can't.

Is this a normal expectation?!

You should have realised you couldn’t afford a 3 rd child. Why shouldn’t your husband do anything necessary in order to get your free money.

I’m a teacher and claim UC, having originally started my claim during lockdown. I have had to go and explain to my Head that I have to attend a meeting at a Jobcentre 22 miles away in order to show documents in person, and that I would need supply/ TA cover for my class in order to do so.
I have also been sanctioned (had money taken off my entitlement as a punishment) for not being able to answer a scheduled call during the school day.

Oh, they also refused to pay my childcare costs to start with because my son is at school and I “work school hours”. It took many calls and journal entries to different people in order to explain that I do not attend school with my son and that I actually have to be in my classroom before my class arrive and I have to be at school long after they leave!

Welcome to Universal Credit.

Shouldn't you both be making a fair whack then? All the builders I know are raking it in, and specialist nurse wage is hardly tiny.

It’s really a frustrating system now

That my whole point and you really don’t know what you’re talking about!! I’m done with this thread. I can see the angle people are coming from and you’re acting like is people like me that’s caused the crisis. No it’s the people that sat on there arse for 2 years during covid. I won’t be looking again so don’t bother responding !!

A self employed builder, I've never met a poor one.

Some of the people on this thread are arrogant arseholes. Just miserable.

I think it’s harder taking time off work when you’re self employed so I’m totally in agreement OP. I’m SE and once I’ve set my 14 week term and made it available to the public to book onto I can’t just cancel for an appointment- and there’s only me running my business I have no staff to cover me. I don’t think folks understand that when you are self employed it doesn’t mean you can just move work around Willy nilly and take time off whenever you want to. I’ll never ever claim UC again I ended up owing them money even though I was declaring my earnings to the monthly because they fluctuate. I’d rather spoon out my eyes… good luck OP I hope you sort it out - personally I’d be looking for another income stream to add alongside your work you already do. Xx

Yes totally standard. Its just to check you're who you say you are etc and to explain how to fill out self employed bit
Takes an hour max. Then update monthly with income/expenses.
I also thought odd nowhere to put income from self employed on form.

To all the people saying it’s his dinner hour etc… if you live somewhere like I do it will take you 45mins to drive to the town that your local JC is in never mind parking, explaining, sorting it out & getting back…

id be pissed but maybe you just need to bite the billet & pick the day that it’ll least impact & check their opening hours /not closed for lunch etc

My husband is self employed and he has to go to the job centre every 3 months to prove he's gainfully self employed he has to take an afternoon off work to go. Pisses me off every time

Why are you so angry about his one hour at the job centre?
As a result of it you will have additional income,perhaps more than you think ?
try to see it as a positive thing in that the paperwork will be looked at correctly and he can ask any questions directly face to face.good luck.🌻

They are correct OP. He will have to go for an in person appointment as he is self employed to show he is gainfully self employed. I don’t want to sugar coat it or anything so I’ll be blunt. UC and self employment is a pain in the backside but after this appointment it should be okay. Put a message asking for everything he’ll need so it can be done on the one day. They can’t make it a telephone appointment or an online one as it’s a payment blocker until then.

My bf had an appointment made for him to prove his identity - we have a joint claim to help out with the baby - and was given 2 days notice via text message. He couldn't get the time off & had to get a Saturday appointment. This turned out to be a week later, but again only notified by text with 24hrs notice

@ImEasyLikeSundayMorning

... but of course if he doesn't go [on principle] he will be sanctioned!

Clearly there should be. Everyone here could moan, or could email the new DWP minister Chloe Smith MP and request exactly that.

Well it’s free money so obviously they have to make sure you are eligible.

Ensure that this is done before the end of your assessment period as it's a payment blocker. It's a gateway appointment, all self-employed have to do it unless exempt (carers etc)

It is normal. If you want the UC you have to follow the rules

They do appointments on a saturday.

Hmm. Sounds dubious. I'd complain in writing and ask MP for support

Not familiar with DWP practices but logically they should be able to check he is self employed with HMRC... assuming he has lodged tax returns in the past

Maybe they do but when that kind of info isn’t given to people and you’re not used to the system and you’re being told you need to to xyz or risk getting nothing how is anyone to know?

When my DH was made redundant and we tried to see if we were eligible for anything it was completely unfathomable for the most part since neither of us had ever gone through the systems.

Not that hard is is to drop of a form to the job centre. See it as a gps appointment etc why people let the benefit system wind them up so much is beyond me