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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What are the chances of me getting paid my universal credit?

37 replies

ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:23

I have an alarm on my phone the day before my UC is due to submit childcare costs. Never a problem and never submit them late. The reason I do it this was is because my bank statement is only available just before my date to submit and as i pay chikdcare weekly at varying rates i need it to be as up to date as possible.

This month when my alarm went off I went to submit my childcare costs and there was no signal on my phone. I had no 4g connection for 24 hours. I don't have WiFi as I have unlimited data on my phone so run a hot spot. It was 9 pm and my son was in bed asleep. I went to a relatives house first thing the next morning to submit the costs and look at why I didn't have 4g. Three network website said they were working on masts in my area and apologies for the inconvenience. I have the screenshot.

Put a note on my journal apologising and explaining what had happened and that i could provide the screenshot from that morning. It was a matter of 9 hours and 15 mins late.

I paid the childcare costs on 2nd August for childcare from 1st - 31st August

Assessment period is 9th - 8th.

Submitted them on 9th September. Got a message saying it has gone to decision maker and may not receive anything.

Are they really likely to do me out of 5/600 over a being a few hours late?

OP posts:
melmonroe · 23/09/2023 16:29

If they agree you couldn't have reported them earlier then they will normally allow. It's down to the decision maker to decide if there was no other way to do it.

ucnotes.co.uk/universal-credit-home-page/how-much-menu/help-with-childcare-costs/#:~:text=Report%20your%20costs%20as%20soon,ill%20or%20away%20from%20home.

Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:32

melmonroe · 23/09/2023 16:29

If they agree you couldn't have reported them earlier then they will normally allow. It's down to the decision maker to decide if there was no other way to do it.

ucnotes.co.uk/universal-credit-home-page/how-much-menu/help-with-childcare-costs/#:~:text=Report%20your%20costs%20as%20soon,ill%20or%20away%20from%20home.

I don't understand how they're going to make that decision without anyone having spoken to me? All I did was leave a brief message on my journal saying I didn't have Internet connection so it wasn't possible for me to report them when I tried. I mean, of course I COULD have reported them the day before however I had no way of knowing I'd be without Internet. I'm so stressed about this as I will be screwed without that payment.

OP posts:
Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:35

It went to decision makers 9 days ago but have no idea how long it takes.

OP posts:
73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:37

My assessment period is the same as yours and if I’m ever late they write an automatic message on your journal stating ‘we owe you money’
I believe there’s a period of 3 months before your unable to claim back childcare expenses.

Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:39

73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:37

My assessment period is the same as yours and if I’m ever late they write an automatic message on your journal stating ‘we owe you money’
I believe there’s a period of 3 months before your unable to claim back childcare expenses.

Apparently you have to report it within the assessment period following the assessment period you paid the costs in. But because my assessment period starts so close to the date I pay the costs I get one month and 6 days, whilst others will have close to 2 months to pay.

OP posts:
Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:43

It literally says here, on the government website that if you leave it longer than 2 months you might not get them back. I paid them on the 2nd August and reported them on 9th September, well within 2 months. Im being told tnough that it is 2 assessment periods. This guidance was updated in June 2023. It's so confusing.

What are the chances of me getting paid my universal credit?
OP posts:
73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:43

@ORYX99 as the childcare has already happened they have to reimburse it, and that payment will be allocated into that assessment period.
They only not pay it if it goes over 3 months, or it’s months ahead and the childcare hasn’t happened yet.

ineedafairygodmother · 23/09/2023 16:43

Why do you have to wait for your bank statement? I send a screenshot of the bank transfer when it's been made and that's accepted... means you could send it the day you pay your childcare costs and don't run the risk of leaving it too late

Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:43

73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:43

@ORYX99 as the childcare has already happened they have to reimburse it, and that payment will be allocated into that assessment period.
They only not pay it if it goes over 3 months, or it’s months ahead and the childcare hasn’t happened yet.

I'm not sure this is true

OP posts:
73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:45

@ORYX99 it says on the link I’ve just provided. My assessment period is the same as yours I pay my childcare the 5th of every month and upload the evidence on that date.
write a note on your journal or call them, they have to pay you back as that childcare has been and gone from this assessment period.

Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:47

ineedafairygodmother · 23/09/2023 16:43

Why do you have to wait for your bank statement? I send a screenshot of the bank transfer when it's been made and that's accepted... means you could send it the day you pay your childcare costs and don't run the risk of leaving it too late

They won't accept it. I'm told it has to be a bank statement with my name and address on. It has never been a problem in the last 4 years I've been claiming.

OP posts:
TwilightSkies · 23/09/2023 16:48

I take a screenshot of my online banking. Makes life MUCH easier, and they have accepted it for years!

Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:49

73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:45

@ORYX99 it says on the link I’ve just provided. My assessment period is the same as yours I pay my childcare the 5th of every month and upload the evidence on that date.
write a note on your journal or call them, they have to pay you back as that childcare has been and gone from this assessment period.

It literally says on the link you sent me the you put in a claim for up to 3 months at a time but if claiming for more than one month you might not get the money back.

OP posts:
ineedafairygodmother · 23/09/2023 16:49

@ORYX99 that's a pain.... and it's rubbish that they seem to have different rules for everyone... I just send a screenshot of the transfer and as long as it has my account details and the childcare details, the amount paid and date it's accepted along with a copy of the childcare invoice

Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:50

TwilightSkies · 23/09/2023 16:48

I take a screenshot of my online banking. Makes life MUCH easier, and they have accepted it for years!

I'm with a mobile bank and can't screenshot it because it's not allowed by my phone. Just says you can't screenshot private content. As I said it hasn't been a problem in 4 years and it was my last claim as my son is in school now so I won't ever have to do it again.

OP posts:
cadburyegg · 23/09/2023 16:51

I think you need to figure out a better system than having to leave it literally to the last minute to submit because of the issue with bank statements. I claim my childcare back from UC too and we are given loads of time to submit proof of the costs.

73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:52

@ORYX99 it says MIGHT not,
I am only trying to help, give them a call.
As other posters have tried to help you on this thread and you seem to be very defensive.

Grumpis · 23/09/2023 16:53

They messed me about with mine and I went to the MP. It was very swiftly sorted.

Original poster
ORYX99 · 23/09/2023 16:53

73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:52

@ORYX99 it says MIGHT not,
I am only trying to help, give them a call.
As other posters have tried to help you on this thread and you seem to be very defensive.

No I'm not being defensive I'm just letting you know you are wrong in saying that they have to pay me back three months of costs. There is a difference between being defensive and correcting something that is incorrect. I am very grateful for everyone's help.

OP posts:
mummy21blueeyed · 23/09/2023 16:55

I get paid by UC on the 6th of every month and that’s when it is paid I then have till the 28th/29th to provide evidence of childcare fees my childminder provides me with an invoice and it’s all okay. I’ve only ever left it once till the very day and they were fine so I wasn’t late so I’m not sure but you need to find a way to make this work better for you than the system you’ve already got.

73636sssss · 23/09/2023 16:56

@ORYX99 if you read my post properly I gave that as example that they do reimburse stuff that is late because the childcare has been and gone.
It’s very rare that they don’t reimburse, what I am trying to say to you is that your childcare should be reimbursed and allocated on your payment from your assessment period just gone.

areyouhavinglaugh · 23/09/2023 16:56

Oh god they are trying to migrate me over but this honestly sounds like a nightmare!

mummy21blueeyed · 23/09/2023 16:56

They also state they can back date up to 3 months hur you may not get it so the poster is correct they do back date.

TheGoodBanana · 23/09/2023 17:06

I always submit my invoice and a screenshot of the bank transfer. Never had a problem.

You will get the money back, hopefully as a one off payment, this is what they have done for me in the past however that's when it has been their mistake.

There is a chance they will make you wait till your next payment as that's the assessment period you submitted it in. I really don't see that they wouldn't pay it at all though. It's just a case of when.