To think Universal Credit are a bunch of cunts

[StarbucksStraw]

I work full time but also claim Universal Credit.

They have awarded me £0 this month because two of my wages have fallen within one assessment period therefore to them, it looks like I have earned twice as much.

This happens several times a year because of how my wages are paid, each time I have to raise a dispute, they then "move" one lot of wages to a different assessment period and adjust my statement and pay me the outstanding amount. This is usually sorted within a few days but sometimes takes longer.

This time my payment is nearly three weeks overdue. I have no money left, all of my wages have been spent on rent, direct debits etc. Every time I ask them for an update I get fuck all.

How can they leave someone in this situation? They told me to ask the local authority for help but I've had no luck.

They already have the information from HMRC/ my employer showing when I was paid and how much. What the actual fuck do the expect people to do? I can't run my car to get to work on fresh air and I doubt my son wants to live off whatever stale shite is left in the cupboard for the next fuck knows how long.

I don't know what I'm hoping for from this post... anyone else had success in getting them to hurry up?

Exactly how much money are you expecting those extra shifts to pay? If, and it's a big if, they are available, by the time she's paid the additional childcare costs and lost her benefits because of the extra money she's earning, she'll probably be worse off.

Errrr no hope that clears it up for you

OP - contact your MP immediately. Easy to do.
i was working with someone, no money for almost 3 months. I was chasing it almost daily. We contacted her MP who was very helpful and it was suddenly sorted in a few days.
i agree its the shit system but it in my situation it was also made much worse by incompetent, rude staff, everyone passing the buck and not being able to speak to someone who would take responsibility and see it through.
The only way of contact is to leave a message in your journal and then if they reply no updates your are screwed!

Seems like exactly the right word for them to me.

@SpidersAreShitheads and @VeryHappyBunny

I'm so sorry you've both been in such difficult circumstances- not helped by a system thay just seems designed to hinder you even further when things are already so tough. I hope things gave got easier for you both recently.

I just checked online and if I close my claim then re-claim within six months, my assessment period will stay the same.

I will try my MP but I wrote to them before and they weren't very helpful (Conservative).

I doubt it will be scrapped.

It sounds like your employer is at fault.

We haven't had too many issues with UC. The main one was moving the date my husband was paid so it looked like he hadn't been paid at all that month so we received a very large amount and then the next month he had two wages in that assessment period and we got nothing. Just had to put the extra we received aside. Aside from that it has been fine for us.

You can choose your dates. It is recommended not to apply close to the date you get paid.

What if it just a minimum wage, zero hour contracts? Sometimes I wonder if it is worth working extra to see you get less UC. I am tempted actually at the minute not to work extra and spend time with my kids instead. 🤷

I would love it if everyone did this (it's not actually possible but it would be great if it were).

I wonder how long the average middle-class MNetter would still think it was a good idea for everyone to get a better job once there were no childminders, nurses, care workers, teaching assistants, cleaners, hairdressers, retail staff, etc left?

Many of us can budget, can save a little. Maybe I should spend it on a night out, a holiday?

My employer has reported everything properly - the problem is that Universal Credit have accounted for two separate wages, paid a month apart, in the same assessment period - so essentially they are saying I have earned double - I wish!

I haven't received any extra in previous months to put aside.

I first claimed UC years ago, I didn't "choose" my dates, I claimed right away because I had to. It has only been a problem since I changed jobs from one that paid calendar monthly to one that pays on different dates each month.

I can imagine it’s frustrating for you but I think you are projecting your anger in the wrong directions.

You are expecting a massive government organisation like UC to be sensitive to your pay periods - when in reality it would make more sense for your much smaller employer who should be caring about your needs to delay your April pay so it fits in with UC.

I think people also forget that UC payments exist because others work to pay taxes to go to UC to top up UC recipients income.

You are a single mother who is making the effort to work and be topped up by UC rather than choose the easy option of living entirely on UC - quite frankly you should be admired. But you are being rude and venting at posters so you’re giving out anger and getting it back.

I think the question for you to ask posters to help with is does anyone have any experience in getting their employer to pay in a schedule that does not affect UC payments. Sort your employer - curb your anger at strangers and let them help you because your situation deserves sympathy but you won’t get it if you continue with your sharp tongue.

The system is absolutely shite. I’m a self employed single parent on UC. Hope you get it sorted soon OP, it’s so stressful.

my thoughts as well

Absolutely daft that your workplace pays you on different dates. The only system that ever works is paying on the same date every month for this exact reason. Don't blame universal credit. You say yourself that you never had an issue before when you worked monthly.

Why don't they pay the same date each month? That is their fault. I get paid four weekly so obviously have the issue of two wages in my assessment period. Why don't you chat to the employer? For once it is not UC at fault especially as you had no issues before with it.

Not to derail the thread, but a quick question if anyone can answer please regarding universal credit. I work part time minimum wage (20 hours), I'm single, so only one wage coming in, but I'm not entitled to any extra help according to an online benefits calculator.

No extra hours available currently in my job, and, as yet, I've not been able to find extra employment (not sure if it's to do with my age, mid 50's). I don't have a mortgage however, as my house is owned.

Does this sound about right me not being entitled to a top up?

@Lovinglife57 To be honest you can't even read and understand a simple thread -_-

It's not difficult

My employer is a massive, govenrment funded organisation - one of the biggest employers in the country. They will not change the date they pay me.

I haven't forgotten that people pay taxes - I pay them too.

I've vented at posters who came at me with rubbish like "get a better job" and told me off for swearing, both of which were entirely unhelpful.

I haven't been rude or angry towards anyone who has tried to help - either on here or towards anyone who works for UC.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-information-for-employers#employers-your-responsibilities

Maybe send this link to your company's payroll and explain that the way they're paying you is causing you undue financial hardship and seriously impacting your mental health.

"Employers: your responsibilities

Employers do not need to know if their employees are on Universal Credit, but claimants can tell their employer if they wish.

You do not need to tell DWP about any employees who are getting Universal Credit.

If you are a PAYE (Pay As You Earn) employer, you must:

give the claimant’s PAYE information (their ‘Full Payment Submission’ (FPS)) to HMRC on or before the day they’re due to be paid
enter the usual date that you pay your employees on your FPS, even if you pay them on a different date because their normal date falls a non-banking day, for example a weekend or a bank holiday

Incorrect or late information could mean claimants will not receive the Universal Credit they are expecting.

DWP will then get the claimant’s work status and automatically work out what Universal Credit they’re entitled to based on the information you’ve already given to HMRC.

If you are not a PAYE employer, it is the claimant’s responsibility to report their pay to Universal Credit each month."

@Northernlights1234 probably as other than the £70 a week part, the only other parts are housing element which you don't qualify for or money for young children which I'm guessing you don't have OR sickness elements.

The £70ish a week bit is for low income or unemployed and on 20 hours I imagine you just about go over it

If your employer pays 4 weekly, then you don't get paid the same date each month either?

They pay on the last Friday of the month. I have said several times now that I work for a large, public organisation. They employ tens of thousands of people. They will not change my pay date, they have reported it correctly.

Yes but it is only that month when I get two wages that is causes a zero award. We just try to keep some aside. The rest of the year it isnt an issue as it sounds like yours is?

The UC system does seem worse than tax credits.

When I applied I don't recall any warnings about when to time an application or that there would be no tax credits for 5 weeks. Luckily I knew all this and timed it accordingly but many people don't and they end up in debt due to it. I overheard some vulnerable people in the job centre who had no idea of the new system.

I like the fact that they go by your wages each month and you get a rough idea what you are getting. Tax credits nearly everyone owes money to them.

You can get an advance when you apply.