Universal credit issue

[jaggyjaggy]

Can anyone help please.

Split up from my husband recently, its amicable and neither of us can afford to move out (believe me that is preferable!) we have two kids, 3 and 7. We both work but we have always claimed a UC top up.

So after finally deciding to split we notified UC and our old claim turned into my husbands own single claim and I had to make a fresh single claim of my own. We put a child on each of our claims as this seemed fairest way, as I tend to do most stuff for the 3yo and he does more for the 7yo.

We sent all evidence UC asked for, tenancy agreement showing we pay half rent each etc. Was supposed to receive a payment on 14th april for around £1350 (rent is covered, childcare, standard allowance, child allowance) but instead received £950. Ex has said he received nothing.

We have tried calling, leaving messages but no one will help they just say “under review please wait”

Then last week received a notification to say my claim has been put on hold but no mention of why or what I need to do or any details. Since then all my messages have been ignored.

Yesterday I called to escalate this and was told it would be referred to a case manager who would be in touch before 6pm today (friday) nothing as yet.

Am I being unreasonable here? I refuse to believe this is an unusual situation with housing crisis that we need to stay in the same property for a few months.

I am extremely stressed out and I am running low on food and I haven’t even paid my rent yet which is due on Monday!

Any help much appreciated.

I assumed that poster meant the situation now. It's common to have one full time worker, one part timer and the UC on top but for you both to be eligible in your own right they were asking if you were both part time.

But no one has told me it's gone to a decision maker?
No one has told me anything at all!

No

Ok so my previous questions still stand, are you subject to the minimum income floor and what's the tenancy agreement situation?

I don't know to be honest? I wasn't before as it's a new business and they haven't found me gainfully self employed as yet.
The tenancy agreement we are both on and required to pay £425 each.

How new?

If it's one tenancy agreement they may be looking into that. You're saying to them you're financially independent from your ex husband but still on a joint tenancy? Albeit with a clause to say you owe a specific amount each? That's unusual in situations other than house shares.

I started it in August 2023. I do also have a child that's just turned 3 so not sure if that affects it.

Maybe that's it then. In no way am I questioning WTF are they investigating for, I'm questioning the complete lack of communication. They've not even said a decision maker needs to look at it.

Who knows, but as others have said you're looking at a 5 week wait as standard before hearing anything to be honest.

Also it’s not comparable to your employer underpaying you by £500, you have earned that money so there is no dispute over how much you should are entitled to.

You don’t know how much you are entitled to, it’s a new claim, UC takes time.

Hi
This claim will certainly need to be looked at by a decision maker as regrettably a number of people do consciously decide to claim as single parents rather than a couple as it makes them better off. I know this doesn't help ur situation at the moment but there is a need to ensure claims are as accurate as can be.

sweet Jesus a TOP UP of £1350… that is more than I earn a month working 3 days a week! no wonder the country is fucked.

Agree.

Cool story.

I’m afraid I agree with pps. If you want free money you need to jump through hoops. And you should have worked out how to pay for it all yourselves rather than expecting me (the tax payer) to pay up for your decisions. Sorry.

"free money"

You realise we pay tax too right?

Can I suggest that (a) you ask at a benefits advice centre, because they are more likely to be able to assist than anyone here; and (b) you can hardly be surpised that people on this site will comment adversely on benefits; and (c) your responses aren't helping your situation. I'm sorry that you are struggling, but you should have looked into all this before you went with new claims because it is fairly obvious that the split is going to look "engineered" to the DWP - if you have two children and you have split them across claims, then your living costs are effectively no different than previously, so they are bound to be suspicious as that would be a highly unusual position going forward.

Speak to your landlord before the rent is due. And you may be able to get help from a local foodbank if you cannot afford food.

With all due respect your exdh pays tax on less than 4k per year on that wage! Hardly a major contribution.

Thank you. And yes, it is free money.

@jaggyjaggy fwiw I went through a divorce over the last two years, I saved up and moved out to a rented house. I’m now saving up to add to my settlement amount to buy a place. It’s doable if you at least try.

Surely you aren’t going to be approved for 2 single claims therefore receiving more money while you are all still living together under the same circumstances financially?

Can you not work more hours? It’s a luxury working part time when you’re a single parent…

You’ve got to be joking. On £850 and £1350 neither of you are paying even a quarter of as much in tax as your claiming, so yes, it is free money for you.

Thanks for the genuine advice I received but I didn't come for a debate about the benefits system so now checking out to save my sanity.

You didn’t come for a debate, but please don’t declare that you don’t get free money and you pay taxes…when this is not the case. It is free money and you pay piss all in tax! Sorry now but that’s what has people annoyed!

Do you earn £100 000/year?
Very simple:
Husband £2500
Wife £1200
They'll receive around £800 UC top up with Childcare bill off £1000 and rent £1500 in London.