Help, does anyone work for UC and know the process?

[40weeksmummy]

Hello everyone,
Very long story. We were 4 tenants (2 couples), renting house from private landlord. One couple moved out so we basically left with double rent. Yes, since beginning of April I'm trying to find something cheaper every single day, however- we live in East London and with our salaries +2kids it looks impossible.
I reported all changes to UC, uploaded all evidence- updated tenancy agreement, bills, bank statements, etc. It's almost 2 months I can't get any answer on my journal, every single call I'm told to wait. I don't understand where is the problem? I uploaded every single document they asked. I was not paid for May as agent removed our housing costs completely.
Last week I received first message in 2 months saying "thank you for uploaded documents ".
Does anyone know what happens after it? If they accepted (or not)- at least they should let me know.
It looks I won't be paid again because there are no housing costs on our claim.....

Advice sector worker rather than UC employee.

The Housing Costs would need to be verified by a Decision Maker. That should not be a long process but there are parts of the country where this is taking an unconscionable amount of time.

Keep chasing, complain and push>shove involve your MP.

Thank you for your reply. I understand they are busy and it takes time, but two months... The worst thing it's impossible to push as advisors on the phone can't do anything and my journal messages are not replied.

Have you tried to find new tenants?

Ohh yes, if only we could speak to DM!

If you speak to an advice agency such as CAB they may have access to a staff member at the Job Centre, usually referred to as a Partnership Manager,who can shift blockages.

Otherwise, as above, an MP's letter is usually pretty effective.

There is no time frame for a decision maker. They can take months & months, longest I’ve seen is 7 months which is insane.
write to your MP - they can get it pushed to the top.

Landlord said that we are taking the whole house or we are moving out. We are not allowed to have any tenants. Unfortunately, we don't have any other solution. Me, and my husband both work, however renting in London is very expensive.

Also, we already claiming UC more than a year, I had issues with childcare costs, etc when had to upload lots of documents. However, never experienced this- agent just replied "thank you " and all files come as 'deleted'. Usually if I uploaded something in the past, it gets approved or rejected straight after someone checks them....

I heard if Decision maker is on sick leave, holidays, etc it can take months too. It was Easter Holidays, school holidays next week, I don't think they'll do it 😕

Due to lack of staff is a big problem . As the information has gone or been uploaded it will go to a decision maker to be sorted . Should not be long now .In general sorry about the situation.