Universal credit

[Mani11]

Hi,
Please help me I am really upset I have been asked to provide documents it took now more than 3 month still clame review hasn’t been completed. I am a single mum with my children in universal credit. if children’s father which is not living with us (is not in benefits) pays electric and water bills and occasionally transfers money to my bank account for birthdays or cloths etc. does it makes a problem? I am new in universal credit and not sure about it.
Thank you

Transferring money is not a problem. He can transfer as much as he wants, it doesn’t matter. That’s allowed. Child maintenance is allowed but also money gifted is allowed from family, so that’s is absolutely fine.

Him paying your bills for you might be an issue. You need to ask UV advice about that.

Why is he paying your water and electric bills? These are your responsibility and him paying suggests he is part of your household. You might be questioned about this.

They didn’t say anything so far but haven't close my clam review yet and didn’t even say anything and I am just waiting after 3 month being in process

Is the children’s father your partner, if so even if he doesn’t live with you he needs to be on the claim. If he isn’t your partner anymore and it’s in lieu of child support then there’s no problem

Because I am part time working and under debt already for my deposit for the property I rented and he said he will do bills (bills are on my name and he has his own life and place) instead of more finance help for kids. Not fair leaving a women with two young children without any family to support. But He stopped all child maintenance(including bills) right before they sent request to review my clam. He said he won’t pay as he believes all money he transfer I need to buy things for kids and provide receipts. But I couldn’t as I need it for other costs. Now I am paying bills but struggling and need to move somewhere cheaper and this is also hard with current situation!

We separated and he has his own life and property and not in any benefit.

Does he have his own home that he's paying council tax and other bills for and you can prove? My friend had to do similar as her ex was paying her gas bill when she was reviewed but it was easily resolved by providing proof he lived elsewhere.

That’s not true. A person can make a single claim even if in a relationship and share children. They simply have to live apart and pay council tax etc on each property individually

You can even claim as single if you live in the same house but are separated. Bit more proof you have to show but not much.

He pays his council tax and lives comfortably, without worry. Meanwhile, I’m the one struggling. Even the little support I receive comes with constant stress. They can clearly see I have no bank account, no savings, no spare cash—I’m always on edge just waiting for my income.
I’m dealing with mental health issues, but I’m scared to even go to the GP and talk about it because I worry it might affect my ability to stay with my kids. With all this pressure, I still try to stay calm, kind, and strong so I don’t impact my child’s mental health.
But honestly, it’s really breaking

And off course his bills etc

@Mani11 have you had the interview yet? Maybe worth updating your journal asking for an update and advising them it's making you stressed. Please go to your GP if you're struggling with your mental health. Asking for help will not result in you not being there for your children.

I had a phone call with them, but it’s been 3 weeks now and I haven’t heard anything back since, which is making me more anxious.
I did contact my GP once when I first separated, and they prescribed tablets, but when I looked them up they seemed to cause very deep sleep. That made me worried in case something happened with my kids and I wouldn’t wake up, so I didn’t feel comfortable taking them.
My mental health isn’t something new either — it’s been ongoing for many years because of difficult family circumstances I’ve been dealing with for most of my life.
I understand what you’re saying about getting help, I’m just really scared and trying to manage everything the best I can for my children
Thank you for your support

Op I just came on here to make you aware that local councils are currently opening up crisis and resilience funds which offer one off help to households that have had a sudden drop in income or a shock to finances due to seperation/ illness/ sudden job loss etc. It may be worth contacting your local council or search their website to see if you may qualify for a one off payment to help with debts/ bills etc in view of your recent seperation.

Thank you Pickledonion1999

You can get this hurried by going in to your local housing office. Make sure you take copies of the documents needed and they will go through them then and there and approve your claim

Thank you Shoemadlady

A joint claim requires a single household. If you live apart there are two households and no joint claim.

Under Universal Credit only items listed in the regulations count as either income or earnings.

Him paying bills won't be a problem.

Is this a new claim or a review of an ongoing claim for which you have already had monthly payments OP?

He is not in benefits. He has his property and paying all his council tax service charge, bills and etc. we are separated and I live separate with kids.

It is a review. I had payments and still having them but silence of not updating anything in journal even though we had phone call !
I don’t know if it’s because of Easter holidays!? Last contact was 20th March and nothing after that

Nothing to worry about at all then but spouses/partners living as two households cannot be a joint claim.

Reviews are being rolled out to all UC claimants on a cycle of every 18 months or so.

They're not looking at spending, whether claimants are helped out by exes, parents etc. or if you've put a few bit/bobs in Vinted or Ebay* etc.

The focus is on looking for undeclared earnings and any irregularities with capital.

*If there are multiple and regular transactions in those places that might suggest you're carrying stock and selling it for gain that might pique their interest.

Thank you; Bromptotoo

Reviews are currently experiencing delays, some between the first call and the follow up. All you need to do is ensure that you declare all bank accounts bearing your name, this includes any PayPal, savings, current, credit union accounts and be prepared to upload (or submit at the job centre) up to 4 months accounts for these. They will ask questions on the second call about some transactions but usually no more than 5 or 6. They are looking to ensure there is no income or savings they are unaware of that may affect your entitlement. You will be able to explain any maintenance arrangements regarding costs for your child/ren.

Thank you, LilyBunch25

What's a local housing office?