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Original poster

Universal credits

57 replies

Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 02:58

I can't sleep,my universal credit payment due on Friday,is way lower than normal. Yeah,I can ring them in the morning,but they're not going to change this. I accept it,because I know they can do what they like,but wondering is anybody else on here experiencing the same problem? Or shine a light on why?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:05

And I've not been sanctioned,nor any change of circumstances,and when I ask to speak to someone whom I can complain to,they reply always 'ask for mandatory reconsideration' in writing! Not helpful when a desicion can take up to 30 days. I don't want to waste my time and energy on them,but how can they simply play God with people's lives

OP posts:
Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:08

I've not posted a thread before,so not sure if anyone can even see this! Cheers,hope to hear from someone,if ye can see this!

OP posts:
shatteredandfedup · 02/01/2018 03:12

Yes this is visable!

I'd bump it in the morning if I were you. If you don't get any responses, repost somewhere with ore traffic - like Chat maybe.

Money Saving Forum are good for this kind of question too I think.

Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:17

Cheers :) how do I go onto chat? I'm researched out,money forum,cab,etc...I just want to know how I can challenge they're ridiculous decisions,directly,and why they're doing it,how they can,anyone in similar position

OP posts:
Battleax · 02/01/2018 03:24

This is Chat;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat

Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:25

Okay thanks very much,New to this

OP posts:
Battleax · 02/01/2018 03:26

I hope someone can give you some helpful advice. It sounds horrible Flowers

Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:31

Need to figure out how to use it first :/ I'm terrible at technology. Thank you :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:34

Sorry,do I need to try join a conversation relating to this,yeah?

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 02/01/2018 03:38

You should probably start your own thread - the Chat topic was suggested as it's one of the busier sections.

Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:40

Oh I thought this was my own thread? Geez,sorry,I'm hopeless at these things

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 02/01/2018 03:42

Yes, this is your own thread but it's in the topic of Money Matters which doesn't get as many people reading it as the Chat section does. The suggestion was to start another thread in the Chat section where you'll hopefully get many more responses. Particularly if you post in the morning rather than at night.

Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:45

Okay,I shall give another attempt in the morning. Thanks for the advice :)

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 02/01/2018 03:49

Hope you get some useful advice, sorry I have nothing to help you with your actual issue. It must be terrible to be at the whim of bureaucrats like this.

Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 03:53

I have no intentions of letting them interfere with my life anymore than they already do,but I do intend on them giving straight up answers,on how they justify this....Thanks for your help,take care

OP posts:
Mc180768 · 02/01/2018 10:39

Hi OP,

On your statement detailing your payment, your UC should detail any 3rd party deductions.

If you have rent arrears for example, UC (and I disagree with this) can take 20% of the arrears out of your standard allowance.

Are you online for your UC? If so, you can send a journal message in your journal under 'Payment'

Your work coach should then send to his/her case manager.

If the payment has put you in extreme hardship you can apply for any 3rd party deductions to be reduced from 20% to 10%.

wheresmyphone · 02/01/2018 10:46

Call your local CItizens Advice. In some areas they have drop in sessions. Take all your paperwork with you or have it all to hand when you call.

SingaSong12 · 02/01/2018 15:17

OP I volunteer with citizens advice. Do you manage your account online - as PP says you can see the breakdown of payment. If you believe that a decision is wrong it is important to challenge. Although a reconsideration may or may not change and can take time the decision opens the right to independent appeal to a tribunal.

wowbutter · 02/01/2018 15:21

Do you work and claim UC to top it up?

The reason I ask is I am sure I read somewhere that months with an extra Friday, so five, not four, would result in a lower payment. I'm not entirely sure why, in my defence I'm pregnant and not sleeping so understanding is limited. But, that could be the reason?

I am salaried, so having the extra Friday would make no difference to my wage, but those paid daily or weekly, it does, hence the change. Or something like that?

shatteredandfedup · 02/01/2018 16:11

Yes that's right - UC goes down for months with 5 weeks in them. It's a stupid system.

If you get UC monthly in arrears then this must be the December payment? December had 5 weeks this year, It's likely this is the issue.

There was a thread about this recently, I'll see if I can find it.

shatteredandfedup · 02/01/2018 16:15

It shouldn't affect you if you get paid monthly but if you get paid weekly there are several months you'll get paid less UC.

Vitalogy · 02/01/2018 17:07

Hope you managed to get through to someone today OP. I know this is stressful but you really have to keep at them. They've made the system like this to deter people from challenging it by trying to wear them down. Best of luck.

Original poster
Bexter801 · 02/01/2018 18:24

Cheers so much for all your responses :) oh I hound them! Been on the phone to them,saying the amount they're taking off is unjustified,and that I wanted it to be sorted before my payment,not after. And that I would like clarification from them on my online journal(which I have),they were going to have an answer for me by Thursday,(payment due Friday)so hopefully all going well they won't take the ridiculous amount they are trying to. I don't work and I phoned to get payments reduced,but the phone number for reducing them,said its too late,until my payment next month,however I informed uc of this,and they said they will inform my case manager. So hopefully constant hounding from me,will have a happy ending

OP posts:
Vitalogy · 02/01/2018 18:59

Fingers crossed for Friday.

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