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Original poster

Forced onto Universal Credit today

10 replies

TeslaGirls · 26/04/2019 17:10

Due to my existing housing benefit claim being stopped (failed to respond to one of the 90 or so recent letters they have sent out over the past 3 both since my PIP renewal failed) I have had to move on to UC, meanings have lost the transitional protection I would have ever had when I was eventually migrated over. I have also lost a fairly significant amount of weekly income.

What is really worrying me though is that as this was completely out of the blue (I've been rather unwell, in and out of hospital so im outside the appeal timescale) I have literally no back up savings. I have applied for an advance, which I'll get next week, but nothing (other than carers allowance and CB) for the following 5 weeks. Food and essentials I think I can manage, but it does mean I can't pay my rent. It is socially housing and their money advice worker is helping me through it all and assures me my tenancy is safe, but I'm completely overwhelmed by everything that has happened today, and bricking it over how I'm going to manage both short term and long term.

NO idea what point of this thread is, other than to off load to try and calm down a little Blush

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 26/04/2019 18:16

The advance can be used to pay rent. They usually loan you an amount equivalent to what they expect you will get for your monthly payment.

BastianBux · 26/04/2019 18:23

I would maybe try and use the advance to pay some rent, but not all of it? Assuming after the 5 weeks it will be backdated, so the landlord won't have missed out. If it takes longer.... Hope you have a sympathetic landlord and you can explain the rent will be late BUT it is coming?

RestingButchFace · 26/04/2019 18:27

Bastian sadly not backdated the advance is taken back out of future monthly payments.

ivykaty44 · 26/04/2019 18:52

The first week of UC is unpaid

Did you already have the two week run on with HB?

Original poster
TeslaGirls · 26/04/2019 20:34

Ivy I have no idea what has happened re HB. The money advice worker had me on a conference call with HB benefit guy and he disagreed strongly with him, but there's nothing to be done apparently.

I was thinking of paying some rent with the advance, but I'm worried over being left with no money for weeks - they completely messed up DD's claim (in her appointee) and it was 10 weeks before she received anything.

To the pp who said the housing element is backdated - it isn't. Meaning there is now 5 weeks rent owing at the least - or there will be by the time my first payment comes through. I understand the process, and had already been advised to pay £5-10 a week over the next few month to build up a positive balance prior to being migrated over next year, but clearly that won't happen now.

It'll be fine once it's all sorted and in payment - it's just been a very overwhelming day trying to sort it all out, when I already am stressed to bits over my physical health. I think I'm anxious that my mental health will also nosedive.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 26/04/2019 20:41

You need to make sure that you get the 2 week run on with HB as you are entitled to it, it maybe that you’ve already had it. But if you hb stopped as soon as the hb realised your pip had changed then make sure you go back and get what’s owed

Original poster
TeslaGirls · 26/04/2019 21:51

Ivy the advice worker was arguing that my HB shouldn't have stopped just because my PIP did, as I am still a carer in receipt of IS. The letter I missed was one asking for DDs proof of income - which I already had told them she is a full time student. So they've stopped my claim for me not providing them with info they already had. I know that I'm at fault here, but I was getting 3-4 letters a week from them at one point, all with different information on. Between caring for DD and my own health issues, it all just got too much. Blush

I'll ask about the 2 week run on thank you Flowers

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 26/04/2019 22:07

What date was your hb cancelled?

BastianBux · 28/04/2019 09:44

sadly not backdated the advance is taken back out of future monthly payments.

Yes but your housing payments should date back to when you made the claim/your HB stopped, because by your tenancy you are still liable. So I am guessing the backdating of rent payments would only work if you didn't claim the advance?

rebail · 30/04/2019 00:06

I'm not sure whether you've claimed UC yet but you can definitely get your HB reinstated (even if it's just to when you claimed UC). Just make sure that you provide your income details for the period in question in writing - even if you're beyond one month. If they refuse then you can go to tribunal. In my experience, as long as you prove your income, they're happy.

Good luck :)

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