Universal credit

[Wellthatwassilly]

I just applied for universal credit tonight and also an advance. Within 2 minutes of applying for the advance it was 'approved' does this mean our uc application os successful? This seems to good to be true. The advance was approved so quickly!

As far as I know it isn't approved until you receive a statement with the breakdown of what you will be receiving. Was it your identity that was approved perhaps? But perhaps they have fast-tracked advance payments due to the extreme circumstances people are in at the moment.

No it was definately the advance that was approved. Our identity was also approved

I applied for universal credit in November. As I was able to confirm my identity online it was approved really quickly. Never needed to use benefits before, my eldest is ten. So far I think it's a secent system. I got a call the following day to confirm how much I'd recieve/ how to ask for an advance.

Aiming to go self employed, I've had a monthly chat with an advisor who offers support and access to resources. I've heard lots of bad stuff about universal credit but to me it's been fine. Advisor told me sanctions were cancelled till March but that was back in early December so may be extended.

@womaninatightspot they called you the day after you applied to tell you how much you would receive? That is quick! Hopefully they do the same with me. It says i will find out on the 10th of feb about payments

They can give you a referral to the National Careers Advisory service. Useful if you want a second opinion on your CV and a list of job websites, online recruitment fairs etc.

Yes if you can do the verification online rather than having to wait for a phone call from DWP they will/ can offer an advance straight away. The amount of the advance is usually based on what you might get for your first months payment although of course they wont know what deductions you will have for wages until the last day of your first assessment period.

Bear in mind the advance is usually paid back over 12 months so the deductions for repayments will reduce your monthly payment, I'm sure you would be told that before applying though so will already be aware.

yup next day I recieved a n email telling me I had a note in my journal that they would call. On the 4th of December it confirmed how much I'd recieve and paid on the 8th.

It says i wont find out what we will receive until the 10th feb, payment on the 14th. Ive done a few of the benefit calculators and the advance offered was a couple of hundred more than what the calculators suggest we'll get

@Wellthatwassilly

It says i wont find out what we will receive until the 10th feb, payment on the 14th. Ive done a few of the benefit calculators and the advance offered was a couple of hundred more than what the calculators suggest we'll get

UC is made up of whatever elements you are entitled to- standard couples element if one of you is over 25 is £594 for now, eldest child is £281.25 ( as long as they were born before April 2017 ) and subsequent children £235.83. Rent element if you rent will be based on local housing allowance for your area if private rented. Then your total Uc is reduced by earnings. If you have kids then first £292 ( if you claim the rent element ) of earnings is disregarded before wages reduce your total UC by 63p for each pound earned. I can do you a rough calculation if you give me basic details.

Sorry I should also have added that if you have a mortgage so don't claim the rent element the first £512 of earnings is disregarded.

What info do you need @Babyroobs

Its a joint claim, 4 kids, 1 disabled and receives high rate care dla, i doubt we would get any help with rent as my partner earns a decent wage @babyroobs

@Wellthatwassilly

Its a joint claim, 4 kids, 1 disabled and receives high rate care dla, i doubt we would get any help with rent as my partner earns a decent wage *@babyroobs*

If you rent then you get a rent element included in your total UC. Then earnings reduce the whole award. The disabled child element for high rate care is high . Did you put yourself down as a carer on the application or do you get carers allowance? You can pm me is you want. Would need to know if all the children were born before April 2017, how much rent is and whether private, whether you get carers element and your husbands net earnings and how frequently he is paid.

@Babyroobs i have pm'd you (i think)