Universal credit rate changes

[Justwondering605]

Hi,

Does anyone know what happens re the UC rate changes when they happen part way through an assessment period? Do you get a pro-rata payment or (like other changes) do they backdate the entire period? Or does it not count at all until the following period?

For example my assessment period is the 17th March to 16th April, the rates changed on the 12th April but I have received my statement and the rates are the same as on my last one. I expected there to be at least some pro-rata extra amount for the 4 days between the change on the 12th and the end of the period. If it doesn't count at all when there has been some time before the change surely this could massively effect someone who has an assessment period of 11th-10th.

Thanks in advance.

There's no pro rata amount. You will receive the new rates form your next payment.

The increases this year are really not massive amounts.

Yeah, they're not massive but I have multiple elements due to being a carer for my disabled child so it does all add up. In that case it does mean that someone with a period of 11th-10th basically misses out on a full month of the higher rates? Weird, I'd think they could definitely claim they'd been disadvantaged just by the dates their assessment period falls in that cases Thanks anyway :)

I'm sure it will work the other way in September when the standard element goes down by £80 due to the covid increase ending. It will from a certain date and people will continue to get the higher rate until the end of their assessment period.

@Babyroobs

I'm sure it will work the other way in September when the standard element goes down by £80 due to the covid increase ending. It will from a certain date and people will continue to get the higher rate until the end of their assessment period.

And? That's still not fine...

Everyone's assessment period dates are different, it would be a huge logistical nightmare to pro rata the extra rates for everyone. The DWP have had millions of new Uc claims they have tried to deal with throughout the pandemic and diverting staff to do as you wish for the sake of a few extra pounds would just create more waiting and misery for others with new claims pending or problems to be sorted.

@Justwondering605

Yeah, they're not massive but I have multiple elements due to being a carer for my disabled child so it does all add up. In that case it does mean that someone with a period of 11th-10th basically misses out on a full month of the higher rates? Weird, I'd think they could definitely claim they'd been disadvantaged just by the dates their assessment period falls in that cases Thanks anyway :)

Even multiple elements would work out to probably less than £20. carers element has gone up by £1 a month and child element by £1.20 a month.

Yeah, I could really do with the 'less than £20' unfortunately. Glad so many people on UC are simultaneously on a low enough income to claim yet well off enough to apparently do without it

Take care

@Justwondering605

Yeah, I could really do with the 'less than £20' unfortunately. Glad so many people on UC are simultaneously on a low enough income to claim yet well off enough to apparently do without it

Take care

Honestly - people have had an extra £1000 Uc over the last year with the uplift, surely a few pounds isn't going to make much of a difference?? pro rata it would likely work out to less than a tenner !