UC change of circumstance not prorated

[Gahness]

DC has been really struggling recently and we finally made the decision to remove her from college. Not an ideal situation but the self harming, morning struggles and suicide attempts were just becoming too much. I notified Universal Credit immediately and as it was 2 days before the end of the assessment period I've been awarded £0 for her this month.

I'm a carer for her sibling and not working, although looking for work, at the moment so being £315 down this month is just massive. I have made a claim for her but that will not come in for 5 weeks. 9 weeks with just my UC to see us through is the best case scenario.

If I'd known I could have waited 2 days. I really hope I get one of the jobs I've applied for, this is no way to live a life.

I hope others read this and don't make the same mistake.

I should add she's over 18 so now she isn't in education her father no longer has to pay child support so when she'll need it the most, she'll get nothing from him again.

As she's over 18 she can't be on your claim if she's not in education, I know the timing is poor but she will get it in her own right and be assessed as fit to work. If she's not at college can she look for work, even pt? A couple of shifts is more than 18 year old uc rate.

You'll also loose child benefit, you have to tell them she's no longer in education. I don't want to getting into trouble

It’s crap they don’t prorate things. I had the same issue when my partner moved in. They need need understand that life doesn’t fit tidily into 4 week UC blocks!

So she's in Full Time Education (FTE) studying A levels or similar?

While that's the case she's a Qualifying Young Person and can be on your claim.

Once she leaves FTE she can no longer be on your claim.

Universal Credit is designed around a concept of clear red lines. One of those is that if something changes in an Assessment Period (AP) it applies for the whole of that AP.

Based on what you say about self harm etc can she get a fit note to say she is not able to do/seek work? On that basis she should be able to claim UC for herself.

Is that possible?

We've asked for a fit to work note, that shouldn't be a problem due to her mental health. I also notified Child Benefit who'll notify the CMS. She's looking for work and wants to work but I'm not sure how well she'll do. It is what it is.

@PilgorTheGoat I wish I'd known. She wasn't actually removed from the register at the college until after the assessment period. You live and learn. If the change would lead to more money it doesn't apply until the next month, if it leads to less than it's for the whole previous month. I thought I'd looked into everything before making the decision, I was wrong.

Could she try to get a job to get her out the house and give her something to do with her days?

If she gets out of the house and into a little job even part time it might make it less likely she gets depressed.