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Does anyone know what DWP PSCS refers to?
If you've ever tried to locate the meaning of codes used by the government on bank statements and coupled that with a slow postal service then you may understand my raising this question. It's sort of frustrating getting a payment into an account and not knowing what it is and whether it should be sent back or not! I sadly…
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Benefit overpayment 7 years ago
Hi all, Got a question regarding a supposed benefit overpayment from the council. It states I've been overpaid benefits in April 2018. The claim is for the amount of £315 or so. I read somewhere that statute barred might be applicable here as this is literally the first letter I've received from the council. Can anyone…
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ES A to State Pension/Pension Credit
Good Morning and Best Wishes for 2026! I have a couple of concerns about my change to State Pension and Pension Credit this coming February. I currently receive ESA in support group and PIP enhanced mobility and standard care. I live alone. I will receive full SP from 25th February ( my first payment) and the on-line…
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Change Child Benefit Claimant
Hi all, What is the correct process for me to end my claim for child benefit, and for my wife to be the claimant instead? Do I have to end my claim first and then she makes a new claim? Can it be done online or do we have to call them? The reason I'm doing this is because she doesn't work and therefore has been losing out…
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Going back to work…
Been off work now 11 months after quite nasty stroke, was awarded pip & lwrca which were a god send as sick pay from work was minimal, I’m getting bit better in some areas now and although I’m not ready yet to work got me wondering on the process, going straight back seems very daunting I dont think could do half the…
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Cold weather payment if wife works 4 hours a month?
We are on UC and i get the disability part of it but my wife works 4 hours a month getting about £55 a month from wages. So does that mean we will not get the Cold weather payments due to her working? When i was on ESA she was doing the same work and hours but we still got the cold weather payment. there has been nothing…
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Non means tested disability benefits - changes from Autumn 2026?
Dear Forum, Is anyone aware of any non means tested disability benefits becoming means tested from the Governments welfare review Autumn 2026? Appreciate that the Government can decide to change the eligibility at any time but just wondered if in the forthcoming review these changes are planned? Thank you in advance.
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Guide: How to make PIP contact you with email only - no letters, no calls, no face-to-face
I have just successfully got the DWP to promise that they will contact me by email only. That means no letters, no phonecalls, and no face-to-face assessments. If your disabilities mean that you can't take phonecalls or have any other difficulties with the communication PIP usually uses, email the address…
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Universal Credit & Deprivation of Capital (Mortgage)
I just want to find out if anyone has experiences of using redundancy money to pay off all or part of a mortgage and whether that is allowed, and then still being able to claim benefits? Everywhere I read online the answer appears to be that this is not considered a deprivation of capital, but at my first UC meeting…
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UC & Savings and reclaiming when still paying back overpayment
Hi there, We claimed universal credit as a couple from sometime in 2023 to April (ish) this year, 2025. We had to stop claiming as my father gave us a large sum of money towards a house deposit which took us well over the £16,000 threshold for savings. We only realized we had broken the rules a couple of months after he…
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Child Benefit, NI Credits & eBay Side Hustle – Advice Needed
Dear all I’m trying to make sure we’re doing things correctly with tax and benefits. My wife claims Child Benefit for NI credits (child under 12), and I’m a high-rate taxpayer so the High Income Child Benefit Charge applies to me. She’s recently started an eBay side hustle: * Gross income: ~£12,000 this tax year * Interest…
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Universal Credit budgeting advance
I went on to universal credit early last year and whilst waiting on my first payment I was asked if I wanted to get a loan to keep me going until my first universal credit payment then I could. I now only have £20 left to pay, and was wondering if I could pay that early then apply for a budgeting advance straight away? I…
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UC and disregarded money
Hello I am moving from ESA to UC and have a question about disregarded money. When DWP ask for details of bank accounts, do I also have to give details of these two bank accounts where the money is disregarded for benefit purposes. 1. Personal injury trust fund, set up by solicitor, I cannot access without trustee…
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Warm Home Discount 2025/2026, check whos name is on your electricity bill.
The qualifying rules for the 2025 Warm Home Discount have changed from the 2024 rules- the property size/age rules have been scrapped so more will qualify this year than last year. The Government have this week issued a Press Release reminding people in receipt of Income Related (means tested) benefits to check that they…
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DWP old overpayment and state pension
Hi folks In a nutshell, I have an DWP Income support overpayment from several years ago. I have been unable to afford to repay the amount, but understand they are able to take any overpayment from State pension when you are due to receive it, is this correct? and generally do they take a large amount from the pension? I…
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Cold Weather Payments Checker
Hello, I have just checked my postcode & I am going to get a £25 cold weather payment. Put your postcode in & see if you will be too: https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk/search-results.php
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PIP Reassessment Time Scales
Hello, I was awarded PIP from 2021 until 2027 review after 17th March 2026. Is this still a realistic time scale? If not how long should I leave it before contacting them because I know that with PIP it does stop if you haven't been reassessed or are going through the reassessment process. Thank You
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Automatic Conversion of Legacy CB ESA to NS ESA.
'Old Style' CB ESA apparently no longer exists and existing awards have already been converted to 'New Style' ESA.Whilst most people who had Legacy 'CB Only' ESA will not really notice the difference what it does mean is that if their circumstances change then they can now no longer get any IR ESA (the premiums) added to…
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Universal credit and side hustle
Hi, I’m finding it difficult to find the answers so hoping someone can help here ! My husband and I ( with 3 kids) both work but receive UC to top up our income. I have a hobby/ passion which I would like to turn into a side hustle and if it works out well one day a full on income - growing and selling flowers. As with…
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UC AP How to calculate??
So much confusion over this. It states online to calculate on the last day of your assesment period the total amount of money in all accounts, then deduct PIP, DLA, any wages and the UC payment itself. That leaves you with the capital because all the benefits, wages etc are income in tge current month it was payed in and…
