Universal Credit query

Maureen43

Hello All,

I know there have been other threads around this subject but I didn't want to highjack them and my queries are quite specific.

I am a single parent, currently work part time and receive CTC and WTC, however I can now see that, due to my childrens' savings, I won't qualify for UC at all. So, I will lose about £750 a month income. I am trying to get a f/t job so hopefully this won't be an issue by the time it happens. I am also badgering my current employer for more hours in the meantime.

1) Will my case not be reviewed at all until April '14? Or will it be looked at before then if my circumstances change? I want to know the earliest date I could lose this money and I think that will be April '14

2) Will my circumstances (not being eligible for UC due to childrens' savings) make me eligible for transitional protection? If yes, how much would I get and how long will this last for?

Can I just stress again that I am fully intending to be in full time work by then, but I want to know the worst case scenario!

Thanks,
M

sammyjammy

April 2014 is the earliest that those claiming Working tax credits will be affected. This is for new claims but existing claimants will start to move over at that time, this will happen over a longer period of time. In essence whether or not you have a Change of Circumstances or not you could be moved over any time after April 2014.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/help_with_housing_costs/universal_credit?gclid=COahoMSm4LQCFW3MtAodtykAGw#1

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/ucpbn-transitional-protection.pdf

Maureen43

Thanks SammyJammy for the answer about timing. That is useful.

I am still unsure about whether transitional protection will benefit me in my circumstances however....Can anyone help?

M.

zagfles

Yes it should, it does say transitional protection will apply to those with savings who get tax credits now. It doesn't specifically mention childrens' savings but can't believe that would be excluded from TP.

Maureen43

Thanks zagfles! Where did you read that?

zagfles

It was in the archived breifing notes here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/ucpbn-3-capital.pdf

see section 4e.

It does say at the bottom here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/legislation-and-key-documents/welfare-reform-act-2012/welfare-reform-regulations/ that these notes have been superceded, but can't find anywhere where it reiterates TP for savings in the current notes and regulations. But can't find anything saying they've changed their mind about it either. But I haven't dug that deep...have a look see if you find anything...

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/overview
But can you not use CTF/JISA now?

chelle_bell

I think your allowed a certain amount of savings though! Surely there has to be some way around this, say for example if the money was signed over to someone else but for the children when they're older, then it wouldn't be the kids because it would be someone else's? If the claimant doesn't have access to the funds perhaps that would be enough?

Maureen43

chelle_bell wrote: »

I think your allowed a certain amount of savings though! Surely there has to be some way around this, say for example if the money was signed over to someone else but for the children when they're older, then it wouldn't be the kids because it would be someone else's? If the claimant doesn't have access to the funds perhaps that would be enough?

This is called "deprivation of capital" I believe, and the authorities check for it...

wayne0

child trust fund doesnt count on jsa... not sure about UC...

my daughters savings were £1952(or close) when i took my bank statements in to jsa meeting. the guy told me CTF wouldnt be included because its a governement scheme that cant be accessed. he advised me to cancel my Standing order (tenner a week) otherwise the limit of £2000 would be over, and the whole amount would be considered my capital. - any my capital was already just at the six grand limit.

not sure if uc would be the same but cant see why it wouldnt?

also, from what i understand, currently housing benefit doesnt consider any of the childs capital as yours? - i informed them of my daughters savings, and they never asked for copies of bank statements etc...

LydiaJ

Hope you don't feel I'm hijacking your thread, Maureen, but while we're on the subject of children's savings, does anyone know anything about how children's income will affect UC when it comes in? My kids get survivors' pensions from my late husband's pension schemes. They don't count for CTC/WTC, or for income tax (because they aren't big enough to go over the children's own personal tax allowances) but I think they might count for UC. Can anyone clarify please?