Universal Credit help

cantorskint

Hi All

I have just started to claim JSA and this is being done via universal credit as I live in Oldham.

My previous job was weekly pay and I was laid off on 30/7/13, I have been told I can expect my first payment on 11th September! This will be my monthly payment date.

Now obviously this has created a huge problem for me as I now have no money left until this date, I questioned this in the job centre and asked how I was expected to eat and pay for travel to attend interviews to which the 'advisor' replied, ' thats just the way it is now, it's intended to get you used to monthly pay! '

And just to clarify before you ask, I cannot get any help from elsewhere, I have tried all options, a friend borrowed me some money last week but that is now gone, Is there anything I can do?

Many thanks

supertomsk

You can ask for assistance for travel to interviews - its is discretionary though, you could ask about a short term benefit advance - not sure how this would fit in with UC though. Any food banks in your area and does your council run the discretionary fund that replaced crisis loans?

sammyjammy

It does make me cross when Jobcentre staff ignore the policy and advise people based on their own opinions.

You can formally request and advance payment, they will pay you up to two weeks money, you will be expected, in the long term to learn to manage the monthly payments though so the next payment of two weeks would be expected to last you the month until 11th October.

Best to ring the benefit centre direct.

sammyjammy

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/budgeting-short-term-advances-guidance-las.pdf