We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
universal credit and community work programme

asteraix
Posts: 26 Forumite
afternoon guys
long story ahead but I need advice
I was claiming universal credit single person and was on the community work programme. I signed off sept 20th universal credit last payment was 24th august but was still doing mandatory work programme until 20th sept have been told that because I signed off 24th aug I would receive no further payments this info I got on 7th oct!! I want to know what I do next as it seems I was on a mandatory programme but getting no benefits for doing it. I lost universal credit and a months rent benefit. I have put in a complaint on 12th oct and got a reply back one page more or less saying tough!! I rang and asked did they actually listen to my phone call when I signed off as no one told me I would loss all my benefit. I was told by complaints agent they had not listened to it but apologized for taking 12 weeks to reply to me..i seem to be getting no where I have asked for the recording off the conversation but I'm betting its lost..
My only question is if I was not receiving benefits why were they making me do a community work placement please advise what to do next mp??
long story ahead but I need advice
I was claiming universal credit single person and was on the community work programme. I signed off sept 20th universal credit last payment was 24th august but was still doing mandatory work programme until 20th sept have been told that because I signed off 24th aug I would receive no further payments this info I got on 7th oct!! I want to know what I do next as it seems I was on a mandatory programme but getting no benefits for doing it. I lost universal credit and a months rent benefit. I have put in a complaint on 12th oct and got a reply back one page more or less saying tough!! I rang and asked did they actually listen to my phone call when I signed off as no one told me I would loss all my benefit. I was told by complaints agent they had not listened to it but apologized for taking 12 weeks to reply to me..i seem to be getting no where I have asked for the recording off the conversation but I'm betting its lost..
My only question is if I was not receiving benefits why were they making me do a community work placement please advise what to do next mp??
0
Comments
-
I would look for a job, sounds like the games up.I do Contracts, all day every day.0
-
For what reason were you signing off? You're not new to claiming out of work benefits, surely you knew your money would stop when you did so.0
-
I signed off because I started a new job on oct 1st thanks.. surely if I do the work I'm entitled to something0
-
-
-
Did you sign off on Sept 20th or 24th August? Did you continue seeking work until you signed off, and did you provide evidence of this to the Jobcentre?
I signed off 20th sept was doing mandatory work programme and job searches up until the day I signed off last payment was 24th aug think I will go to m.p0 -
If you signed off on 20th Sept then you should be paid to that date. They seem to think you signed off on 24 Aug, but your attendance on the waste-of-time course would suggest otherwise. You can make an SAR for the transcript of the phone call to prove what was said. I always find it best to 'sign off' when you 'sign on', or the signing on day before the date you wish to stop.
With hindsight you should not have told them anything until the day you started work, in case it fell through.
You need to appeal this, just go through the process and I'm sure a decision will be given in your favour, but it can be a long and tedious business, just keep all the letters they send to you.0 -
If you signed off on 20th Sept then you should be paid to that date. They seem to think you signed off on 24 Aug, but your attendance on the waste-of-time course would suggest otherwise. You can make an SAR for the transcript of the phone call to prove what was said. I always find it best to 'sign off' when you 'sign on', or the signing on day before the date you wish to stop.
With hindsight you should not have told them anything until the day you started work, in case it fell through.
You need to appeal this, just go through the process and I'm sure a decision will be given in your favour, but it can be a long and tedious business, just keep all the letters they send to you.0 -
You have just 1 month from the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice, probably the letter you received on 17 Dec, to make an appeal, this has to go to the Courts and Tribunals Service.
http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetLeaflet.do?court_leaflets_id=2724
lets you download a pdf leaflet giving you guidance on making an appeal.0 -
afternoon guys
long story ahead but I need advice
I was claiming universal credit single person and was on the community work programme. I signed off sept 20th universal credit last payment was 24th august but was still doing mandatory work programme until 20th sept have been told that because I signed off 24th aug I would receive no further payments this info I got on 7th oct!! I want to know what I do next as it seems I was on a mandatory programme but getting no benefits for doing it. I lost universal credit and a months rent benefit. I have put in a complaint on 12th oct and got a reply back one page more or less saying tough!! I rang and asked did they actually listen to my phone call when I signed off as no one told me I would loss all my benefit. I was told by complaints agent they had not listened to it but apologized for taking 12 weeks to reply to me..i seem to be getting no where I have asked for the recording off the conversation but I'm betting its lost..
My only question is if I was not receiving benefits why were they making me do a community work placement please advise what to do next mp??
What you need to understand is Universal Credit is the merger of Dole Benefits & Tax Credits.
So by signing off on the 24th of August you basically waved your right to Housing Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance, Council Tax Support and other entitlements. You also waved your right to your Tax Credits
Even though you worked up until the 20th of September and did your part of the workfare obligation on the Job Centers record you ended the Universal Credit agreement before the agreed period was due to end. There for you face a sanction.
The only way to get round this is to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. They will most likely deny you this.
Then you need to appeal. They will tell you your unsuccessful.
Then it will come to a Tribunal and this is where you explain how you wasn't informed that by signing off you are forfeiting your right to Universal Credit. You add you for-filled your obligation to do the work program and you provide proof of this by getting a letter from your ex work place employer.
Ultimately this is your own fault I am afraid because you did not understand what the new benefit Universal Credit is. It is the merger of all benefits into 1 system.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.4K Life & Family
- 258.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards