New Universal Credit Claim. Can any help with a few questions?

db_1977

I am currently in work for 32 hours per week and claiming, Working and Child Tax Credits.

However, due to a health problem I have been on the sick for the last month, claiming statutory sick pay.

I need to make a claim for housing benefits, but the council now force you to claim it via Universal Credit.

After hearing so many bad things about UC, I just wanted to clarify a few things, with any of you, who have more knowledge of this.

My questions are as follows:

1. As I have a job, but just off with health, with sick note provided from the doctor. Will I be required to do these back to work interviews people keep talking about?

2. My main reason for being on the sick, is that I have been suffering from abdominal pains since late Feb. Been to A&E twice, since multiple doctors, and had all sorts of tests. They are still trying to zero down on what is wrong, and I am currently being referred to a specialist. I also suffer from severe clinical anxiety, ocd and have moderate depression. Will they find this sufficient enough reason for me being sick and claiming UC?

3. I have only used the online calculators to see what I would get from UC. However, even though I put I am only getting statutory sick pay, further in, they then ask how much I earn from my job. If I put in my normal amount, then the amount I would get goes down by nearly £150. So I assume on the actual claim, I would put £0 for how much I am getting from my current job? Any advice here.

[Deleted User]

You don't claim UC you claim housing benefit. If you claim UC your tax credits will stop.

Icequeen99

_shel wrote: »

You don't claim UC you claim housing benefit. If you claim UC your tax credits will stop.

Not if he lives in a UC digital service area - he will need to claim UC to get access to help with housing costs.

Use this postcode tool checker https://www.universalcreditinfo.net - if you are in a full digital UC service area then you are correct you will need to claim UC and that means your tax credit claim will end and you won't be able to go back to tax credits.

I would suggest you get some advice from a specialist welfare rights adviser because it might not be a good idea to give up your tax credit claim.

IQ

db_1977

So I checked with that tool and it says 'Universal credit is available in your postcode area and is part of the full (digital) service)'

So I am assuming that I can't just do a claim for UC housing benefit and keep the tax credits as the other poster mentioned and instead need to make a full claim?

According to the calculators i've used. I would be better off on UC. Why might I be hesitant about switching to UC? I am completely lost in this world of benefits to be honest. Hence me asking here for help.

Icequeen99

db_1977 wrote: »

So I checked with that tool and it says 'Universal credit is available in your postcode area and is part of the full (digital) service)'

So I am assuming that I can't just do a claim for UC housing benefit and keep the tax credits as the other poster mentioned and instead need to make a full claim?

According to the calculators i've used. I would be better off on UC. Why might I be hesitant about switching to UC? I am completely lost in this world of benefits to be honest. Hence me asking here for help.

Some people will be worse off on UC - it really depends on your situation. Also, there is conditionality in UC that isn't in tax credits. So your partner will be expected to look for work unless she has a reason not to e.g. is ill herself, a carer, you have very young children etc....There are also lots of problems being reported in the system.

Also, there are changes to the limited capability for work element of UC from 6 April 2017 - it is being removed so if that has been factored into any of the calculations then it is likely to be lower from 6 April.

There are lots of factors to consider so that's why seeing a specialist is a good idea.

IQ

db_1977

Thanks for the help. We have a child who was 2 in Feb this year that she looks after. So won't be 5 until 2020.

I will see if I can get an appointment with CAB. Claiming UC seems to be the only likely option though as we just can't pay the bills as it is with me being off work.

I don't suppose you are able to give an clarification on the original questions at all. You seem to know your stuff.

Icequeen99

db_1977 wrote: »

I am currently in work for 32 hours per week and claiming, Working and Child Tax Credits.

However, due to a health problem I have been on the sick for the last month, claiming statutory sick pay.

I need to make a claim for housing benefits, but the council now force you to claim it via Universal Credit.

After hearing so many bad things about UC, I just wanted to clarify a few things, with any of you, who have more knowledge of this.

My questions are as follows:

1. As I have a job, but just off with health, with sick note provided from the doctor. Will I be required to do these back to work interviews people keep talking about?

I believe so - if you have been off for some time you will have a work capability assessment at some point and you will have a claimant commitment. Your partner may also have some work seeking or preparation requirements as your child is over 1.

2. My main reason for being on the sick, is that I have been suffering from abdominal pains since late Feb. Been to A&E twice, since multiple doctors, and had all sorts of tests. They are still trying to zero down on what is wrong, and I am currently being referred to a specialist. I also suffer from severe clinical anxiety, ocd and have moderate depression. Will they find this sufficient enough reason for me being sick and claiming UC? Hard to say really - it will depend on how they assess you

3. I have only used the online calculators to see what I would get from UC. However, even though I put I am only getting statutory sick pay, further in, they then ask how much I earn from my job. If I put in my normal amount, then the amount I would get goes down by nearly £150. So I assume on the actual claim, I would put £0 for how much I am getting from my current job? Any advice here.

UC is based only on what you actually receive in a month but statutory sick pay does count as income so you would put that down as well

A welfare rights adviser should be able to go into the detail of the the assessments you will get as it certainly isn't an area I know a lot of detail about

IQ

theronstar

If I can at all add to what has been said.

1) I don't think the OP would be required to undergo a work capability assessment so soon. In my experience, they are required after a benefits claimant spends a substantial time on sick pay.

2) The DWP has been accused of trying to cut the benefits bill by deploying these assessments
.
Assessors have reached different results when assessing different people suffering from the same symptoms. Cancer claimants have been found fit to work!

I attended a WCA last year and when I read the report of the assessor, at parts of it, I did wonder if I was reading about the same assessment.

Thus it is quite right that - if possible - you seek advice from someone in the know.

One issue with UC - and I hope it won't affect you - is the time lag between your application and when the first payment hits your bank account. Some claimants have faced quite a lengthy delay.

I'd suggest you get cracking with the application and make any necessary adjustments to the claim along the way.