Guide discussion: Universal credit

Danday

pmlindyloo wrote: »

What do you mean that Pension Credit has changed and is administered in the same way as Income support?

Up until a few years ago everyone was given an 'Assessed Income Period'. In effect saying that no matter what capital you acquired or what increase in income you had, the PC payments would be made. The case of the tottery winner with millions in the bank continued to receive his full PC entitlement to the end of his AIP.

Now PC is run along the same lines as Income Support. You are required to inform the DWP of any changes in capital wealth or income. Any increase in income reduces £ for £ the PC payments. Also the deprivation rules affect PC, any substantial reduction of capital has to be accounted for whereas under the old system you could do what you wanted with your capital

Alice_Holt

sizorlegs wrote: »

just needed a bit of hell until i got myself back on my feet,

I thought "hell" a good choice of word - more apposite than "help" when it concerns UC!

They kept paying me for 14 months and then they told me that I was never entitled to UC because after month 1 my capital went over 16k because of my redundancy payment. And now i owe them 12k.

One difference between UC and the legacy payments is that overpayments are always recoverable, even if they have arisen through official error.
So, even if the claimant has supplied all the required info on time if UC get their calculations wrong, the claimant is liable for the DWP error.

The claimant can not challenge the o/p but can -
1) Make their MP aware of the impact of Parliament's decision:
2) Make a complaint - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure
3) Try for financial redress for maladministration - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671381/financial-redress-for-maladministration-dwp-staff-guide.pdf

Danday

Alice_Holt wrote: »

One difference between UC and the legacy payments is that overpayments are always recoverable, even if they have arisen through official error.
So, even if the claimant has supplied all the required info on time if UC get their calculations wrong, the claimant is liable for the DWP error.

The claimant can not challenge the o/p but can -
1) Make their MP aware of the impact of Parliament's decision:
2) Make a complaint - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure
3) Try for financial redress for maladministration - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671381/financial-redress-for-maladministration-dwp-staff-guide.pdf

You right Alice.
However most claimants will feel down trodden and abused by the state so probably won't get beyond number 1 in your list even if they actually get that far.

Floxxie

I wonder how many people are not going to be eligible for Universal Credit as their circumstances will change before the transition period is in place?

MV85

Does anyone know how to speed process, almost 7 weeks since applied?

janetannhd

Can anyone help me clarify my confusion..... when completing the various benefits calculators, it says i qualify for 4 bedrooms and shows me to receive housing element for 4 bedrooms ( I rent privately) When I applied for UC it asks for how many bedrooms I actually have .. which is 3. So why do the calculators not show me the amount I will get for 3 bedrooms, The extra awarded for 4 bedrooms will take me over the benefit cap and naturally reduces entitlement.
I have not received my first payment and my work coach has no clue what I will receive...is their anyone else in a similar position? I am assuming they will pay me for 3 beds.
I cant understand why the benefits calculators do not ask for how many rooms you actually have so you can get a clearer view of your entitlement.

huckster

What happens is that the calculator works out your entitlement to number of bedrooms rate. If you go to the Local Housing Allowance site you can see how they calculate number of bedrooms entitlement. You can also see the different weekly rates for a 3 or 4 bedroom home.

It may be the case that you are entitled to the 4 bed rate even though you only live in a 3 bedroom home.

I am not sure that the benefit cap being applied makes you worse off than UC only allowing you the 3 bedroom rate.

Suggest you start your own thread and provide more information about your claim.

number9

Need a bit of guidance please. I'm supporting a male aged 35 who has asbergers'. He's currently on income related esa with personal allowance, enhanced disability premium and PIP. He's in the limited capability for work group. He wants to work. He's desperate to find work and become independent. Personally, I feel he should try applying for 'permitted work" and see how part time work goes. I
If he did get a full time job, he wouldn't get esa but would retain PIP.Hes currently on the legacy benefits but lives in a full UC area.
I've been advised that if he did work full time then his entitlement to esa would end. but he wouldn't have to claim UC as he would earn too much to obtain any benefit. His worry is that he may struggle with work and, if he had to resign/leave then what would happen next? Would the change mean he migrated to UC or would he stay on legacy benefits (having not made a claim) with him now being eligible for esa payment again? It is my understanding that he would be worse off on UC because he wouldn't get the enhanced disability payment. Please advise/help .👍

calcotti

If the ESA claim ends he cannot make a new claim in a UC area so yes if he does work outside the permitted work rules, thus ending a ESA, but then has to stop work be will have to claim UC.

Can check entitlement using a calculator https://www.entitledto.co.uk/. You are correct that there is no enhanced disability premium in UC.

If he gets housing benefit this would end 2 weeks after claiming UC because help with rent would be included in UC claim.

number9

Calcotti. Thanks. I wasn't sure if the ESA would be the end of the claim or just a reduction to nil with the person still having a registered claim... if you know what I mean!

This person doesn't have any housing costs. Lives with mother.