Complicated Universal Credit Issue

Parmaviolet01

Hi all,
Due to very comlicated circumstances my children and I moved in with my partner and we had to claim UC, before this move the children's father claimed the child benefit. I applied for the child benefit but it had not yet been processed, I was told by my advisor that if I showed them proof that the children lived with me by way of an official letter and their birth certs they would be considered in the claim. Three days before payment was due I got a message on my journal to say no they wouldn't be included and we are treated as a couple. Child benefit has told me it can take 12 weeks for a claim to be processed, it has been 6 weeks so far. I work part time and my partner has ill health and was previously on esa which he was told to stop claiming as we are in a full service area and had to claim UC. Does anyone have any advice on what options I may have we cannot survive another month on £600 to feed us, pay for travel to and from work and school, gas, electric and all other bills.

sammyjammy

You've had a lot of views and no replies, I think you're right it is complicated but I can see that UC can't pay you for the children in the circumstances. Is it possible to get any money from the NRP? I'm assuming not.


I'm not sure anyone can really offer any advice. You could get some help from a foodbank, I know it wouldn't help much but at least you would have some food. Can you speak to a supervisor at Child Benefit and try to get your case fast tracked?


Presumable the NRP (non resident parent) is willing to give up the Child Benefit? Whilst its being sorted are they passing over the money?

Alice_Holt

UC advance payment if it is not yet in payment?
Contact your MP to speed up CB transfer & UC process?
Turn2us grant?
https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/
Any family & friends who could help?
Benefit check & food vouchers from your local CAB?
How many children? - if more than 2 you should stay on Tax Credits rather be paid the UC child element. If more than 2 try to sort this out now as it will lead to further delays - UC IT can't cope with more than 2 children (the 2 child policy).

Sorry - these are more random thoughts than useful advice, but definitely see if your MP can intervene with HMRC / DWP to speed things up.
I'm assuming the children's father is co-operative - are you now getting maintenance?

Parmaviolet01

Thanks for the replies,
I have two children, NRP ended their child benefit claim when I applied so no issue there, due to valid circumstances of their own they cannot contribute at present but that will change next month. UC payment has been made it was just very small as I work part time and they are treating us as a couple, to be fair if it was just us my wages and payment would have been enough.
I will contact child benefit explaining the situation and find out if it can be moved long quickly, It was just very frustrating as I was basically told as long as I provided certain documents the children could be paid for then finding this wasn't so a few days before payment.