Unemployment - Universal Crrdit

tka

Just wondering if anyone has been through a similar situation with Universal Credit.(UC)
I've been having problem finding jobs so I've been taking part-time, temp and casual work.(Awful jobs but needed money and something on my CV) I've been told once my work finishes I will need to report to the local job centre and will automatically be on UC , so I did. My job finished around August 2017 and I have not received nothing since.... Since then I've had to cover my own travel expenses to all the job fairs, events,appointments and work programs such as Shaw Trust requested by the job centre and unfortunately nothing has helped if anything it was starting to ruin any confidence and self esteem in seeking employment........... At first the support and programs available sounds so helpful I was in high hopes of finding a dream job eventually I realised all I was getting were false promises,lies and even started to receive some uncomfortable personal remarks .
I have told the person I was seeing at the job centre I was and still am having problems with receiving UC and don't know as the only answer I got from him and told me to call the UC service line...... So I did, eventually got through after many attempts, the operator said it was a error in the computer systems......so I thought okay.....UC is a new system so there will be mistakes.... right?... ..I was told to attend another appointment at the job centre. Has been over a month since and I have not heard a single response from any parties! Not only am I not receiving any UC but most importantly the "support " they have given me is non existence if anything I felt alot worse than before - basically making remarks its all my fault that I am unemployed.........so I thought ok, fine my problem so how about helping me get a job then?! Of course never got me one!
So now I am unemployed, no UC, got to the point where I am forced to move elsewhere where maybe more jobs will be available (e.g. larger cities).
I am not even expecting to receive any UC payments now but I would like to ask - is there at least anyway to compensate for the travelling costs I have to pay to attend all these !!!! demoralising and useless job fairs,events, and programs etc in which was mandatory to be on Universal Credit.
Any information or advice would be great - Thanks (Also sorry for my language in the above paragraph too )

BorisThomson

More information needed, do you have a partner that works, or savings? What are you living off, how are you paying rent/ mortgage? This has been going on for months, have you raised a complaint?

tka

I have been relying on savings, minimum spending, selling my own stuff.
I have repeatedly told the job centre about this and called UC helpline apart from this I seriously don't know what else I can do or who to contact.
I'm not asking to be back on UC again but at least cover what I was told I was entitled to during the last few months and I've still got more upcoming appointments .

pmlindyloo

This is difficult to answe since we cannot determine what is happening with your UC claim.

You may have to keep ringing to see if the claim is being processed and whether you are,in fact, eligible for UC. Whether you are concerned about payment or not, most financial aid is only for those on UC.

Once you have clarified what is happening about the claim then you should ask about the Flexible Support fund at your Job Centre.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-to-help-with-the-cost-of-transport/support-to-help-with-the-cost-of-transport

tka

I have been told by the jobcentre and helpline I was on UC and do need some the financial aid, however if the situation is going to continue like this - I do not think I can keep chasing them like this.
It is causing me more stress than I need for my current situation.
But thank you for your post and advice...

Mersey_2

This really isn't good enough. Ask them (UC national contact centre) to open a complaint re your UC claim and lack of payments and in the meantime - as pmlindyloo suggested - apply at your local Jobcentre Plus office for the Flexible Support Fund.


That should be paying you for travel expenses and so on to attend these job fairs.