First time experience of benefits. Universal credit is a joke.

pmduk

seashore22 wrote: »

Once again thanks for all the helpful replies. Feeling slightly embarrassed about my original rant now.

It's understandable, it's one heck of a learning curve when you're suddenly thrust into the murky world of claiming!

Ineededaname

Ultimately if your daughter had declared the children initially there should have been some kind of contact from them before the payment date to verify the children. Normally on the to-do list or Journal.
My biggest advice on Universal Credit is to log into the account regularly and check everything.

As they had to request evidence of the children it sounds like your daughter isn't claiming child benefit at present? This is a seperate payment and she should apply for it.

seashore22

Ineededaname wrote: »

Ultimately if your daughter had declared the children initially there should have been some kind of contact from them before the payment date to verify the children. Normally on the to-do list or Journal.
My biggest advice on Universal Credit is to log into the account regularly and check everything.

As they had to request evidence of the children it sounds like your daughter isn't claiming child benefit at present? This is a seperate payment and she should apply for it.

She applied for child benefit a couple of weeks ago. The birth certificates are back, so hopefully she should receive something soon.

There's just been so much to organise, but we are slowly getting there.

When things have settled down a bit we are considering doing something to help others in a similar position to my daughter. Maybe volunteering at CAB or helping with refuge organisations. Whatever we decide, I don't want to waste the insight we've had into how easily you can find yourself in difficulties and how hard it is to deal with the system. One positive is that people in general have been so willing to help and have been incredibly kind to our daughter. Restores your faith in humanity.

Thanks everyone.