Universal credit-Uniform matalan voucher given by job centre-HELP

Mackemgirl · 6 October 2018 at 3:25PM

I have a huge problem. Basically I was given a £10 voucher for matalan for some shoes, as help with workwear. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anything suitable and in my size for ten pound. And the shoes that were ten pound were either a different colour (I needed black) or not my size. Anyways my job coach told me, the payment doesn’t come out of their funding until I have purchased something and matalan have processed it. It hasn’t been spent, because I couldn’t find anything at all. I have had to lend unused shoes from my mother, as we are the same size.

The voucher expires on Monday. How do I go about telling my work coach on my journal that this has happened? And I shouldn’t owe them any money as it will not be getting spent and as I said it apparently doesn’t come out of their fund until a purchase has been processed. Will I get in trouble for this as it was completely not my fault, and will they demand money even though I shouldn’t owe them anything?

If anyone can help me with this and put my mind at ease it would Be appreciated as I’m really worried and will be contacting them via work coach note on my profile, tomorrow.

carlislelass · 6 October 2018 at 3:50PM

Couldn't you have added to it?

xylophone · 6 October 2018 at 4:37PM

Could you not have obtained a pair of shoes in a colour other than black and swopped them for a pair of your mother's?

unforeseen · 6 October 2018 at 4:52PM

Surely the voucher is a contribution and they expect you to add some money to it?

Mackemgirl · 6 October 2018 at 5:02PM

I have no idea if I would have been able to put money towards it. Possibly I think I might have been able to, but the work coach never mentioned that. The issue was more of the fact they were very strict on the form and said I was only allowed flat black shoes (like a dolly shoe) and I simply couldn’t find any black shoes in my size that weren’t too flimsy, as of course I’m quite heavy footed, and I wear shoes easily. Also I didn’t want to have to trek to the 2nd store on the other side of my city because ive had the worst migraine all day and felt naseous. So I just ended up going home. I will just make a note of it in my journal and explain the situation.