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I have a Universal Credit payment scheduled despite being in Uni.

I applied for Universal credit back in May due to not being able to find a job. At the end of the month, I finally found one and earned enough money to be considered fully employed by the Jobcentre. I told them in the initial interview that I am enrolled in a uni but they didn't ask me anything about that.

Just yesterday, I saw an email that said that I needed to accept my commitments. A bit puzzled, I opened my Universal Credit account and found that a payment is scheduled for this Sunday, since I earned less money in September. My Student Finance Payments are also blocked and I will get a reply from SLC this week.

What should I do? It says that I need to report changes in my UC account, a month before my payment. Should I also notify Student Finance?

Comments

  • You have to report changes when they occur. You weren't in full time education when you claimed. You are now. So you need to report it and should do so quickly. You may not be entitled to that payment and if that is the case it will be a debt once they become aware.
  • As you are at a Uni, see if you can go to their student services and get advice on what you can and can't do as regards benefits. I believe Universal Credit treats students differently to traditional benefits so need to be handled differently. Sounds like you need help with your student loan as well.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As you are at a Uni, see if you can go to their student services and get advice on what you can and can't do as regards benefits. I believe Universal Credit treats students differently to traditional benefits so need to be handled differently. Sounds like you need help with your student loan as well.
    Students loans are counted as Income for UC the same as they always were for the legacy benefits, nothing has changed there. See link.
    https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Student-income-Universal-Credit
  • Why go to the Uni to discuss the benefit when they can go to the benefit to discuss the benefit.

    Students are not normally entitled. If you aren't and you receive payments the best case scenario is it's an overpayment and becomes a debt. The worst case is it being considered fraud.
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