UC need some clarity please

Spoonie_Turtle

tomtom256 wrote: »

You don't get sent to the jobcentre that is furthest away, you go to the one that covers your postcode.

If there is one easier to get to, you could request your claim be moved there.

I know, which is why I said it just *feels* like it it's not even in the same county though, so a bit bizarre.

Thank you, one of the previous times I had to claim benefits I had my claim moved so it was easier to get to, though I was assigned to one of the two closer ones from that start, that time. I'll have to see whether they want me to come in again or not after this next appointment and if so, I will probably ask to move to one closer. (I do hope not though as I'm not well enough to go to frequent appointments of any kind.)

NedS

Spoonie_Turtle wrote: »

Thank you, one of the previous times I had to claim benefits I had my claim moved so it was easier to get to, though I was assigned to one of the two closer ones from that start, that time. I'll have to see whether they want me to come in again or not after this next appointment and if so, I will probably ask to move to one closer. (I do hope not though as I'm not well enough to go to frequent appointments of any kind.)

You may or may not have much success with that, depending on the Jobcentre you ask (or even the person you speak to). As stated above, the rules are you are seen in the jobcentre assigned to your postcode. Some jobcentres may bend the rules for you, others will not. So by all means ask (never hurts to ask), but don't be offended if they say no.

Spoonie_Turtle

Another update:

My work coach seemed to be reasonable, my claimant commitments are simple and easily achievable for me. She will try to give me minimal appointments and hopes the WCA will be soon [I hold out less hope of that, but there we go]. She said she didn't have the authority to change my assigned Jobcentre, and doesn't have authority to grant my request for telephone appointments but she'll speak to her manager about that.

She was quite insistent on me bringing my next fit notes in person, saying I was 'very lucky' that my last one got there in the post and I got it back, although I've never had problems with letters getting lost in the post - I do think she was just looking out for me and not wanting anything to go wrong though. My fit notes are usually for a fairly long time so it won't be too bad, it's just a 90-min round trip plus being kept waiting (25mins this time! I ended up in tears I was so fatigued) is *exhausting* and I could really do without it.

Still, I can't complain because she was sympathetic and reasonable and other than the appointments, my commitments are well within my limitations

Spoonie_Turtle

calcotti wrote: »

UC entitlement should be based on the amount you actually receive during the assessment period. This should be the net payment figure on your payslip.

Spoonie_Turtle wrote: »

That's reassuring, thank you. I guess I'm just a bit wary that there may be some potential glitch, but it will be nice if it turns out right to start with

(Finally figured out how to multiquote, hooray!) Surprise surprise, they've gone with the gross figure to give me 0 entitlement :wall: though in fairness the deductions on my payslip don't have a date, so I suppose they have no way of knowing when the first amount was paid. Here's hoping it's simple to sort out ...

calcotti

Spoonie_Turtle wrote: »

............ Surprise surprise, they've gone with the gross figure to give me 0 entitlement ...

UC entitlement should definitely be based on net figure after tax and NI have been deducted (and any pension contributions)

Spoonie_Turtle

calcotti wrote: »

UC entitlement should definitely be based on net figure after tax and NI have been deducted (and any pension contributions)

The deductions were backpay, which went into my account before I even opened my claim; the net pay for September was well under the limit. I phoned this morning and just have to send in a copy of my bank statement showing what went in when so they can disregard what I was paid before my claim.

calcotti

Spoonie_Turtle wrote: »

The deductions were backpay, which went into my account before I even opened my claim; the net pay for September was well under the limit. I phoned this morning and just have to send in a copy of my bank statement showing what went in when so they can disregard what I was paid before my claim.

Backpay will be taken into account. If you received it within the assessment period it is counted.

Spoonie_Turtle

calcotti wrote: »

Backpay will be taken into account. If you received it within the assessment period it is counted.

It was in my account by August 28th, but because it was after August payday and their HMRC report went when the wageslips were generated, any amendments were reflected in September's pay period and the HMRC report. I opened the UC claim on September 10th, with the AP running until Oct 9th. However because September payday was in the middle of the AP, although I only received the September pay (NOT including backpay) the backpay was reported to HMRC then, not when I recieved it before. So it shows up as a deduction, but the proof I have of when exactly it was paid is the date on the bank statement.

This wouldn't even be an issue if anyone from Payroll had noticed my paperwork that they received a couple of days after my dismissal way back in July, and I'd have been paid the right amount in the August pay period (ending Aug 25th) to start with :doh: can you imagine if I'd not known it had to be paid before the UC assessment period?! The wages earned up until Sept 9th would have been all I had until the middle of November! :eek:

calcotti

Understood. Show UC your bank statement which shows both August and September payments which they can then compare with the RTI information. Ask them to review the UC entitlement on the grounds that the RTI information is incorrect.

Spoonie_Turtle

calcotti wrote: »

Understood. Show UC your bank statement which shows both August and September payments which they can then compare with the RTI information. Ask them to review the UC entitlement on the grounds that the RTI information is incorrect.

Ah, technical terms always useful! Thanks!