Universal Credit Statements

Muttleythefrog

Quickies. Got my first Universal Credit statement and as expected it wasn't as expected.

It is however now understood - I have underlying entitlement to Contribution based ESA so in switching from IR ESA to Universal Credit they've now moved me to full payment of CB - ESA and deducted an average of it from the monthly U/C payment.

Two queries. 

1. I wasn't expecting CB - ESA to go into payment (assuming it might go to a zero payment) and agent advised I protect myself by retaining it in payment. Is there any negative consequence that anyone can imagine arising due to this remaining in payment besides obviously it being deducted from my U/C amount?

2. Do Universal Credit do paper based statements in post and if so does this need to be requested and how? The online printable (convertible to PDF) version is not terribly convincing as far as authenticity goes and unfortunately I might need something better for future evidences of benefits received..i.e. a statement printed by the DWP of entitlement and amounts. Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

Spoonie_Turtle

Re no. 2: I very much doubt it because everything about UC is done online. Anyone dealing with proof of benefits should know how a UC statement looks, and if they are in any doubt then they need to learn, quickly!

Muttleythefrog

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Re no. 2: I very much doubt it because everything about UC is done online. Anyone dealing with proof of benefits should know how a UC statement looks, and if they are in any doubt then they need to learn, quickly!

The Home Office documentary requirements unfortunately are quite outdated! Migrants are the last consideration for these things dare I say. It's only very recently original documents were not required to be physically sent. I'll look on immigration boards later if necessary. 

(In case someone uses search terms relevant in future)
For reference : Specified evidence (From FM - SE of the immigration rules regarding proving income that is of benefit type nature - section 10.f.)
(i) Department for Work and Pensions documentation confirming the person or their partner is or was in receipt of the benefit in the 12-month period prior to the date of application.
(ii) personal bank statements for or from the 12-month period prior to the date of application showing the income was paid into the person’s account.

calcotti

Muttleythefrog said: I wasn't expecting CB - ESA to go into payment (assuming it might go to a zero payment) and agent advised I protect myself by retaining it in payment. Is there any negative consequence that anyone can imagine arising due to this remaining in payment besides obviously it being deducted from my U/C amount?

None. Indeed it's very much worth keeping going. Should your circumstances ever change such that you no longer qualified for a means tested benefit you would still have the C-ESA. If you let it stop you will not be able to claim it again because you will not meet the qualifying conditions.

Muttleythefrog said: 2. Do Universal Credit do paper based statements in post and if so does this need to be requested and how? 

No they don't. Showing your statement on a digital device or a print out should be accepted where necessary.

Spoonie_Turtle

Muttleythefrog said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Re no. 2: I very much doubt it because everything about UC is done online. Anyone dealing with proof of benefits should know how a UC statement looks, and if they are in any doubt then they need to learn, quickly!

The Home Office documentary requirements unfortunately are quite outdated! Migrants are the last consideration for these things dare I say. It's only very recently original documents were not required to be physically sent. I'll look on immigration boards later if necessary. 

(In case someone uses search terms relevant in future)
For reference : Specified evidence (From FM - SE of the immigration rules regarding proving income that is of benefit type nature - section 10.f.)
(i) Department for Work and Pensions documentation confirming the person or their partner is or was in receipt of the benefit in the 12-month period prior to the date of application.
(ii) personal bank statements for or from the 12-month period prior to the date of application showing the income was paid into the person’s account.

Oh, I meant they should know how a UC statement printout looks (though it would be very frustrating if you don't have a printer).

Muttleythefrog

calcotti said:

Muttleythefrog said: I wasn't expecting CB - ESA to go into payment (assuming it might go to a zero payment) and agent advised I protect myself by retaining it in payment. Is there any negative consequence that anyone can imagine arising due to this remaining in payment besides obviously it being deducted from my U/C amount?

None. Indeed it's very much worth keeping going. Should your circumstances ever change such that you no longer qualified for a means tested benefit you would still have the C-ESA. If you let it stop you will not be able to claim it again because you will not meet the qualifying conditions.

Muttleythefrog said: 2. Do Universal Credit do paper based statements in post and if so does this need to be requested and how? 

No they don't. Showing your statement on a digital device or a print out should be accepted where necessary.

Thanks... to respond to Spoonie and you... I'll have to look further into Home Office expectation. As it happens I've just realised I cannot prove my CB-ESA either as they've sent me a letter that is wrong... awarding me full IR ESA. But for Home Office (the irony another government department) I would assume a printout could fall foul of the standards for proof... anything self printed typically has to have every page endorsed by the issuer as true and accurate AFAIK (which is usually more trouble than trying to get an institution to print officially/originals)... certainly that was the case with printed bank statements.

JonVarnas

I've not had any problems using UC statements. The council accepted it as evidence for my Council Tax Reduction claim and I just show it on my mobile to the cashier at my local hospital whenever I get a refund for my travel costs.

Muttleythefrog

JonVarnas said:

I've not had any problems using UC statements. The council accepted it as evidence for my Council Tax Reduction claim and I just show it on my mobile to the cashier at my local hospital whenever I get a refund for my travel costs.

The Home Office can be funny animals sadly... I've got no concerns other organisations would accept such or present opportunity to provide some alternative if they did not... but with UKVI... your life in their hands and also a lot of your money..lol. The immigration rules and guidance specify required evidence and the format. I'm actually struggling to get answer on Immigration boards too... but many people by now must've had to evidence U/C to UKVI.