Universal Credit cancelled mid way through payment month 29 October 2020 at 12:05PM in Benefits & tax credits 7 replies 341 views

helplwithmoneyplease

Hi, I had been on universal credit for a few months, with each payment period running from the 13th to the 13th. On the 1st October I informed UC that I was going into postgraduate education (starting on the 1st Oct), and consequently was receiving a masters loan from Student Finance England, assuming this would end my UC payments. However, they then backdated my cancellation so that i wasn't paid for the last 2 weeks of September (from 13th-30th). So my UC was cancelled on the 13th Sept (as that had been the end of my previous payment period), however my course didn't start until 1st Oct, and I didn't actually receive any SFE payment until the 7th Oct. I have contacted UC a few times to try and see if I was eligible for that 2 and a half weeks pay. But on the third attempt of trying to get an answer my case manager informed me that I am not owed anything for those dates because "You left part way through an assessment period and your account is correct". 

I have rang UC again to try and get an answer as to what specifically they mean by assessment period and why that means I don't get any funds for those dates but am yet to hear back. Does anyone know if this is correct, and why? Surely as my circumstances didn't change until the 1st Oct my claim shouldn't be changed until that date and not backdated to the end of the previous payment period? Therefore meaning I should have received 17 days worth of UC for the payment period 13th Sept - 13th Oct?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

poppy12345

You have been advised correctly. The changes will have taken affect from the start of your assessment period in the emonth your report them and not mid way through. Your assessment period lasts for 1 month that starts on the day you first applied for UC. For example, if you applied for UC on 13th June, your assessment periods will be 13th June to 12th July and continue in the same way each month.

Unfortunately, you are not owed any money.

helplwithmoneyplease

Hi Poppy,
Thanks for your response.
So just to clarify, UC essentially don't pay out half months to anyone? You can only get paid for a full month and if your circumstances change even a few days from the end of that period its essentially tough luck and you lose the whole months allowance?
Seems like a very unfair system if so, I still have rent to pay and food to buy in those 17 days.

poppy12345

Yes that's correct. It affects the whole assessment period. Sometimes changes work to peoples advantage and other times they don't. Thankfully you now have your student loan.

helplwithmoneyplease

Thanks for your help

cmbrookes

I thought I would ask a question in this thread rather than start a new one.....
So I am due to move in with my partner on the 23/11/2020, we have recently given our relationship another go and it seems it would make sense to move in with her and try again. She receives UC and her assessment date is from the 15th to the 14th of the next month. Now, because of what I have read above and UC payments are always paid in arrears, when my partner informs them on the 23/11/2020 this will be near the start and part of the new assessment period of 15/11/2020 to 14/12/2020 so will she not get any payment for that period?

poppy12345

cmbrookes said:

I thought I would ask a question in this thread rather than start a new one.....
So I am due to move in with my partner on the 23/11/2020, we have recently given our relationship another go and it seems it would make sense to move in with her and try again. She receives UC and her assessment date is from the 15th to the 14th of the next month. Now, because of what I have read above and UC payments are always paid in arrears, when my partner informs them on the 23/11/2020 this will be near the start and part of the new assessment period of 15/11/2020 to 14/12/2020 so will she not get any payment for that period?

Please start your own thread with your question. It's very confusing when asking on someone else's thread, especially when your question is different to what the original poster was asking.

More info is also needed. Will you still be entitled to UC when you move in?

cmbrookes

poppy12345 said:

cmbrookes said:

I thought I would ask a question in this thread rather than start a new one.....
So I am due to move in with my partner on the 23/11/2020, we have recently given our relationship another go and it seems it would make sense to move in with her and try again. She receives UC and her assessment date is from the 15th to the 14th of the next month. Now, because of what I have read above and UC payments are always paid in arrears, when my partner informs them on the 23/11/2020 this will be near the start and part of the new assessment period of 15/11/2020 to 14/12/2020 so will she not get any payment for that period?

Please start your own thread with your question. It's very confusing when asking on someone else's thread, especially when your question is different to what the original poster was asking.

More info is also needed. Will you still be entitled to UC when you move in?

Ok I do apologies