Universal Credit April Rise

Aunt_Polly

Hi 
Has anyone else not been paid the April rise in their payment ? 

My assessment period is 21st to 20th. By my understanding I should have received the new rate from 11th April to 20th April, however I have asked the question in my journal twice (one week apart) and received no reply.
i have received my payment today and sure enough no rise - is anyone able to explain this please 

nannytone_2

Uc is paid monthly in arrears.
The  April increase won't show until mays payment

calcotti

The increases apply to the first assessment period starting on or after 11th April. Some claimants will only see the increase for the first time on 17th May.

Aunt_Polly

Thank you for your replies. I understand that the payment is made in arrears but the ‘assessment period’ covers the dates from the new legislation taking affect. Seems a little unfair as I have been told it won’t be backdated to 11 April, so in effect I personally don’t get the new rate until 21st April and not the 11th thereby losing 10 days at the new rate

Spoonie_Turtle

You don't lose out though because your next 12 full APs will be at the new rate.  Then when it goes up next year, you'll get 12 full APs at that new rate.  The same as everyone else.

tifo

calcotti said:

The increases apply to the first assessment period starting on or after 11th April. Some claimants will only see the increase for the first time on 17th May.

Yes, but when money is owed to them they backdate it to the beginning of that assessment period.

My assessment period is also 21st - 20th. I had a child who started working on 10th Feb a few years ago. Told them and they stopped the additional child payment from the next assessment period, i.e. from 21st. Then a year later they asked for the money back saying the change happened in the Jan - Feb assessment period and it's to be paid back from 21st Jan.

Coming to the April increase, the change happened 11th April and it's to be paid from the 21st. Whereas with an overpayment it will be backdated to the beginning of that period. They save money with the increase, get it back with an overpayment. Even though in both instances the change happened mid assessment.

calcotti

tifo, you are correct that the application of increased rates only from the AP starting on or after 11th April is at odds with the general principle of UC thaht the month is calculated on the basis of circumstances at the end of the month. Unfortunately however it is what is done.

tifo

calcotti said:

tifo, you are correct that the application of increased rates only from the AP starting on or after 11th April is at odds with the general principle of UC thaht the month is calculated on the basis of circumstances at the end of the month. Unfortunately however it is what is done.

Yes, all i said was they take but don't give.

NE12

My assessment period is from 10th April to 9th May 2022, and I see no increase.

calcotti

NE12 said:

My assessment period is from 10th April to 9th May 2022, and I see no increase.

That’s because the increase applies, as already advised several times, for APs starting on or after 11th April. 

Dullville

NE12 said:

My assessment period is from 10th April to 9th May 2022, and I see no increase.

Looks like you’ve missed the increase by 1 day, very harsh.
Similar position to me as my AP is 7th April till 6th May.
Its a tad unfair in my humble opinion.