Re cost of living payment update

Bumblebee1814

So I requested a MR via my UC journal which they have raised and they have asked me to upload any relevant docs to support my request. I’m just going to send them my statement which shows the relevant assessment period and my entitlement which was sent directly to my landlord for rent payment. 

tomtom256

I am confused, UC have told you to do this?

They have nothing to do with the cost of living payments. Some service centres issued payments on behalf of the government, but UC decision makers wouldn't be able to review eligbility criteria, as it isn't a UC matter.

Bumblebee1814

tomtom256 said:

I am confused, UC have told you to do this?

They have nothing to do with the cost of living payments. Some service centres issued payments on behalf of the government, but UC decision makers wouldn't be able to review eligbility criteria, as it isn't a UC matter.

No the DWP have. This is what the letter states:

£326.00 Cost of Living Payment

Dear

You told us you have not received the £326 Cost of Living Payment for Universal Credit, but think you should have done.

We have looked into your enquiry and can see you were not entitled to a Universal Credit payment for an assessment period which ended between 26 April 2022 and 25 May 2022.

If you want to know more about why you were not entitled for Universal Credit, find the decision details in your journal. This includes how to ask for a mandatory reconsideration or appeal for that decision.

This means you will not receive the £326 Cost of Living Payment.

You may be entitled to the £324 Cost of Living Payment in the autumn. For information, go online at www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Yours sincerely, Office manager

So I sent a message on my journal asking for a MR and this is the message I received back from the service centre:

I have raised a Mandatory reconsideration for you to ask a decision maker if they can reconsider the decision that you are not entitled to the cost of living payment.

If you would like to supply any additional evidence to help with your Mandatory reconsideration please use the "Document upload" to-do on the TO-DO LIST section of your claim.

peteuk

Bumblebee1814 said:

Thanks Calcotti. I think I will raise this. I’ve also double checked with HMRC and my tax credits claim ended 25 April 2022, so there definitely is no overlap and I won’t receive any payment in September when other tax credits claimants will. 

So your TC stopped a day before the claim period (26 April - 26 May) Have you mentioned your UC award dates?

Do what you can to try and claim it, but I would suggest you think of it as not being available that way if you can claim it bonus!  If you cant your not spending energy and getting wound up/anxious/annoyed about not getting it. 

Bumblebee1814

peteuk said:

Bumblebee1814 said:

Thanks Calcotti. I think I will raise this. I’ve also double checked with HMRC and my tax credits claim ended 25 April 2022, so there definitely is no overlap and I won’t receive any payment in September when other tax credits claimants will. 

So your TC stopped a day before the claim period (26 April - 26 May) Have you mentioned your UC award dates?

Do what you can to try and claim it, but I would suggest you think of it as not being available that way if you can claim it bonus!  If you cant your not spending energy and getting wound up/anxious/annoyed about not getting it. 

I’m not relying on it but it would definitely be a huge help! Before I came on this forum for advice I was already told by CAB that I wasn’t entitled because I receive no payment directly as it all goes to my landlord for housing costs. I came on this forum to clarify if this was correct, which I was advised it was not and that as long as you have any entitlement where you receive payment directly or it goes towards rent, debt repayment etc within the relevant assessment period dates you should get the CoL payment. 

My tax credits claim ended on 25th April, which is the date I claimed UC. I used the benefits checker and found that I was significantly better off on UC.

My first assessment period was 26th April - 25th May. I received no payment directly, but was awarded £470ish towards housing costs paid directly to my landlord (council), payment is made on 1st of every month. 

tifo

Bumblebee1814 said:

My first assessment period was 26th April - 25th May. I received no payment directly, but was awarded £470ish towards housing costs paid directly to my landlord (council), payment is made on 1st of every month. 

It says:

Universal Credit ‘nil awards’

You will not be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if your earnings reduced your Universal Credit to £0 for the qualifying assessment period. This is sometimes called a ‘nil award’. If money has also been taken off for other reasons (such as payments of rent to your landlord or for money that you owe), you might still be eligible.

poppy12345

tifo said:

Bumblebee1814 said:

My first assessment period was 26th April - 25th May. I received no payment directly, but was awarded £470ish towards housing costs paid directly to my landlord (council), payment is made on 1st of every month. 

It says:

Universal Credit ‘nil awards’

You will not be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if your earnings reduced your Universal Credit to £0 for the qualifying assessment period. This is sometimes called a ‘nil award’. If money has also been taken off for other reasons (such as payments of rent to your landlord or for money that you owe), you might still be eligible.

As has been advised several times this person is eligible and they've been incorrectly informed they are not. There was another forumite on here that had exactly the same situation (nil award because housing payment paid straight to LL) they posted here that they received the £326.

kristen74

Bumblebee1814 said:

So finally received a response from DWP that I was not eligible for the first CoL payment as I received a nil award during the relevant assessment period even though my entire UC payment is paid to my landlord for rent. 

That’s unfortunate all the waiting stressing worrying I do hope you get somewhere despite what they have said and I am rooting for you and anyone in the same position. Was response by email ? 

Bumblebee1814

kristen74 said:

Bumblebee1814 said:

So finally received a response from DWP that I was not eligible for the first CoL payment as I received a nil award during the relevant assessment period even though my entire UC payment is paid to my landlord for rent. 

That’s unfortunate all the waiting stressing worrying I do hope you get somewhere despite what they have said and I am rooting for you and anyone in the same position. Was response by email ? 

I received a response on my UC Journal, which has a letter attached. 

I’ve just politely pointed out why I believe I am eligible referring to their own guidance. If they still say no I guess there isn’t a lot that I can do. 

Have you heard back yet? If not I hope you do soon. 

kristen74

Bumblebee1814 said:

kristen74 said:

Bumblebee1814 said:

So finally received a response from DWP that I was not eligible for the first CoL payment as I received a nil award during the relevant assessment period even though my entire UC payment is paid to my landlord for rent. 

That’s unfortunate all the waiting stressing worrying I do hope you get somewhere despite what they have said and I am rooting for you and anyone in the same position. Was response by email ? 

I received a response on my UC Journal, which has a letter attached. 

I’ve just politely pointed out why I believe I am eligible referring to their own guidance. If they still say no I guess there isn’t a lot that I can do. 

Have you heard back yet? If not I hope you do soon. 

    No unfortunately not heard a thing yet