Problems migrating from tax credits to universal credit

helsbells17

Hello, is anyone else experiencing issues trying to migrate from tax credits to universal credit? 

We've been getting tax credits for years and had the impression that migrating to UC would be a simple and painless process but instead it's turning out to be invasive, patronising and a lot of hassle! 

My husband is self employed and is expected to attend an interview at the job centre to prove he's 'gainfully employed' - surely we could just provide the information they need electronically in some way rather than him having to lose earnings to prove himself (ironic really!)

As I'm not working as I look after our two children full time I'm also expected to look for workdespite making it clear to them that I am not in a position to work.

I just feel that we've been sold a lie as there was no mention of either of these things until I went through the rigmarole of filling in all the many questions on the claim application. Has anyone else experienced similar problems??

Many thanks

marcia_

helsbells17 said:

Hello, is anyone else experiencing issues trying to migrate from tax credits to universal credit? 

We've been getting tax credits for years and had the impression that migrating to UC would be a simple and painless process but instead it's turning out to be invasive, patronising and a lot of hassle! 

My husband is self employed and is expected to attend an interview at the job centre to prove he's 'gainfully employed' - surely we could just provide the information they need electronically in some way rather than him having to lose earnings to prove himself (ironic really!)

As I'm not working as I look after our two children full time I'm also expected to look for workdespite making it clear to them that I am not in a position to work.

I just feel that we've been sold a lie as there was no mention of either of these things until I went through the rigmarole of filling in all the many questions on the claim application. Has anyone else experienced similar problems??

Many thanks

 How old are your children 

peteuk

Depending on the ages of your children and if you or they have any disability or illness, then you will be given an expected level work commitment.  It is expected you spend this time applying for a job and attending interviews.  Should you refuge an employment offer then it will impact your claim.

Put another way you cant choose not to work without a reason.

The other area to look at is your partners income and if it reaches a set amount (I can’t remember the actual term) but basically if they earn over a certain amount then it will effect your expected work commitment.

helsbells17

Thank you for your answers, I think the point I'm trying to make is that we've basically been lied to (I mean all people that are migrating) as it's been implied that it's a seamless transition and it definitely isn't. Is no one else angry about this?

poppy12345

You haven’t been lied to. You can’t expect to claim a benefit like UC and not have to go through the same process as everyone else. 

Yes your husband will need to attend an appointment because he’s  self employed, this applies to all those that are self employed. He will need to make sure he attends if you want to continue claiming UC. 

How old are your children? You didn’t answer that question. 

I claimed UC for my daughter back in 2021 and didn’t find the form that difficult at all. 

helsbells17

Sorry but you're still not getting the point. Those migrating from tax credits have been given an untrue impression about the process. It's not until you complete the form that you find out about the 'need' for job centre interviews. Why can self employed people's proof of gainful employment not be provided electronically? Why do people need to take time off work to prove they work hard enough? Why are families not able to have a choice about how many parents work?

My children are 11 and 8 and home educated.

tomtom256

helsbells17 said:

Sorry but you're still not getting the point. Those migrating from tax credits have been given an untrue impression about the process. It's not until you complete the form that you find out about the 'need' for job centre interviews. Why can self employed people's proof of gainful employment not be provided electronically? Why do people need to take time off work to prove they work hard enough? Why are families not able to have a choice about how many parents work?

My children are 11 and 8 and home educated.

Because that is how the benefit works, each benefit has it's own criteria and hoops to jump through to claim them. The notice issued prior to the letter has all the info in it and so does gov.uk.
Yes, you may not want to do all that, but you will need to if you still want support from the government.

Spoonie_Turtle

helsbells17 said:

Sorry but you're still not getting the point. Those migrating from tax credits have been given an untrue impression about the process. It's not until you complete the form that you find out about the 'need' for job centre interviews. Why can self employed people's proof of gainful employment not be provided electronically? Why do people need to take time off work to prove they work hard enough? Why are families not able to have a choice about how many parents work?

My children are 11 and 8 and home educated.

The neutral, factual answer to that is because the state decides that's how it's going to administrate the benefit, and it sets the criteria for the benefit.

I see your point and your position (especially re: homeschooling) but this isn't a forum to discuss it, per the stickied post at the top of the board.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/365935/its-about-helping-people-get-their-entitlement-not-about-benefits-policy

poppy12345

helsbells17 said:

Sorry but you're still not getting the point. Those migrating from tax credits have been given an untrue impression about the process. It's not until you complete the form that you find out about the 'need' for job centre interviews. Why can self employed people's proof of gainful employment not be provided electronically? Why do people need to take time off work to prove they work hard enough? Why are families not able to have a choice about how many parents work?

My children are 11 and 8 and home educated.

The rules are not new, UC hasn't changed at all. You had plenty of time to research what was expected of you when the time came for you to migrate across. Of course you don't have to do any of this but then your UC will likely end if you don't do what is expected of you. This includes your husband. 

peteuk

helsbells17 said:

Sorry but you're still not getting the point. Those migrating from tax credits have been given an untrue impression about the process. It's not until you complete the form that you find out about the 'need' for job centre interviews. Why can self employed people's proof of gainful employment not be provided electronically? Why do people need to take time off work to prove they work hard enough? Why are families not able to have a choice about how many parents work?

My children are 11 and 8 and home educated.

For me your mixing two things together, firstly migration and then the UC process.

To answer the first item, migration is fairly easy.  Your receive a letter that informs you that your TC will cease and that you can apply for UC.  In doing so you will receive a years transition protection.  

Your application to UC fits into the rules of UC application and you have to conform to them as does every person that applies.   Transition from TC to UC does not afford you any special treatment to avoid these. 

As your OH is self employed they will be afforded a years start up period, you will be expected to look for work, the level of this will depend on your children’s age and your/children's health. 

Personally if your OH pulls in enough wage to cover your cost of living then sure you can choose not to work, however UC places certain expectations on those claiming.   As your youngest is over 5 and under 12 you will be expected to spend up to 30 hours a week looking for work and be available to take a job of up to 30 hours a week (if you are offered one).   Home schooling is treated as any school so, you are still expected to look for and be available to work for the 30 hours a week. 

You can, if you’re so upset about the process stop your transition, however as you have started the application your TC has already been stopped.  You have the choice.

kaMelo

helsbells17 said:

Sorry but you're still not getting the point. Those migrating from tax credits have been given an untrue impression about the process. It's not until you complete the form that you find out about the 'need' for job centre interviews. Why can self employed people's proof of gainful employment not be provided electronically? Why do people need to take time off work to prove they work hard enough? Why are families not able to have a choice about how many parents work?

My children are 11 and 8 and home educated.

To imply or give an impression that things would be the same on UC as it had been on Tax Credits would be a misrepresentation, they are different benefits with completely different qualifying criteria. What have you read that gave the impression nothing would be different?

People are always free to choose whether to work or not but you're going to have to fund that choice yourselves.  If however you wish to claim help through UC you cannot just choose not to work. Everyone is a jobseeker under UC unless they are deemed not to be due to health conditions or caring responsibilities.

It may still be possible you are not required to seek work if your husbands earnings reach a certain threshold although given he is self employed and you don't work I'm not quite sure how your AET and individual CET interact with each other.

Just to float an idea to everyone else here, would home schooling children be a satisfactory reason to reduce someone's individual CET?  It's a stab in the dark I'll admit, but I have no idea if it's something that may be considered.