Universal credit new rates unpaid

tore_cherubs

The rates for universal credit were increased from 8 April 2024, with DWP delaying payment based on an individual's assessment period.

My assessment period starts on the 25th of each month, so I expected this month to receive the full month at the new rates, plus the underpayment from 8th to 24th April (paid at the old rate when in fact the new rates were in force).

However I only received a standard month at new rate- no catch up.

Has anyone else had the same issue and/or successfully challenged DWP on this?

Yamor

The new rates came into force from the start of the first AP beginning on or after 8th April. So you were not underpaid.

Newcad

You are misunderstanding how it works.

The new UC rates apply from the start of your first AP following the rate change.

There is no backpayment for the period between the change of the rate (the 8th this year) to the start of your AP following that change.

UC works in full month periods (Your AP).

And to anticipate the next question -

No - that does not mean that you lose out - because it will be the same next year.

You will get next years rate starting on your first AP following that rate change.

You get 12 months on each years rate, it just starts that 12 months on a different date for different people depending on their AP.

tore_cherubs

I understand what you're saying, however I do lose out. To crystallise what I mean take for example two people ending their UC claims on 7 May. The first person's AP was 8 April to 7 May - they get a full month at the new rates. The other AP is 7 April to 6th May - they get one day at the new rates.

huckster

Well complain to your local MP about the legislation that was passed.

No point contacting UC

TheShape

tore_cherubs said:

I understand what you're saying, however I do lose out. To crystallise what I mean take for example two people ending their UC claims on 7 May. The first person's AP was 8 April to 7 May - they get a full month at the new rates. The other AP is 7 April to 6th May - they get one day at the new rates.

In your example, the person with the AP 7th Apr to 6th May receives no days at the new rate.  

They get 7th Apr to 6th May at the old rate and aren't entitled after that.

Muttleythefrog

tore_cherubs said:

I understand what you're saying, however I do lose out. To crystallise what I mean take for example two people ending their UC claims on 7 May. The first person's AP was 8 April to 7 May - they get a full month at the new rates. The other AP is 7 April to 6th May - they get one day at the new rates.

If I would you just chalk it up. The reality is Universal Credit tries to simplify the world of benefits administration... operating to monthly assessment periods is one such thing and yes that'll mean swing and roundabouts. If you look for imperfections or unfairness you'll be dead before you list all. Is it fair someone with £16k in savings gets no U/C while someone with £15,999 could get a lot. The uprating of benefits itself is a delayed process anyway.. happening way after the rate used to calculate it... it's more significant than a month.

If you want to raise the issue it will have to be at political level... it's a matter of law.

peteuk

I would also add its they way its applied to everyone, so again no point going to DWP/UC with a complaint.  

tore_cherubs

Thanks for all your comments, unfortunately you're all no doubt correct that there's no hope of getting the rate applied on the same day for everybody, however unequal that may be!

KxMx

Everyone on UC gets 12 payments at the new rate. Some get it sooner than others.

I understand your annoyance- I myself have to wait until my 2nd June payment to see the increase - but at the end of the day I still get 12 payments at the increased rate. 

Danien

KxMx said:

Everyone on UC gets 12 payments at the new rate. Some get it sooner than others.

I understand your annoyance- I myself have to wait until my 2nd June payment to see the increase - but at the end of the day I still get 12 payments at the increased rate. 

Yes, but the point is that rate increases take into account changes to the cost of living due to inflation. The cost of living from the rate change is the same for everyone, yet depending on your assessment period you don't get uprated till later, yet the cost of living is the same for everyone.

I agree it's a political matter, and also agree with another poster that if you list all unfairness in the benefits system you'd be there a whole assessment period! 

One that stands out for me right now are no pension credit for mixed age couples, even when the younger member has given up work to be a carer for the pensioner, or when the younger member has a debilitating illness. This means some pensioners are not eligible for the minimum income guarantee of pension credit, and don't even get the pensioner premium of ESA if the couple are migrated to UC first. The pensioner loses A LOT of money in comparison to others.