Universal credit advice

itsalldrivingmemad

My daughter was in receipt of UC prior to starting university. She put a message on her journal to say starting uni 23/9 and to cancel her claim 22/9
Her assessment period is 24/8 to 23/9.

UC cancelled her claim back to 23/8. After lots of phone calls and promises of call back ( she can no longer write on her journal) she asked for a mandatory reconsideration and they came back with this.  

‘As your education started on 23/09/2024 this would have fell into the universal credit assessment period of 24/08/2024 to 23/09/2024, this means you would not have been entitled to a payment on 30/09/2024 as you were not eligible on a day within the assessment period due to being a student.’ So 1 day not entitled (23/9 when she started university course)and they don’t pay anything? It doesn’t make sense to me.   Can someone please confirm if this is correct or is she has a chance of appeal  TIA

Spoonie_Turtle

Assuming the uni course is full-time, and she's not in circumstances that allow her to claim UC whilst being a student*, that is correct.  UC is based on the circumstances on the last day of the assessment period, it's not worked out as a partial payment for being eligible some of the time.

*can double check here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students#studying-full-time

itsalldrivingmemad

Ah ok thank you. Just annoying that her assessment period was that 1 day out. 

Thank you so much for your reply 

Newcad

It was unfortunate timing.

Changes of circumstances (usually*) apply back to the start of the AP in which they happen.

*I say usually because there are a few exceptions.

So even just one day before the end of the AP applies right back to the start of that AP.

tifo

UC have it worked out on how not to pay money when circumstances change.

peteuk

tifo said:

UC have it worked out on how not to pay money when circumstances change.

Not sure of your meaning behind this comment.  UC didn’t make the start date of the assessment period but it is well documentaries that a CoC within an assessment period ultimately has an effect on the claim for that assessment period, 

Spoonie_Turtle

And if circumstances change to increase money you're entitled to in the calculation - such as moving somewhere with higher rent, or a drop in savings - you get that amount paid for the full AP even if it only applies for the last day of it.