Universal credit savings help

allison445

I contacted them via my journal and had no reply so I phoned the helpline and was told they had no idea why the payments had stopped but they would leave a message for a case manager to contact me by 6 o'clock that day.
I received a message in my journal a few hours later advising me payment had been blocked until I made an appointment to verify my capital / savings.

I called the helpline the next day to find out how to make an appointment and they sent an email to my local job centre asking them to do that, An hour later I received a call asking if an appointment the next day was suitable this was fine for me I asked what info I needed to provide and was told to bring the same as I had used to verify the savings the last time I had never been asked to verify my savings before so I had no idea and either did she.
I contacted the benefits advisor from my housing association who advised me to take 4 months worth of statements for all accounts and proof of cost of living and back dated benefit amount.

I printed it all off and went to the appointment the person had no idea about disregards and savings verification and contacted my case manager to find out what info was needed she replied telling him to scan and send everything I had provided to her.
I am now waiting to hear what happens now but fear I may have messed up by being ill informed of the process and what does and does not count as savings/capital
Thanks everyone for the help 👍🏻

allison445

I asked how long this would take and was told it could be over 12 weeks as it has to go to a decision maker.

The other issue is the disregard for the back dated payment ends on the 11th December 2024 so I am unsure if I need to notify them of this and if this will mess up my claim again its all very confusing.

Newcad

If you are struggling for money then ask them about a "Hardship Payment".

Although I wouldnt expect to get one if you have savings that you could live off.

As for what has happened - no idea.

Although if they do have a new automatic system in place like NedS said then I know where I'd be looking.

PS. Sorry @TimeLord1 for some reason I didn't get a notification or email of your ping, we'll blame the forum software for that.
Edit - Sunday morning 09:00 and it's now popped up on the notifications icon, I haven't checked my email yet.

allison445

There reason behind stopping the payment is to make sure I get the correct payments which I can understand but I am also a bit frustrated that they did not make me aware of the disregards at the start of the claim in January as had they done so I would have had well under the 16000 and the deductions would have been less I just told them everything I had including my benefit payments for that month so they have been underpaying me for months,

As there system has now been updated to deduct benefit back payments it now looks like I have spend thousands in a month had I not spent some savings last month on a holiday and a bed this would never have come to light.
The advisor at the job centre did not have a clue about any of it and did say stopping payment and advising clients to make an appointment seems to be the default when they do not know how to deal with it.

I feel so bad for the people who have no buffer and rely on this money its all too complicated and stressful.

I will keep this thread updated on the outcome and how long it takes as it may be useful to others in the same situation.

allison445

I have just received a few messages on my journal the first being that I did not supply information for 2 of my accounts I handed 4 months worth of bank statements for all accounts into the job centre so likes like they have been misplaced,

The 2nd message was asking for the dates I received the back dated ADP payment and cost of living payments and amounts.

The last message was informing me a decision maker may not accept the evidence provided as some accounts are in my maiden name and some in my married name although I am divorced as I had children I continued to use my married name and have been doing so for over 30 years,

allison445

Quick update on this I have today received a decision on the capital/savings they have allowed the disregard for the back dated ADP payment and November and December payments have now been released and received as the disregard is no longer applied as it is now over 12 months the December payment reflects this.

There is no mention of disregard for the cost of living payments is it worth while perusing this and how would I go about it.

Thanks