Universal Credit and Social Tariff

KCJA1989

Hi all,

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this, wasn't sure.

I am in the process of moving into a new property. I am in receipt of Universal Credit. I have contacted BT and accepted their social tariff broadband offer (Essentials, I think, £23 per month?). That was all find, unfortunately today I received a nil award for my Universal Credit payment as I have recently started a new job and with the final pay of the old and the new, I was in receipt of too much in wages. This will not be a problem from next month (nowhere near!). Will this affect the broadband package? In terms of checks, what happens? Do I need to do anything about this?

Clearly, this is a one-off and I will be in receipt of Universal Credit with an amount as usual after this period.

Thanks for any help in advance.

HillStreetBlues

BT state they do checks every year, if you have passed the 1st one then the next will be about 12 months time.

KCJA1989

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think it would matter that the assessment period was a nil amount. Does this mean my Universal Credit claim would still be active as it was an anomaly?

Thanks.

HillStreetBlues

KCJA1989 said:

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think it would matter that the assessment period was a nil amount. Does this mean my Universal Credit claim would still be active as it was an anomaly?

Thanks.

I can't say why you passed the BT check, it could be they just look to see if a person has a claim open but without knowing the actual check they make it's just a guess.

Spoonie_Turtle

Did you get any T&Cs when you first joined the tariff?  If so, they may hold the answer.

KCJA1989

Thanks for the replies. 

@HillStreetBlues - I'm assuming that when I applied for the broadband, my most recent payment was not a nil amount, perhaps not. Either way, will the check have been done there and then when I gave my details? They asked me for NI Number, etc. 

@Spoonie_Turtle - I have had a look through the T&C, but could not find any information relating to the social tariff, let alone this issue!