Universal credit child element

strugglingsingledad

Hi everyone 😊.

I’ve just received my UC payment (assessment period 28th may- 29th June) my sons last day at college was the 26th June.. UC have refused to pay the child element as the day he finished was 2 days before the end date of assessment! My son is not working as yet and cannot receive his own Claim until 22nd of July but this apparently cannot be back dated to the 28th may. I have already used the money needed to feed and send my son to college and will have to continue to do so until he receives payment! How on earth can someone at UC not just deduct 2 days equivalent money and pay up until he was at college? Surely this must be an error? it has also left me unable to afford this months rent 🤦‍♂️

Help or advice would be greatly appreciated 😣

Woodstok2000

Unfortunately it looks like this is correct. From gov.uk:

"Universal credit uses a whole-month approach when calculating entitlement. The DWP does not have to make a pro-rata payment when a change of circumstances occurs within a monthly assessment period."

strugglingsingledad

it’s ridiculous especially when it states that I would receive the child element up until 26th June . If they had stated that I would only receive it until 28th march I maybe could have planned for that 🤦‍♂️…. I bet if I worked for 28 days out of the 30 in the assessment period they would demand their share ….. double standards again Dwp…. 😒

KxMx

Unfortunately this is correct, the circumstances on the last day of your Assessment Period are the most important and decide your payment.

As your son was not in education on this date, you aren't eligible for the child element.

teaselMay

It's the same if you move and the rent changes. Just the way it works. I lost several hundred in housing element when I moved mid month from private rental to shared ownership.

Isthisforreal99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82063988#Comment_82063988

No double standards from DWP whos job is to apply the legislation

strugglingsingledad

? No double standards?? My mother recently passed away in a care home and the DWP sent ME a letter stating that as my she had died the day she was in receipt of of her benefit I had to repay it as it was classed as an overpayment! It’s no wonder people don’t inform them of changes…. I understand they have a difficult job but how can anyone of any moral decency think that is the right thing to do is beyond comprehension

Isthisforreal99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82064264#Comment_82064264

Not sure where the 'double standards' here in that example. Yet again legislation dictates what they do and as unfortunate as the circumstance is if the payment was due to be recovered then they are duty bound.

Parliament makes the rules not DWP.

Spoonie_Turtle

It also works the other way, if you become entitled to e.g. higher rent because you've moved or the caring element or have a new child partway through the month, you get the full payment for it not partial (or none). Not that this helps you but it's consistently applied. Some win, unfortunately some lose.

kaMelo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82064264#Comment_82064264

I hear the frustration but, as you appreciate yourself, people have a job to do according to the legislation in place. Whilst they can be sympathetic they can't not do something just because to you it seems immoral.

Having said that, even though DWP have written to you asking for the money there is no obligation on you to repay it and you can ignore the request. If any overpayment has happened then it is your mother's estate that owes the money and the obligation is on the executor of her estate to repay any overpayment.

Also, sorry for your loss.

huckster

Are you 100% sure the college course finished on 26 June. That might be the day he last attended in person, but what is the date the college notes as the end of the course? Ask the college.