NS ESA - Adding UC claim

Altior

Well, I've now pulled the trigger on the longest running UC application prep in the world!

A few quirks I must say. Online ID verification went smoothly. They say someone will call me in the next 2-3 days. All it says the call is for is to check the information I have given them.

KxMx

If they need to speak to you, an appointment should be added to your Journal.

I've had that message on my account since I applied over 4 years ago!

Some suggest it's a hangover from the pandemic when they were all working from home.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82091115#Comment_82091115

Thanks!

That part was one of the quirks. It said I had completed online ID verification successfully, then automatically moved to a page talking abut needing to bring documents into the job centre anyway. But that page didn't stay up long enough to fully read it, then this nebulous To Do appeared about needing to be ready for a call in the next 2-3 days.

So far so good anyway. I've made a journal entry about applying for SMI, which I believe a work coach will read. The instructions to do that were only listed in the audit trail (what UC calls a journal), so it was only quite accidental that I'd spotted it, which was another quirk.

Altior

I have just been notified of a scheduled 'standard identity appointment in a jobcentre'. The point of a successful online ID verification is anyone's guess 😐️

Newcad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82091743#Comment_82091743

Don't try to figure out why the UC computer does the unnecessary things that it sometimes does.
It's usually just automated systems that are not programmed well enough to cover all circumstances, so spit out unnecessary letters, appointments, an other To-Do's.
It would drive you batty trying it work it out

You may find that you'll now get another message from a human cancelling the Jobcentre ID appointment.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82091786#Comment_82091786

Thanks, the last week has been pretty challenging, multiple online systems not behaving as intended for what are ostensibly straight forward interactions! I had everything lined up how it was meant to play out, and now variables outside of my control have corrupted my planned journey. One of my considerations was online ID verification. Going to the JC to meet new people just to flash my driving licence, such a waste of time. There is so much evidence available of who I am, including already receiving ESA into the bank account nominated for UC.

Anyway, I need to calm down. Perhaps I can use the opportunity to do something else whilst I'm in town. That doesn't cost much money, ha!

Altior

Had a minor light bulb moment, if the refund of my income tax overpaid in 25/26 (discussed on page 1) is treated as earned income, I should be eligible to apply for Help To Save in the following AP. I'm sure that I could have found a way to earn £1, but this should make it more straight forward.

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109828#Comment_82109828

As I pointed out in my reply on page 1, you will need to declare the tax refund when you receive it on your journal.

UC will then need to process it manually as income - if you want it to count as income, you will need to make sure that do that correctly. Often they just either ignore it or assume it's capital as that's the easier option, or simply don't understand that it may be treated as income or capital depending on whether there were employed earnings in the tax year to which it relates. But if you want it to count as earnings to make you eligible for Help To Save, it will need to show correctly as earnings on your monthly statement.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109851#Comment_82109851

Yes, that's the plan. In my research I found that the letter from HMRC states that it must be declared to the DWP where appropriate (paraphrasing). There's no sign of any refund as yet but my tax summary is not available yet. It will be one of the moderately more complex calculations, due to the amount of savings interest and theoretically qualifying for the starter rate for savings. Plus of course, taxable unearned income from ESA.

Altior

Astonishing absolutely nobody, least of all me, in spite of all of my mitigation, I got my first AP statement today, and UC have completely screwed it up, and left the health element off my claim. Let alone not the higher rate, there's no rate. But they sent me an automated journal note at 5:15am today stating 'Our records show that you are getting: Employment and Support Allowance' 😂

I called UC and they asked me to, drum roll, add a journal note. I already added a journal note, explaining that I was a pre 2026 claimant after I'd submitted the claim. The statement deducts £632.23 off the standard award, which is the support group amount for ESA. It can't be that difficult. Can it?