losing money on universal credit - advice?

flightlessfox
flightlessfox Posts: 3 Newbie
in Benefits & tax credits
Hello,

I was receiving income based Jobseekers allowance until December, when I was switched to Universal Credit.
On Jobseekers, I got the disability rate (90ish a week - 360 a month) as I receive PIP and have a chronic/permanent mental illness.
Now on universal credit, I'm receiving 250 a month, and have been told there is no enhanced rate and I have to deal with losing that 110. I was wondering if anyone had advice on how to deal with this as it is a significant amount of money and I'm unsure what to do.
«1

Comments

  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Are you able to work? You were on jobseekers so I assume yes


    How is the job hunt going?
  • flightlessfox
    flightlessfox Posts: 3 Newbie
    Not well, sadly. I have no experience in work / education past high school and haven't been able to secure a volunteer space in order to get experience either. I've had maybe 5 interviews in about a year, none of them coming to fruition, unfortunately.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    flightlessfox wrote: »
    Not well, sadly. I have no experience in work / education past high school and haven't been able to secure a volunteer space in order to get experience either. I've had maybe 5 interviews in about a year, none of them coming to fruition, unfortunately.
    I think you need to be sending out a lot more applications, for realistic starter positions.


    Part time work would be best, especially as you get your foot in the door.


    How old are you? Some organisations offer placements to help get experience
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 16,455 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    Do they still have specialist disability advisors at the JCs or is it all bundled in withe the work coach role now? If the OP has been trying to find a job for an extended period I would hope that they are getting effective advice from JC staff. They should be in a better position to know the type of job the OP is suited to. That would be better than a scatter gun approach of applying for any and every job no matter how unsuitable.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,932 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper
    flightlessfox wrote: »
    Hello,

    I was receiving income based Jobseekers allowance until December, when I was switched to Universal Credit.
    On Jobseekers, I got the disability rate (90ish a week - 360 a month) as I receive PIP and have a chronic/permanent mental illness.
    Now on universal credit, I'm receiving 250 a month, and have been told there is no enhanced rate and I have to deal with losing that 110. I was wondering if anyone had advice on how to deal with this as it is a significant amount of money and I'm unsure what to do.
    There's no disability premiums payable on UC. There will be in the future when people eventually move accross but for those that moved due to change of circumstances won't be paid the premiums.
  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,049 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Why were you switched to Universal Credit? Did you have a change of circumstances?
  • Eric_the_half_a_bee
    Eric_the_half_a_bee Posts: 2,296 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    flightlessfox wrote: »
    Not well, sadly. I have no experience in work / education past high school and haven't been able to secure a volunteer space in order to get experience either.

    What kind of work are you looking for experience in?
  • flightlessfox
    flightlessfox Posts: 3 Newbie
    I was asked if I wanted to switch to UC and I said yes - I was told I wouldn't lose any money. I even met with my job coach yesterday and she herself didn't know there was no disability premium, I had to have a conversation with someone who handles the actual claim about it. But if there isn't any, that's that I suppose. Thank you for the help.

    I spend about 40ish hours a week looking for work, like I'm told to do (I time myself to make sure I get it right.) I apply for anything on a basic level, despite having no experience in anything. For example warehouse work, like packing and taking stock, to call centre jobs, or retail. I know applying for everything seems like a haphazard approach but with no experience or real career choice due to qualifications I'm doing what I can.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    flightlessfox wrote: »
    I was asked if I wanted to switch to UC and I said yes - I was told I wouldn't lose any money. I even met with my job coach yesterday and she herself didn't know there was no disability premium, I had to have a conversation with someone who handles the actual claim about it. But if there isn't any, that's that I suppose. Thank you for the help.

    I spend about 40ish hours a week looking for work, like I'm told to do (I time myself to make sure I get it right.) I apply for anything on a basic level, despite having no experience in anything. For example warehouse work, like packing and taking stock, to call centre jobs, or retail. I know applying for everything seems like a haphazard approach but with no experience or real career choice due to qualifications I'm doing what I can.
    Have you tried recruitment agents?
  • bigbill
    bigbill Posts: 928 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary
    You should sue your work coach for that bad advice and your actual long term loss for the past and future!
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards