Universal Credit/Benefits system

[Petcha]

Just a heads up. I logged on to UC yesterday for the fist time in a few weeks and I had a notification on 1st June to say that they are now expecting people to stick to their commitments again. So maybe if you havent been on for a while log on and see what's expected.

Edit: Coincidentally just had a phone call from local JC and they are not insisting you look for work, and won't be sanctioned if you don't look for work.

When you say 'look for work' what exactly does that entail?

I'm starting to get a little worried as my industry is very slowly waking up, and I do spend about an hour a day looking at the job sites and making the odd application. There are however literally hundreds of applications for every job. What kind of proof do they need?

 

[cyril_smear]

I am registered as a lodger too. Told them on the first call it was an 'informal arrangement' without paperwork etc. They said that was fine and none was needed. This may change over the coming days/weeks/months of course

My previous landlord who i was a lodger with was a housing officer, and when I got laid off I was sceptical about getting the housing element because of the arrangement and he said it was no problem; no skin off his nose. I didn't need it in the end as I got more work, and then a council property.

 

[Petcha]

My previous landlord who i was a lodger with was a housing officer, and when I got laid off I was sceptical about getting the housing element because of the arrangement and he said it was no problem; no skin off his nose. I didn't need it in the end as I got more work, and then a council property.

I was wondering about this. I rent too - the landlord doesn't pay council tax for me though. Will that be a problem down the track?

 

[cyril_smear]

When you say 'look for work' what exactly does that entail?

I'm starting to get a little worried as my industry is very slowly waking up, and I do spend about an hour a day looking at the job sites and making the odd application. There are however literally hundreds of applications for every job. What kind of proof do they need?

Okay so I messaged using UC my online account yesterday and then got the phone call this morning. I'd asked specifically about sanctions and the woman I spoke to said that I don't need to update my journal and their won't be any sanctions unless/until I'm told otherwise.

 

[cyril_smear]

I was wondering about this. I rent too - the landlord doesn't pay council tax for me though. Will that be a problem down the track?

I would imagine so, yes. The computers all speak to each other in 2020.

 

[cyril_smear]

Please note, due to the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, there is currently no requirement to search for employment. Although this is being reviewed and we will update you of any changes that may occur.


Response to my online UC account received at 1000am this morning.

 

[sovereignb]

Please note, due to the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, there is currently no requirement to search for employment. Although this is being reviewed and we will update you of any changes that may occur.


Response to my online UC account received at 1000am this morning.

Hmmm ive been updating it with my job search anyhow. One way to keep occupied at least

 

[cyril_smear]

Hmmm ive been updating it with my job search anyhow. One way to keep occupied at least

That's true; it keeps the mind ticking. But some people get really stressed out with sticking to commitments on UC, so to know you don't have to do it at the moment will be a relief to some... people can still look for work but wouldn't have to jump through all the usual hoops i.e you can do your job search in your own time and don't have to worry about declaring every single action you take.

I should add the caveat that the response I got was an individual response to a specific query I made. It might be worth folk just dropping a message on the UC website for clarity, because I wouldn't put it past the UC people to sanction claimants for not job searching during ''lock down''

 

[sovereignb]

That's true; it keeps the mind ticking. But some people get really stressed out with sticking to commitments on UC, so to know you don't have to do it at the moment will be a relief to some... people can still look for work but wouldn't have to jump through all the usual hoops i.e you can do your job search in your own time and don't have to worry about declaring every single action you take.

I should add the caveat that the response I got was an individual response to a specific query I made. It might be worth folk just dropping a message on the UC website for clarity, because I wouldn't put it past the UC people to sanction claimants for not job searching during ''lock down''

Yeah I understand...the usual commitments are what put me off applying for a few months. They haven't even processed my claim as yet. I honestly hope to fuck its not a long term thing

 

[cyril_smear]

Yeah I understand...the usual commitments are what put me off applying for a few months. They haven't even processed my claim as yet. I honestly hope to fuck its not a long term thing

not processed as in you haven't had a payment? When did you make the claim and when did you last get a payment from work?

I hate to tell you this but I had to make a months salary last me a few days short of 2 months, and I wasn't entitled to the housing element of UC or or council tax deductions in that time.

You know you can make a claim for an advance whilst waiting for your first payment that is paid back in instalments over upto 12 months.

 

[MrSki]

You know you can make a claim for an advance whilst waiting for your first payment that is paid back in instalments over upto 12 months.

i was very lucky when I signed on in Yeovil that the woman I dealt with was actually alright. Maybe it was because I was a carer for my dying brother be she actually asked if I would like the advance which was in my account the next day. She was certainly nothing like the staff at the job centre in Tottenham who were absolute cunts & sanctioned me for missing a Saturday appointment that I knew nothing about even though I was signing on at 9am on the Monday.

 

[cyril_smear]

i was very lucky when I signed on in Yeovil that the woman I dealt with was actually alright. Maybe it was because I was a carer for my dying brother be she actually asked if I would like the advance which was in my account the next day. She was certainly nothing like the staff at the job centre in Tottenham who were absolute cunts & sanctioned me for missing a Saturday appointment that I knew nothing about even though I was signing on at 9am on the Monday.

don't forget to appeal any sanction. Did they send you a letter, or send you a notification on your UC account online telling you about the appointment?

 

[MrSki]

don't forget to appeal any sanction. Did they send you a letter, or send you a notification on your UC account online telling you about the appointment?

This was JSA in 2016. I would certainly appeal anything now & also go to Citizens Advice too. No they told me nothing about being sanctioned until I complained about not getting any money. They never sent a letter saying I had a Saturday interview & as far as I am concerned they didn't send it so they would meet their sanctioning target.

 

[cyril_smear]

This was JSA in 2016. I would certainly appeal anything now & also go to Citizens Advice too. No they told me nothing about being sanctioned until I complained about not getting any money. They never sent a letter saying I had a Saturday interview & as far as I am concerned they didn't send it so they would meet their sanctioning target.

I get ya; you're up to date with things now and know how it works a bit more it seems.

I was lucky that the adviser I had when I first had to sign on back in c.2014 was a lovely, understanding person. Sadly, I've had to go back on benefits a few times since then and some of them really are horrible people... they maybe over worked, with little support, and probably get a lot of stick but that's no excuse to look down on people.

 

[sovereignb]

not processed as in you haven't had a payment? When did you make the claim and when did you last get a payment from work?

I hate to tell you this but I had to make a months salary last me a few days short of 2 months, and I wasn't entitled to the housing element of UC or or council tax deductions in that time.

You know you can make a claim for an advance whilst waiting for your first payment that is paid back in instalments over upto 12 months.

Cheers. I'm not the credit type though lol and thankfully my mum helped me out. Applied about 5 weeks back but on checking my account this eve they paid me last week, so that's a relief.
So I assume the job hunt commitments are the same for people that were on UC before the pandemic?

 

[josef1878 2.0]

Cheers. I'm not the credit type though lol and thankfully my mum helped me out. Applied about 5 weeks back but on checking my account this eve they paid me last week, so that's a relief.
So I assume the job hunt commitments are the same for people that were on UC before the pandemic?

Yes

 

[Raheem]

don't forget to appeal any sanction. Did they send you a letter, or send you a notification on your UC account online telling you about the appointment?

Also check for any error, against you or in your favour. They are not currently being proactive in that regard.

 

[Petcha]

Just wanted to say thank you to you lot for the advice I’ve got here, particularly Fedayn who has given me advice in PMs. You’re a great lot, I’m new to all this malarkey.

im sure I’ll get a job soon but then I was born an optimist.. till then, I’ll be skipping Tesco finest

 

[cyril_smear]

Cheers. I'm not the credit type though lol and thankfully my mum helped me out. Applied about 5 weeks back but on checking my account this eve they paid me last week, so that's a relief.
So I assume the job hunt commitments are the same for people that were on UC before the pandemic?

Your commitments - what you need to do for Universal Credit
Your commitments set out what you must do in return for getting Universal Credit. This might include things like looking for work, applying for jobs or doing training.

You need to agree this with your work coach. What is in your commitments depends on your circumstances - for example:

• your health
• if you are a carer
• if you have young children
• your work situation

Commitments during the coronavirus outbreak
From 30 June we are reintroducing commitments. This means we will contact you to discuss what steps you are taking to look for work. You do not need to call us.

Depending on your circumstances, you should prepare, search or be available for work if it is safe to do so.

Use the 'Find a job' service to search for and apply for jobs: Find a job (opens new tab).

You still need to tell us if anything changes - use the Report a change of circumstances link on your homepage.

Once you have agreed your commitments with us, sanctions may be applied if you do not keep them.


Underlined in red; I contacted them saying I wasn't prepared to look for work at the moment(not because I don't want to work but because I'm middle aged, overweight and have being a heavy smoker for 25 years), and got a phone call and notification saying I don't need to look for work or update the journal and won't be sanctioned until they say different.

Edit: and the last time I looked on the dot gov site the advice was still to stay at home as much as possible.

 

[Calamity1971]

A friend of mine is getting 3 notifications a day. Crap courses, and all saying that they're voluntary ' at the moment'. He just got this, and is fairly angry considering he can't even afford to get broadband in his house and comes to mine to use my WiFi for jobsearches. People are struggling to eat and pay for utilities FFS .
What fucking planet are they on!

General Information - which may / may not be appropriate for you.

Information Regarding Low Cost Computers

Get Online @ Home is an initiative run by Computer Recyclers UK who provide low cost refurbished computers, and they work in partnership with Carphone Warehouse who help you compare the best broadband packages in your area and can help find the right deal for your home.

Computer Recyclers UK provide low cost refurbished desktop, laptop & tablet computers to anyone.

To qualify for the cheaper cost Window 10 PC’s from £99, Windows 10 Laptops from £169 or Windows 10 Tablets from £139 price you must be either from:

• A member of a low-income family receiving any state benefits based on need
• Have a disability

If you are not eligible, their computers are still available.

Prices are as per below and Microsoft Office is not included;

• PC's from £119
• Laptops from £189
• Tablets from £159

For more information please check out www.getonlineathome.org/

Thank You

 

[Badgers]

Got a follow up call this afternoon.
Missed a few messages/tasks over the last week so hopefully nothing nasty.

 

[cyril_smear]

Got a follow up call this afternoon.
Missed a few messages/tasks over the last week so hopefully nothing nasty.

so they are expecting you to look for work?

I'd noticed that they aren't sending out emails to say you have got an alert on your UC online account any more.

 

[Badgers]

so they are expecting you to look for work?

I'd noticed that they aren't sending out emails to say you have got an alert on your UC online account any more.

I did get a text message (hardly ever check them ) but missed it.

This is the journal entry:

Good afternoon,
I am your Universal Credit Personal Work Coach. I will be calling you on Thursday 16th July 2020 between 13:00 and 16:30 to help you with any questions that you might have regarding the service. The call will last up to 30 minutes.

The call will be from an 0800 640 4999. Please check your account to ensure that we hold the correct telephone number for you. If it is incorrect please change via your account. If the time of the appointment is inconvenient, please leave a message in your journal with a more suitable time. I look forward to speaking to you to explain what support and assistance we can offer you.

 

[cyril_smear]

I did get a text message (hardly ever check them ) but missed it.

This is the journal entry:

I dunno your circumstances, but if you are in the camp(like me) who isn't happy to risk going back to work it might be worth asking them. If they say no you don't need to jobsesrch then it takes the pressure off doesn't it?

 

[Badgers]

I dunno your circumstances, but if you are in the camp(like me) who isn't happy to risk going back to work it might be worth asking them. If they say no you don't need to jobsesrch then it takes the pressure off doesn't it?

Thing is I did/do work from home but in the events industry.
So lockdown did not (really) effect me personally but the events industry is one that is still doing little or nothing.
For me 'going back to work' will be March next year when I have an event to work on but at this stage nobody is keen to commit money for three days in a venue with 25k+ people.

 

[Badgers]

A tweet from an Urb legend from times gone by...

 

[Petcha]

I did get a text message (hardly ever check them ) but missed it.

This is the journal entry:

I had my meeting with my work coach. It was hilarious. He didn’t have any idea of what I actually did, and also claimed I couldn’t claim UC and ESA at the same time. He ended up transferring me to his supervisor who apologised.

The ‘work coach’ sounded about 15. I guess they’ve had to recruit in a hurry.

 

[Badgers]

Well that was oddly pleasant

I had an offer of 3 months part time (self employed) today starting from 03/08.

Told the UC bloke who said that my UC account will remain open for 6 months and if there is a shortfall (after tax and expenses etc) then they will continue paying me. He also asked if there was travel involved as they will cover some of the season ticket costs. Told him I would be working from home mostly but might need (due to the work I am doing) a new Laptop/Chromebook and he said UC will cover the costs for this also they will cover some or all of the costs of suit/shirts/shoes or other work apparel if I need them plus support with any business travel or other business expenses.

 

[cyril_smear]

Well that was oddly pleasant

I had an offer of 3 months part time (self employed) today starting from 03/08.

Told the UC bloke who said that my UC account will remain open for 6 months and if there is a shortfall (after tax and expenses etc) then they will continue paying me. He also asked if there was travel involved as they will cover some of the season ticket costs. Told him I would be working from home mostly but might need (due to the work I am doing) a new Laptop/Chromebook and he said UC will cover the costs for this also they will cover some or all of the costs of suit/shirts/shoes or other work apparel if I need them plus support with any business travel or other business expenses.

Good to hear you got work.

Did he give details of how to claim the cost of laptop etc? I know they will give you a months bus(sometimes train too) pass when you find work.

 

[Badgers]

Good to hear you got work.

Did he give details of how to claim the cost of laptop etc? I know they will give you a months bus(sometimes train too) pass when you find work.

He told me to update my journal with what I need.
Sounded like if I look up a machine that will do what I need they will front the money and then I send the receipt.
Would be nice to get a new suit/shirt/shoes but I don't need them and unlikely I will need much/any travel.