Urban75 Home About Offline BrixtonBuzz Contact

Universal Credit/Benefits system

MrSki said:
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.
Click to expand...

That's what I like about the new online UC account/journal. If they make an appointment for you, it will show in your to-do list and you'll get a text alert every time they book you in. So at least now they can't get away with changing appointments behind your back!
 
Badgers said:
Well that was oddly pleasant :hmm:

I had an offer of 3 months part time (self employed) today :cool: 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 :eek: also they will cover some or all of the costs of suit/shirts/shoes or other work apparel if I need them :hmm: plus support with any business travel or other business expenses.
Click to expand...
Excellent news.

Also this Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save)
Definitely see if it would fit your circs as it's free money!

I'm going to Google all that back to work help now as Chemistry will also be starting a job shortly.
 
wtfftw said:
Excellent news.

Also this Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save)
Definitely see if it would fit your circs as it's free money!

I'm going to Google all that back to work help now as Chemistry will also be starting a job shortly.
Click to expand...
That is really good. I have another call at 10am. Oddly since I have got some work (short term contract self employed admittedly) the work coach has made ten times the effort engaging :hmm:
 
Was another pretty short but good call. The chap seems very keen to pay for things to get me back to work (self employed) so likely he has targets to attach budgets to? Roughly outlined the costs and he said that would need me to send over some links for stuff I want, they would review and then they will front the money. I will need to provide receipts for this of course.

Told me to take advantage of all the benefits (which I should have pushed for more info on) available and keep receipts for travel/tech/stuff that is essential to this. Did not give business name said they have an 'approved supplier' list and he will need me tp

Have mentioned elsewhere on the tech boards that I need a new machine (for a three month contract)

wtfftw said:
Excellent news.

Also this Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save)
Definitely see if it would fit your circs as it's free money!

I'm going to Google all that back to work help now as Chemistry will also be starting a job shortly.
Click to expand...
This is something part of UC and worth pursuing. The chap I spoke to said he was focused on 'work not benefits' so does not get involved in this sort of thing. Not sounding very 'universal' but will investigate.

There are a lot of benefits due or offered but unclaimed it seems? Not to take this thread off course but seems like a perfect time for basic income discussion to have more focus.
 
Badgers said:
Was another pretty short but good call. The chap seems very keen to pay for things to get me back to work (self employed) so likely he has targets to attach budgets to? Roughly outlined the costs and he said that would need me to send over some links for stuff I want, they would review and then they will front the money. I will need to provide receipts for this of course.
Click to expand...
It used to be a long time ago that they would give people money and they had to take the receipts in or else they'd have it taken of benefits. Of course when people started buying air max classics and such as interview clothes they quickly started giving vouchers for Matalan instead.
 
Sorry to just jump in without reading recent posts.

We've been on UC, I returned off furlough but my hours/wages are minimal, so we still got UC. Now mr csj has got 8 days work (he's a contractor).

I remember reading somewhere that if you get work to keep your UC claim open, otherwise you'll have to start again from the beginning if you need to claim again. Will they close our claim? He's told them he has work, and was asked what he expected to earn in a month, which he told them, but he'll only earn 8 days worth of that. I want to avoid the claim being shut down because in all likelihood he'll be back out of work in 8 days time (there's a chance it could continue longer but nothing's been said yet).

Anyone know? Thanks.
 
chainsawjob said:
Sorry to just jump in without reading recent posts.

We've been on UC, I returned off furlough but my hours/wages are minimal, so we still got UC. Now mr csj has got 8 days work (he's a contractor).

I remember reading somewhere that if you get work to keep your UC claim open, otherwise you'll have to start again from the beginning if you need to claim again. Will they close our claim? He's told them he has work, and was asked what he expected to earn in a month, which he told them, but he'll only earn 8 days worth of that. I want to avoid the claim being shut down because in all likelihood he'll be back out of work in 8 days time (there's a chance it could continue longer but nothing's been said yet).

Anyone know? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Don't quote me on this but: For self employed they ask for your earnings on a monthly basis. I assume it is the same for people on PAYE.
 
chainsawjob said:
Sorry to just jump in without reading recent posts.

We've been on UC, I returned off furlough but my hours/wages are minimal, so we still got UC. Now mr csj has got 8 days work (he's a contractor).

I remember reading somewhere that if you get work to keep your UC claim open, otherwise you'll have to start again from the beginning if you need to claim again. Will they close our claim? He's told them he has work, and was asked what he expected to earn in a month, which he told them, but he'll only earn 8 days worth of that. I want to avoid the claim being shut down because in all likelihood he'll be back out of work in 8 days time (there's a chance it could continue longer but nothing's been said yet).

Anyone know? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I spoke to my UCC (Universal Credit Cunt) about this sort of thing and they were surprisingly helpful.

Have started a (fairly low paying) three months self employed contract which hopefully will become longer term, plus am looking for more work.

My UC account stays open for at least six months which is good as the contract money does not quite cover my outgoings etc. The UCC told me to list my outgoings/expenses and if there is a shortfall then they will 'top it up' and if the contract does end after three months then the UC is restarted automatically.

He also said I should keep receipts for any 'essentials' needed to get me back working. They have funds/grants (not loans) to get people back to work. Makes more sense than paying out UC every month I guess :hmm:

They offered to pay for a new laptop :eek: but when I sent the specs needed said offer was scaled back to a refurbished laptop that is passable but not great. Better than nothing.
 
Thanks folks.

UCC :D I like that Badgers

That's reassuring your account stays open for 6 months. I'll check that's happening in our case, or does that automatically happen I wonder, googling hasn't seemed to give a clear answer on this as yet.

He now has a further 2 weeks work at the same place :thumbs:
 
chainsawjob said:
Thanks folks.

UCC :D I like that Badgers

That's reassuring your account stays open for 6 months. I'll check that's happening in our case, or does that automatically happen I wonder, googling hasn't seemed to give a clear answer on this as yet.

He now has a further 2 weeks work at the same place :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Last time I was on UC I got work after a month and half and automatically account stayed open for 6 months after last payment I had a few reminders about letting them know if things changed or income was different than info hmrc was receiving from employer etc
I then got a final letter months latter after saying account would close

had to make a new claim last month after finishing furlough and lay off my work coach told me it would be the same this time although you can close account at any time he advised me to just keep it open even if work starts quickly
 
wtfftw said:
So you can close the account?
The last thing we want is my ESA review to come up and be rolled into the UC one so if we can get off UC before that happens.... :hmm:
Click to expand...
Well I did once too right at the start of UC in my area and fell out of work for a while I had a menacing almost stalker of a work coach who insisted on calling me in to see him or threatening me with a sanction if I didnt go for his interviews for a better job even when I was back in full time permanent work and receiving no benefits :confused:
I got an apology letter after I wrote to them saying that all his letters and phone messages were causing a breakdown in my relationship as my partner thought I was lying about working and was sitting in the park all day or had a secret lover :D

so yes appears to still be the case I think its something to do with personal digital data rights and GDPR General Data Protection Regulation
How to cancel Universal Credit - rules for coming off benefit as lockdown eases
 
Last edited:
wtfftw said:
So you can close the account?
The last thing we want is my ESA review to come up and be rolled into the UC one so if we can get off UC before that happens.... :hmm:
Click to expand...


Get some ESA-specific advice from someone who really knows the sickness-benefit system thoroughly, would be my advice ... I'm channelling festivaldeb here (she works with welfare rights).

Good luck anyway :)
 
Badgers said:
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.
Click to expand...

Hmm... my laptop's screen has packed up and I need one if and when I do get work.. Are they really going to pay for your chromebook?
 
Petcha said:
Hmm... my laptop's screen has packed up and I need one if and when I do get work.. Are they really going to pay for your chromebook?
Click to expand...
I already have a small basic Chromebook but it is not up to the work.

Let me find you the link they sent. As mentioned above the UCC initially asked me to find a link to a machine I wanted and they would transfer funds to me (would need to supply receipt obv) but the guy then said i needed to order from their supplier who have basic but functional options.

BRB
 
Badgers said:
This is the place Petcha

Get Online At Home Cheap Computers Internet Ready

www.getonlineathome.org www.getonlineathome.org
Click to expand...

Thanks badgers, I'll look into that and also send to the charity ive been volunteering for who have been trying to get equipment for people/families who don't have any and as such are currently fucked. I'm lucky enough to have an external screen ive hooked up to my laptop but there's shitloads of families out there crowding around a single small screen. Are they actually any good?
 
It is worth having this link as even if UC are not willing to pay then it seems like it could help out people/organisations:


To qualify for the cheaper eligible price you must be;
  • Not for profit or non-governmental organization with recognized legal status and have a mission to benefit the local community
  • A registered UK charity
  • A member of a low-income family receiving any state benefits based on need
  • In a community with limited access to technology
  • Have a disability

If you are not eligible, our 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

Get Online At Home Cheap Computers Internet Ready

www.getonlineathome.org www.getonlineathome.org
 
Bugger me they must be very busy. That call was 6 and a half minutes and half a minute of that was me apologising for Mookie meowing down the phone! I was fully expecting a massive inquisition!

Any suggestions for decent job sites while I'm here? Using Indeed, the gov job site, that consolidated jobs in your area thing Google gives you when you search for jobs in X place, CV Library is rubbish these days, Linked In assumes I want to be a CEO or similar.
 
Mogden said:
Bugger me they must be very busy. That call was 6 and a half minutes and half a minute of that was me apologising for Mookie meowing down the phone! I was fully expecting a massive inquisition!
Click to expand...
Did they mention you should track your applications etc?
 
Badgers said:
Did they mention you should track your applications etc?
Click to expand...
I did manage to ask about what I should be putting in my journal. He said, yes please add your applications made and do put bits and pieces about your search into your journal so we can see you're being proactive but you don't need to put everything in every day. If it's blank, we'll get a bit twitchy was the very brief message from him.
 
Really annoyed this morning. Prepare for rant...:mad:

So I got the keys to my new place on 30 August (a Sunday) and went online immediately to report my change of circumstances and the fact I now pay rent (previously staying at a friend's place rent-free). I knew UC would need proof of this but couldn't find anywhere to upload my tenancy agreement etc (after some googling, apparently they have to create you a To-Do because they're worried people might upload memes if they had that feature - WTF? :rolleyes:) Anyway, this being a Bank Holiday weekend, I had to wait until the Tuesday to contact UC.

The first person I spoke to on the phone was nice enough but she didn't seem to understand what I was asking her and just kept saying "They'll contact you if they need anything else". I pointed out that they would eventually ask for proof of rent so why couldn't we just save time and upload it now. Again, she just repeated what she'd said already but that she'd send a message to my "case manager" - presumably my coach who's based at Tottenham Jobcentre as I wasn't signing on in east London any more. Anyway, she sent me a message to my journal confirming our conversation.

Later that morning, one of her colleagues called me because she hadn't really understood the first person's email she'd picked up. She said "Is it true you wanted to change your postcode?" I said "Not quite - I've already changed my details - but I'm glad you rang because I've no idea how to upload my proofs of rent and address!" She said "That's fine, I'll create you a To-Do so you can upload that for us. Is there anything else I can help with?" I said "No, that's great thanks, that's all I needed to do!" (and privately I was thinking, "Why couldn't the first person have done that?") But anyway, at least that was done, and I also went to my bank to change the address and ask for a printed proof of address change I could additionally upload. When I'd uploaded it all, I rang UC again to check they had all they needed, and they assured me they did and I'd be contacted if any further info was required.

So today, long story short, I checked my statement online and THEY HAVEN'T ADDED THE FUCKING RENT ELEMENT! And more annoying, it's Saturday and I won't be able to phone them for answers for another two days. They can't say I didn't provide proof because I did, and what's more I went out my way to make sure they had it. I wonder what's the excuse going to be? It's not good enough because the rent's due on 1 October and I won't be pleased if I have to borrow money off my mum again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

elbows
UK Inquiry Module 3: Impact on UK Healthcare Systems
2 3
Replies
69
Views
1K
Silas Loom
Silas Loom
P
Benefits during pandemic
Replies
11
Views
805
iona
I
hash tag
Universities
33 34 35 36 37
Replies
1K
Views
38K
beesonthewhatnow
beesonthewhatnow
Wilf
Universities and Colleges and 'Face to Face' Teaching
Replies
0
Views
278
Wilf
Wilf
Back
Top Bottom