r/BenefitsAdviceUK

I'm 24, and a full time student who has been in Northern Ireland since April from the south of Ireland where. I was born and won't be leaving anytime soon since I love it here.

But I am disabled, physically deteriorating and waiting on a lot of rheumatology diagnosises they think I have. I have applied for PIP but I'm still waiting on the residency letter that still hasn't shown up even a week later (I do know PIP is a very very slow process, but I'm glad future me will get back paid I guess).

But I'm flat broke. I cannot work, I can barely go to uni for classes and my GP thinks I'm insane for even doing university, but has written a note to get me online classes which has been a big help. But right now, I've been borrowing money off friends and family and sinking myself deeper into a hole.

Ive applied for Universal Credit to get a decision on the 1st of November, but I'm 100% sure im going to get £0 because I am, once again, a full time student. I will be appealing it if it is given £0 since I can prove I am unable to work and will have to drop out of uni if I don't get some help. Because being able to eat is a lot more important than my education unfortunately.

But in the meantime, I don't know what to do. I don't know what I'm eligible for. My mental health and physical health get even worse when I think about this and how dire my situation is right now. Can anyone give me any sort of light in the tunnel? Any advice at all? Anything would be appreciated really.

I'll be going to a job center again (I already went to prove my identity to UC but I think I need to go back and ask for help), but anything else I can do to show I really need help?

Thanks in advance

So I was introduced to and offered a job through the Job Centre, it would've been a customer service/call centre job. It was a company (that doesn't have the best reputation but I need the money lol) that had a line specifically for the DWP that I would've worked for.

When offered the job, I didn't have a direct line of communication from one person. They had me talk to multiple people across the world and whenever I had questions they'd give me a short response or just not respond at all. I then had to start the onboarding process which was quite intense and almost unsual. They asked for A LOT of information which I was happy to give but they were not satisfied with anything I gave them but I provided everything I need to. Anyway, my start date was pushed back further and further and they've just let me know that i'll no longer be able to start without any real reason.

I am concerned that this company now has my private details, has led me on and I am unsure of my next steps. I've asked my work coach if they have direct contact with anyone from the company so I can at least get more clarity and honestly complain to but they've said no. I really wish Job Centre would vet the jobs they send our way.

Hi all, I am trying to find out what the deal is when a person's disabilities mean they require somebody else living with them. A family member lives in a HA flat which is adapted for disabilities. They receive the highest rates of PIP, they have UC with LCWRA, they aren't able to work at all so no earnings, and importantly they have been on the UC for long enough that they get SDP added since they live alone. Their rent is fully covered by UC. Recently they've faced a new health challenge, which has involved several brain surgeries and left them currently in a position where they aren't safe to live alone, for two different reasons. Firstly physically because a) they're a fall risk and b) they are high risk for emergencies due to a newly installed internal medical device, and secondly because whilst they have basic capacity mentally to make their own decisions etc, they have been left with a brain injury which means they have very little memory, for example they couldn't be trusted alone cooking in case they forgot they were doing it. Currently they have a family member staying on their sofa temporarily, I don't know whether or not UC are aware of that but it's only been a week since they came out of hospital. Could this person be allowed a two bedroom flat, if they could get one allocated? Would they get an increase in their UC housing element? I assume they'd lose their SDP which would be difficult. I'm in contact with the council about the housing but we're really unsure whether to proceed with a formal request for a new flat because if they got a two bed, lost SDP and then didn't get the two bed housing element, that could be financially catastrophic since they are already in a difficult position with money because they can't drive anymore. I will be very grateful for any advice, thanks.

I have LCWRA for BPD, other mental health conditions and IBS as well as chronic costscondritis. I haven't had paid work for four years but have done placement work for a teaching assistant course I didnt get paid for(UC didn't bat an eye to my knowledge as I was told I didn't have to let them know as it was relevant for my course)

I've just got an interview to work Christmas time for a month as an elf but I'm very very worried that they will try and say it contradicts the reason for me being on LCWRA and trigger reassetment despite the "right to try" thing

I suppose I'm looking for reassurance or affirmation of my concerns. Will I likely be okay to go ahead with this job? It's part time and I desperately need the extra money

England. Deductions have been made from Universal Credit claim, due to overpayment many people receiving ESA had in April after the annual uprating caused calculation errors.

Amount deducted recently exceeded overpayment amount on letter from UC; response in journal was to contact Debt Management, who then detailed that the deductions were continuing because there is an additional £250 debt recovery that was decided in March 2026, for a period of approx 10 months in 2022, by ESA.

ESA support group claim was active during that time until migration to UC in 2025. In early 2024, DWP were contacted (due to OCD-fuelled over checking) and told that there may have been some months during the pandemic where capital had gone over the minimum threshold, due to unspent PIP back payment, but unsure. This triggered a mishandled investigation, where the claim was suspended, investigation was started and 5 years of bank statements were sent.

After 3 months of suspended claim and resulting financial hardship/knock on rent & CT arrears, the investigation was closed, the decision maker did not send any comments but all money suspended during the 3 months was back paid. No deductions were made and no explanation was given, just a letter detailing the reinstated benefit and amount due to be repaid. They were aware the initial call had been made by someone in mental health crisis who was calling for reassurance, and still went nuclear...

2 years later, they have now decided a debt of £250 from 2022 is due. No letter was sent, this was only discovered from calling Debt Management. It is extremely strange that on the same month where an error was made in calculating ESA deductions, ESA have also 'found' a debt from 4 years ago, despite doing an in depth 5 year review in 2024 that went to a decision maker and came back as no overpayment made!

Any advice would be much appreciated, TIA.

Hi, my PIP is due on Monday and I can see in my banking app that it's my normal payment. However I've just had another payment of £80.33 and I've no idea what it's for - anyone know?

Been on PIP many years now, was reviewed in Feb and awarded enhanced care and mobility then. Payments have been the same every 4 weeks since then.

I got my assessment back and I got 4 points for engaging with people, 0 on all the other descriptors which was shocking. I’m currently preparing my Mandatory Reconsideration and could use some advice on a few points, particularly regarding some glaring discrepancies in my PA4 report and whether to include some older medical evidence. Am applying with autism, OCD, ADHD, anxiety, tachycardia and migraines as diagnosed conditions that affect me.

I recorded my assessment and transcribed it through editing software, which has highlighted several areas where the assessor heavily compressed or misrepresented my answers. There are a large amount of discrepancies but these are the main ones:

• Taking Nutrition: The PA4 claims I can "recognise hunger." However, the transcript shows I explicitly answered "no, generally" to that question, explaining I can go 24 hours without eating and become lightheaded. The report also ignores the context that my partner bringing me lunch is a needed prompt, not just a casual occurrence. I also told him that she prompts me to eat and I only eat one meal a day.
• Washing & Bathing: The PA4 inferred that because I try to brush my teeth daily, I can reliably manage a "strip wash". The transcript shows the assessor explicitly asked if I wash at the sink, and I clearly answered "no".
• Dressing: The report states there are "no OCD rituals in this activity." But the transcript clearly records me explaining my contamination fears, specifically that I leave dirty clothes on because changing them makes me feel I've cross-contaminated my clean clothes and my living space, as well as
• Cooking: The report says I have "never cooked," but the transcript shows I explained I avoid cooking now (for about six months) but detailed previous attempts, including using alarms, burning food, and leaving the hob on.

On the older medical evidence point, I have medical records from 2017 showing "wound infection bilateral feet from shoes" and a prescription for antibiotics for an infected foot. I have significant sensory sensitivities that affect my ability to select appropriate clothing/footwear for the weather.

Is it worth including these 2017 records to corroborate the historical harm caused by my sensory issues regarding dressing, or is it too old/unrelated to current needs to be helpful? I thought it'd be useful to show it's an issue I've had continuously.

Given that I have a transcript proving the PA4 misrepresented my answers, what are the realistic chances of the DWP changing the decision at the MR stage? I know the statistics for MRs aren't great, but does concrete proof of transcript discrepancies force their hand, or should I be prepared to take this to a Tribunal?

Hi,
I applied for LCWRA IN 2024/25 and was awarded LCW, I did a mandatory reconsideration and was denied, in May of 2025 I applied for a reassessment and I’m still waiting to hear from them, I have called several times and they say that they are back logged and they can’t give a timeline as to when this will be looked at,I have made a complaint and been told by the DWP that there is literally nothing they can do either, has anyone had this and waited for this long ?

Hey everyone.

Following my assessment on 28/09

I received my PA4 form on 5/10

Assesor used the fact I have GCSES (Awarded by Predicted Grades in Covid- made aware I would not have gotten them otherwise) and the fact I work full time to justify giving me zero points.

Been told a decision had been made and awaiting the letter currently. I feel I know what will be the outcome.

How do I challenge this?

Claiming for ADHD and Autism as I physically can noy look after myself and barely get through work as it is.

Been under CMHT, Therapies, Support Workers but that seems to be ignored. Had a DRO earlier this year , also ignored evidence

What should the next steps be? Waiting on a day I can ACTUALLT go to citizens advice as I struggle alot going place and attending appointments esp managing around work.

Whats the best evidence to challenge this decision if it does in fact result in no award? Whatever is suggested I most likely have….

I'm hoping someone with knowledge of the benefits system in Northern Ireland can give me some advice, or perhaps share their own experience.

I'm currently claiming Universal Credit and PIP, and my LCW (Limited Capability for Work) case is now being taken forward through the appeal process.

I've recently started selling on Vinted. Most of what I'm selling is my own belongings and my mum's things, but I've also been buying the odd four or five items from charity shops to resell for a small profit. I do this every couple of weeks, depending on what I can afford, and I'd like to continue doing it as a small, regular activity.

It gives me something productive to do, and the extra money would help towards my bills. I'm not looking to make a fortune or run a large business.

I've now heard about Vinted Pro and the possibility of having to register as self-employed, but I'm concerned about how this could affect my Universal Credit, particularly with my LCW appeal ongoing.

I'd be grateful if anyone could clarify the following:

Do I need to report this activity to Universal Credit if the amounts involved are small?

How does UC treat money from selling personal belongings compared with profit from items bought specifically for resale?

Is there any earnings threshold before UC is affected?

Could I be classed as gainfully self-employed, and could the minimum income floor apply?

Does having an LCW decision or an appeal in progress make any difference?Has anyone in Northern Ireland been through something similar?

I'm particularly interested in how this works in practice under the Northern Ireland benefits system, rather than advice based on the system in England if the rules differ.

I'm trying to understand the implications before making any decisions about Vinted Pro or expanding what I'm doing. I need to know where I stand financially because I have bills to pay and can't afford unexpected changes to my UC.

Thanks very much for any guidance or personal experiences.

I’m having my second review and the first time they asked for bank statements, housing proof and a picture of my ID. This time they didn’t ask me for ID. Are they likely to ask for it later or do they not ask every time?

Hello, apologies if this sort of thing has been asked a million times as I am autistic and struggle to understand lots of things. I am 23 and I receive UC and PIP (higher daily living and higher mobility). I am currently waiting for a LCW/LCWRA assessment.

A few months ago a friend of a friend offered me some very part time work, working at a children's stay and play group which is one morning a week. I was asked to be cover for when a regular worker there is sick or away. I started in March and I've worked there a few times since, about once a month. Each time I work there I earn £80. This month, I will work there twice, as someone who works there is going away.

I didn't think to declare it because it is so ad hoc and the amount I earn is small. But should I have declared it and if so what should I say? Will I be penalised? I really struggle to meet my living costs with the money I get from the DWP as it is so I feel really anxious about this :((

Thank you