r/BenefitsAdviceUK

(England) I have two small kids both r British and so am I and went to take my kids to see their father abroad (he doesn’t have a uk visa atm)
I closed my uc claim before leaving
I got pregnant abroad and had pregnancy complications and was advised not to travel at all
Was put on strict bed rest
I came back to uk at 28 weeks pregnant as I was considered well enough to travel again
I applied for uc and they closed my claim a week later saying I failed hrt
I had a call asking where I was and I explained that I couldn’t travel back to uk due to complications
They said oh ok that should explains things then cut the call and same day my claim was closed
I applied for a mandatory reconsideration
They said the decision maker would call me today about my claim
What should I be prepared for? I already said it as it was and I failed the test
It’s not like I could help the long time spent abroad (it was about a year)
My eldest is 3 years old I have his admission for nursery too
And we r all registered with the gp if that counts as any evidence
Idk how to make it stronger
The decision maker wants to talk over phone call
What can I say to not get failed again?

Hi everyone,

Need some advice on timelines. My housing costs were left out of my June Universal Credit payment because they were still in the middle of being verified.
They are fully verified now, and I just got my correct housing amount for July.

On July 1st, a case manager sent my June underpayment to a Decision Maker to get it backdated. I'm facing severe hardship and daily landlord late fees, so I contacted my MP. Today (Tuesday), my MP's office confirmed they have officially chased the DWP specifically about this backpay.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? How long does a Decision Maker usually take to release backdated housing costs once an MP steps in to escalate it?

Thanks!

Edit: Just to add my MP has actually been involved for weeks now because the DWP took nearly two months just to verify my housing costs after I reported them on May 28th. Now that the verification is finally done and the June underpayment is sitting with the Decision Maker, the MP's office chased them again today specifically to get this backpay released.

I put in for a change of circumstances for PIP in February.

Had my telephone assessment at the start of June.

19th June I get a letter stating "We have enough evidence to make a decision"

30th June I happen to check for the letter of entitlement online and its gone. Assuming my award has stopped and I will get a decision letter

6th July I recieve a reduced payment. No letter still.

7th July I've run them and no decision has been made. The award has simply stopped. My claim is still in a case managers queue, and theres a note saying that they need to "check letter" but theres no letter on the claim.

The case manager I spoke to this morning messaged the one dealing with my claim and asked them to call back but its been almost 6 hours and radio silence.

Before I chase it up again has this happened to anyone else? I have a Mandatory Reconsideration written and ready to go, it just feels very mean to leave my claim in purgatory

Hi

based in England, my child currently gets DLA and we've been invited to apply for PIP due to aging out of DLA.

My question is, my child receives tuition at home paid for by our LA, as part of an EHCP. They have a number of health conditions which have led to this, as well as the loss of their other parent, causing related severe emotional issues.

They were offered a specific type of therapy by CAMHS but we decided between us (my child and I) that it would be too intense for them to engage with at the moment, especially as they have only recently got back into education, and we don't want to derail that. I am just wondering if i should mention the therapy issue in the PIP application or will it go against them in some way, ie looks like they aren't complying with help we have been offered?

Not sure if that even makes sense but would appreciate any insight. Just to add, I'm aware of PIP criteria and what DWP are assessing, but this is purely about the supporting evidence to send in

thanks

(Based in England)

I recently had a Universal Credit verification appointment and was asked to provide 12 months of bank statements. I provided statements from my main account, along with some of the accounts I opened for bank switching.

My statements are quite messy due to frequent transfers between accounts. One thing I’m unsure about is that some statements show a lower balance than the capital I reported at the end of my assessment periods.

The difference is because some money was temporarily moved for bank switching rewards or lent to family members. I explained the bank switching activity during my appointment, but I wasn’t asked many questions about the other transactions.

I also closed a number of my bank switching accounts, so I’m now waiting for statements from those closed accounts to arrive by post.

What usually happens in this situation? Do reviewers go through the statements and contact you if they need clarification, or do they calculate the capital themselves? Also, how long do reviews like this usually take when there are lots of accounts and transactions to check?

I'm a little at a loss here. Scored zero on everything, despite them 'recognising' my weekly immunotherapy symptoms for blood cancer. Apparently I'm fine to fully socialise, go shopping, travel, despite the risks of being immunosuppressed.

I honestly don't really know what to do. I feel they have saw my age late 30's, and the fact I still work (with heavy working adjustments thanks to the equality act) they have just zero'd everything. I have every intention to try and working as long as I can.

If anybody has any advice that would be great. I’m in England.

i am 19 have cerebral palsy I am otherwise normal and have no capacity concerns in any other situations however when i applied for universal credit they said they need to speak to my appointee and that they cant speak to me [it felt like they we're treating me like a child ] I fully understand how finances work and i budget my money appropriately , and i am unsure why she was made my appointee

she is adamant i get a job despite my physical challenges and there is also a long history of neglecting my needs

any advice would be appreciated

I got a freelance job at the end of January and notified them that my status would be changing.

I submitted my first invoice late in February and received my first pay cheque late in March. I went back on and notified them again, this time telling them to stop my Carer’s Alllowance. I’d heard that it might take them eight weeks to catch up, so I’ve just been setting the money aside and waiting for them to stop paying and call back the excess.

It’s now been nearly twelve weeks and they’re still paying out every Monday and it’s starting to worry me. I’m still just putting the money aside, but this is getting silly now.

TLDR: I’ve used the “report a change in status” page twice, but they’re still paying me 12 weeks after I started earning above the threshold.

My mum is a full-time carer for my adult brother, who has Down syndrome. She receives Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance.
I’ve spoken to Universal Credit and they told me that her Carer’s Allowance is deducted from her Universal Credit pound for pound, so she doesn’t actually receive any extra money from claiming Carer’s Allowance itself.
I’m just trying to understand whether this is the correct setup or whether there is another benefit or entitlement that would be more suitable for her circumstances.
We’re also currently looking into a Severe Mental Impairment Council Tax discount for my brother, and Citizens Advice has been recommended to us to discuss a Debt Relief Order, but my main question is about the benefits.
Is it normal for Carer’s Allowance to be deducted pound for pound from Universal Credit? Should my mum still be receiving a carer element within Universal Credit, or is there another benefit she should be claiming instead? I just want to make sure she’s receiving everything she’s entitled to as a full-time carer.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi there thanks for reading
I’ve just been flippantly diagnosed with FND and have foot drop so unable to walk properly
I’m self employed and unable to work due to this at the moment. I asked a doctor for a fit note who reluctantly gave me one after telling me to contact DWP first 🙄
I’ve applied and understand it’s 14 days, does it usually take that long if not longer, and if it’s accepted is it back dated from the note?
Thanks

Hello - I have struggled with work for last 15 years all end up walking out after many weeks off on sick - I have recently been diagnosed autistic and suspected ADHD - I also take depression:/ anxiety meds. I claim cares for my mother - I live in a house I own outright - I have just applied for PIP as I am not in a place mentally or emotionally for work, if I get denied PIP what options do I qualify for - I’m living on £86 a week at present - Thank you (north east England )

Hi just looking some advice I contacted the appeals service around 3 months ago asking for a paper based decision as I’m unable to get someone to represent me as everyone is over booked and not available to help me I’ve just received my appeal date (29/07) they are wanting me to attend the thought of if with no one to help has given me severe anxiety panic attacks to the point I’m physically sick i don’t know if I’m going to make it I don’t want to go to be interrogated talked down to or feeling like I’m doing something wrong I was awarded pip first time without any problems so not sure why I’m having to go through the ringer for lcwra tho I was given lcw any advice on the tribunal hearing would be a massive help as I’ll have to go on my own.

Hey all,

Im so confused on how im supposed to survive on UC.

I got paid my second month of UC today and its literally all gone after bills. I had the same issue last month and had to get a budgeting Advance just to cover the bills, then get food bank vouchers to survive the month.

This month I tried my hardest to cut back on everything and cancel things so that bills aren't gonna be as bad, but theyve still eaten up everything.

What the hell am I supposed to do? I cant get another budgeting advance and I cant get more food bank vouchers (because apparently its 3 only every 6 months).

Any advice will be really appreciated because im panicking like crazy. Im autistic (but not enough for PIP apparently 😤) and this is causing me far too much stress

Thank you

Hey guys, my mum passed away two months ago and I was claiming carers allowance for her , but naturally I’ve told them she’s passed however I’m also trying to claim now as a carer for my younger brother who I also look after

The problem is that since my last payment at the start of may; they’ve told me I need to go into the job centre and have a meeting with them and until then I won’t receive any money . Which was fine because my meeting was initially on the 4th and my payment day is the 5th, but then it changed to the 10th, which was manageable, then on the 9th they changed to a day I couldn’t do without checking with me beforehand, then they changed it to the 30th and again changed it the day before , so I’m now nearly completely out of money in my account and i can’t get to my meeting because they keep changing the date , as much as I’m trying to get there and argue my case I’m losing money and taking days off of work only for them to change the day last minute

What can I do here?it’s now the 6th so I’ve missed another payment day yesterday

Today i received a copy of my assessment- not had a txt about whether ive been awarded .
Looking at the assessment looks like i got 7 points for standard living - could this change to 8 points when its been reviewed or do they just go on the assessment - England

Hello, looking to get some opinions on what the likely outcome of this is going to be as I am spiralling a bit with stress.

So my mother is disabled, quite late stage Huntington's disease, and I naturally help out with a lot of things including setting up her UC claim back in April '24.

To my knowledge she only had money in her current account and if I remember correctly was around 8k at the time when the claim was put in.

A claim review came through in December '25 and going through her statements before sending I saw a transaction from herself of £1000, I asked where this came from and it was from another account which she had savings in.

When the review happened they naturally queried this transaction and I told them about the account and how much was in it.

She's well under the threshold now however was over for roughly 10 months by my rough estimates going through the statements.

All statements from the other account from the date the claim went in are now with the claim reviewer, so they will obviously see that she was over for a period of time.

What is the likely outcome? I am very stressed out trying to handle everything that is going on with her at the moment (currently in the process of finding a nursing home to move to). I have financial LPA which UC are aware of if that makes any difference, will I have to pay the money back? I can't afford that. Will I be deemed responsible for this error even though I was not aware? Am I going to prison? Criminal record?

Losing my mind

England

Hi, does anyone know if you have an SMI loan does it affect your ability to release equity from your property in the future? I can't afford to pay a financial advisor. I'm with Barclays. I'm working and have UC top up, my ex is dragging me through the family court again for the 6th time which is already at £21k owing the solicitor and potentially the same again... I have equity in my house but the sums don't currently add up to release it, as I also have a £20k debt on credit cards that I have been juggling for the last 3 years as I've already paid out £35k on previous hearings. I need a couple of years to stabilise, pay off the cards, and then want to look at releasing equity to pay off solicitor. The SMI loan would not be huge and I would look to paying off a part each month too, its just all about timing, credit history and managing the situation. Leaving an abusive ex is very expensive. I have no savings left and noone I can borrow from but do have equity in my home. I don't want to sell and uproot my children who have already been through a nightmare, current serious safeguarding issues ongoing. One has been suicidal. They do not need the upheaval and it would mean moving schools and cities as where we live is too expensive to either buy again or rent.
Does that make sense? I'm wondering if it would just be that if I release equity by remortgaging, (not the over 55 scheme) I would first be required to pay off the SMI loan, from it? Or would having the SMI loan prevent any further borrowing against the house? Thanks.

I've been told I need to pay £276 back as, according to the letter I received, I failed to disclose a change in my part-time earnings.

I was made redundant in November of last year and immediately applied for JSA as I knew it would be tough looking for a new role (I'm a graphic designer and the industry has taken a beating of late). It's now July and I'm still not in full-time work.

Along the way I've picked up a few small freelance jobs that I have ALWAYS told the person at my regular JSA meetings about. I have never misled them about when I've worked or what I've earned. There was some confusion in my second interview about what my work status was, originally the women I spoke to put me down as a business (or something) and, in my following appointment, the guy I spoke to was very confused, said that was wrong and edited my application.

I'm not averse to paying it back, it's not a huge amount and I know that if I've been over paid I've been over paid, but it does sting. Especially as the implication is that I did something underhand.

Is it worth contacting them about it? Will it appear on any of my records or anything like that?

Location: South East England.

Universal Credit Review - Really anxious, honest opinions please

Hi everyone,

I’m currently going through a routine Universal Credit review on a joint claim and I’m really anxious. I’m hoping for some honest opinions from people who have been through one.
We were asked for 4 months of bank statements. I uploaded mine and my husband’s. After I uploaded them, they asked for statements from my savings account as well. I don’t actually have any savings in it - I just move my Universal Credit money into it temporarily to stop direct debits or subscriptions taking money unexpectedly, then transfer it back to my current account when I need it. They gave me extra time to upload those statements because they’re paper statements.

Neither of us works. We care for our four children and Universal Credit is our only regular income.
My worries are mainly about the transactions on our bank statements.

My account:
Universal Credit is paid into my account.
I transfer money between my current account and my savings account.
All my bills come out this account.
Family and friends sometimes send me money if I’m struggling financially.
I’ve sold a few items in market place ect nothing as crazy
Some payments from family if they lend me money, I pay it back when I can.
I don’t have any hidden savings or any other income.

My husband’s account:
His account has a lot of William Hill transactions because he has had a gambling problem (he has now decided to attend Gamblers Anonymous & installed Gamban & joined GameStop I’m sure as he didn’t realise how bad things where)

His friend sends him money quite regularly. The reason is that his friend has mobility issues and isn’t good with technology, so my husband has been placing online bets for him using his own William Hill account. Sometimes he also buys shopping for him, and occasionally his friend lends him money.

Most of the money his friend sends is spent on William Hill shortly afterwards rather than staying in the account.
His account doesn’t build up money the balances are usually very low.

I’m worried the DWP will look at the payments from his friend and think they’re undeclared income, even though they aren’t wages or earnings.

I’ve shown the statements to someone who went through them with me and they said they didn’t think they looked like hidden employment, but they thought a reviewer might ask questions about the payments from the friend just to understand them. Has anyone had a similar experience where the DWP asked about payments from friends or family during a review? If so, what happened?
I’m happy to answer any questions they ask and provide more evidence if needed. I’m just finding the waiting really stressful.

I’ve cooperated fully and sent them everything over - I just need to send them my savings bank account which they have been fine and extended my date.

Would really appreciate someone actually talk me
through the review what it’s actually for thank you x

Scotland.