Need advice for Son claiming Universal Credit.

[brassnecked]

 Hi CitizenB  UC has been problematic at best.  He will have an interview at nearest Jobcentre where they will discuss what he must to to look for work, Claimant Commitment etc.  he might get knocked back and be refused as if he only came back permanently 2 weeks ago they may say he fails the Residency test.  Unclebulgaria could likely provide some info also.  He will have to wait 5 weeks for a first payment, and should if accepted for UC be able to get an advance payment, but that of itself is problematic due to the rate of recovery being high from their ongoing benefit.

 

Most of it is done online with access through an online account.  19% of people average will not be able to claim UC due to their not having access to IT or unable to use the technology.

 

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/people/british-job-hunter-told-he-cant-claim-any-benefits-after-spending-time-in-spain/

[brassnecked]

Always worth a try, and the Residency thing will resolve itself after 6 months, they used to use the habitual Residence test back in the day to prevent someone from Liverpool say claiming in Rhyl.  Has he looked at a benefit calculator like on turn2Us? 

 

This is the link to the UC from UKGov site

 

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

[brassnecked]

Thanks CitizenB keep us posted, UC is a complete messup .  There are stats showing that due to either no access to IT or lack of IT literacy, average 19% of people eligible will be unable to successfully claim UC,

[brassnecked]

Well It is designed to recreate a 21st Century Workhouse says the UN 

 

UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty said the welfare safety net has been "systematically and starkly eroded" since the Conservatives took power in 2010.

[brassnecked]

They have to  claim and access  through an Online account and keep in touch by using the online Journal, enter changes jobsearch details. The application is done online and takes over an hour, if no access to computer at home might have to use Library computers if available.

 

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/making-a-claim/how-to-claim/

 

https://tech.newstatesman.com/news/universal-credit-tech-problem

 

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Making-an-online-claim-Universal-Credit

 

[brassnecked]

Thanks for that info TomTom, they try their utmost to force them down the digital route where I live.

[brassnecked]

Absolutely Unclebulgaria, it was designed as Digital by Default from the outset, the Welfare Rights advisors have been very busy where I am since it went Full UC, have been issues shall we say, and Housing Associations are struggling to ciope with natural migration as tenants have a Change of circs, so have to move to UC.

[brassnecked]

Sadly as a Welfare Advisor for a local HA of my aquaintace says, they make it up as they go along, and don't interpret their own regulations correctly.  as in try to impose a 35 hour per week jobsearch conditionality on a Carer, wher no Conditionality applies etc etc.  Glad your son is sorting things out.  HGopefully he will earn enough not to need UC or interact with them in future.

[brassnecked]

They backed down when challenged tomtom, said oops was accidentally put in wrong group.  There is no joined up thinking between UC and say carers, and ESA, both UC and ESA will issue Work capability Assessments on a claimant, so there could be two conflicting WCA in the system.  they said GDPR prevents them sharing info. Weak excuse.

[brassnecked]

The real issue is that UC is not designed to support disabled who are extremely limited in what they can do, they put conditionality that is impossible for some, and totally ignore any Fitnote issued by a GP that contradicts their WCA, even down to finding someone at end of life in a Hospice fit for work ( that'll be the Crapita)  UC is unfit for purpose on so many levels with the Assessment period causing issues a CPAG report illustrated that amply last year but DWP have done diddley squat as yet

http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/rough-justice-problems-monthly-assessment-pay-and-circumstances-universal-credit-and-what-ca