Eight ways to solve Universal Credit and job centre problems

UNIVERSAL Credit can be a minefield for claimants to navigate – we explain how to avoid any issues when applying for the benefit.

This includes setting up an online account and attending a job centre appointment with seven days of making an application.

It comes as latest figures from the Office of National Statistics showed the number of people claiming work-related benefits reached 2.7million in August.

This figure is up by 121% since the start of the coronavirus crisis in March.

If you need to make a claim for Universal Credit, we've rounded-up some top tips below to help the application process.

Here's what you need to know:

The Sun wants to Make Universal Credit Work

UNIVERSAL Credit replaces six benefits with a single monthly payment.

One million people are already receiving it and by the time the system is fully rolled out in 2023, nearly 7 million will be on it.

But there are big problems with the flagship new system – it takes 5 weeks to get the first payment and it could leave some families worse off by thousands of pounds a year.

And while working families can claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs, they must find the money to pay for childcare upfront – we’ve heard of families waiting up to 6 months for the money.

Working parents across the country told us they’ve been unable to take on more hours – or have even turned down better paid jobs or more hours because of the amount they get their benefits cut.

It’s time to Make Universal Credit work. We want the government to:

1. Get paid faster: The Government must slash the time Brits wait for their first Universal Credit payments from five to two weeks, helping stop 7 million from being pushed into debt.
2. Keep more of what you earn: The work allowance should be increased and the taper rate should be slashed from from 63p to 50p, helping at least 4 million families.
3. Don’t get punished for having a family: Parents should get the 85 per cent of the money they can claim for childcare upfront instead of being paid in arrears.

Together, these changes will help Make Universal Credit Work.

Join our Universal Credit Facebook group or email [email protected] to share your story.

1. Have ALL of your details to hand before you claim

Before making your first Universal Credit claim, you'll need to have all of the following details to hand.

There's a lot of information so make sure you gather it up in advance:

• your email address
• your telephone number
• your postcode
• your national insurance number
• proof of your nationality
• your housing details
• details about people who live with you – such as your partner, children you are responsible for, or lodgers
• Child benefit reference numbers, if you receive child benefit
• employer details, if you or your partner are working
• details about any earnings or other income you or your partner have
• details of any savings, investments or other capital you or your partner have
• details of any other benefits you receive
• information about your health
• details of the account your payments will go into, such as a bank, building society or credit union account. This will need to be a current account, not a savings account

You can watch the government's videos for help setting up a Universal Credit online account, and then completing a claim.

If you can't claim online, for example, because you have a disability, contact the Universal Credit helpline on: 0800 328 5644.

2. Struggling? Use Citizens Advice's FREE help to claim service

Charity Citizens Advice has set-up a completely free "Help to Claim" service that's dedicated to sort through any issues you're having.

In England, you can reach it on: 0800 144 8 444. In Wales it's: 08000 241 220. And in Scotland it's: 0800 023 2581.

There's no helpline for Northern Ireland.

You can also request to speak to an adviser online.

A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said: “If you need help with your application, ask straight away – the sooner you apply for Universal Credit, the sooner you could get your first payment."

3. Don't forget to book your job centre appointment if you need to

You might need to book and attend an interview at your local job centre after submitting your application.

You’ll be told if you need to after you apply. Not everyone will need to attend an appointment.

But if you do need to, failing to make an appointment at your job centre might result in you having to re-submit your claim.

This could mean you wait even longer than the standard five weeks for your first payment.

To book an appointment, you'll be given a number in your online Universal Credit account.

If you don't see one, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, which will then make the appointment with your local job centre.

You'll need your national insurance number when you call.

Details of your appointment will be shown in your Universal Credit account.

4. Don't forget your ID when you have your first meeting

If you do need to attend a job centre appointment, make sure you bring photo ID, as well as evidence of your situation.

This could include a UK passport or UK driving licence, plus wages slips, bank statements, proof of savings, and a tenancy or rental agreement.

You need this even if you've verified your identity online

Citizens Advice says check the "to-do list" section of your Universal Credit account.

There will be an item on there called "prepare for your appointment".

You’ll then need to choose which documents you’ll bring to your interview.

Select "I do not have any of these" if you don’t have anything – here, you’ll need to answer some more questions at your interview.

A DWP spokesperson added: "Remember, when meeting with your work coach for the first time bring all of the information that was requested when you submitted your application, you can get a reminder of this at www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk.”

What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit

IF you’re experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don’t cover costs, here are your options:

Apply for an advance – Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit pay out.

Alternative Payment Arrangements– If you're falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you're part of a couple.

Budgeting Advance – You may be able to get help from the government to help with emergency household costs of up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You'll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You'll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.

Cut your Council Tax – You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax or be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments if your payments aren't enough to cover your rent.

Foodbanks – If you're really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the Trussel Trust website.

5. Don't send personal details via text or email

If the DWP need to update you about your claim, or an upcoming appointment, they'll do this via your Universal Credit journal or over the phone.

An adviser will usually write in your journal first to tell you they'll be calling.

The DWP will never text or email asking for personal information or bank details.

6. Understand your "claimant commitment"

You'll be assigned a work coach after applying, and between the two of you you'll have to come up with a "claimant commitment".

This will set out what's expected of you, for example how many hours you need to spend applying for jobs.

It's important you understand this so make sure you ask questions if something doesn't make sense.

7. Tell the job centre if you're a carer, have disabilities or a health condition, or have kids

Call the Universal Credit helpline number listed above if you can't attend a meeting because you're ill or disabled.

If you can make your meeting, make your life easier by being upfront with the job centre about any disabilities or health conditions, or if you're a carer for others, or have kids.

While you're expected to search for work in order to get Universal Credit some exceptions can be made based on your situation.

If you have a current "Fit Note" from your GP, for example, you will not be asked to take up or be available for work.

Meanwhile, if you are the lead carer for a child, what is expected of you will be based on the age of the youngest child in your household.

Charity Turn2Us has a handy guide of situations and claimant commitment rules.

You'll have to continue updating the job centre on your progress finding a job throughout your claim.

8. Appeal incorrect decisions and complain about jobcentre staff

If you're unhappy about how you've been treated by jobcentre staff, you can complain for free online via the jobcentre website.

You can also complain about jobcentre staff to DWP.

For complaints about Universal Credit decisions, for example you've been turned down or given less than you thought, you'll need to submit an appeal.

From council tax bills to maternity grants, we round-up six Universal Credit perks you could be missing out on.

If you don't qualify for benefits, you should consider turning to a free help organisation such as Citizens Advice or StepChange.

The Sun has a guide on how to apply for free grants of up to £10,000 if you’ve recently lost your job.

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