UCD35

poppy123456

Yes, it should have but they may not have been time for a decision maker to look at it before your statement was produced. They will owe you 1 months child element now. 

Ray212

Thanks for clarifying Poppy. I have put a note in my journal regarding it so at least they are aware.

Ray212

Does make you laugh though, they were quick enough to stop the payment when I reported she had left education on the last day of my assessment period last year

poppy123456

I do understand where you’re coming from. However before an element can be awarded it has to go to a decision maker to make the decision. It doesn’t have to go to one when an element is stopped. 

If the last day of your AP was later than the date of return to education then there would have been more chance of the element being included this month. 

Ray212

Indeed Poppy, just frustrating I guess but also why do they bother saying the statement will be ready on the 8th which is what I assumed would be the time taken to look at such things like changes but then produce it next day well before the 8th.

Ray212

I wrote to UC on my journal and this was the response :

We are waiting for the details to be verified by the relevant department.



Once this has been done, your benefit award will be recalculated and any arrears issued to you.

Ray212

What relevant department???

poppy123456

Did you tell them the name of the college/school? If so then they maybe checking with those. 

Ray212

Yep, name of college, which she was at before. Name of course etc

poppy123456

As i thought, then they will be checking with those.

Ray212

Hope they check quickly, could pick the phone up and found out in 5 minutes if they really wanted to

Ray212

Just wanted to check something, so I asked for a timeframe, was told couldn't give me one so asked whether payment would be added to next month or paid separately and was told

If you are owed any arrears of Universal Credit, it will be issued separately.

That sound about right?

poppy123456

Yes, that's correct. The same applies to any money owed for anything with DWP.

Ray212

Thanks Poppy, thats good to know

Ray212

Hi Deppi,

I of course was incredibly nervous on the run up to it and just before the call. Was wondering how I was going to explain mental health over the phone and various other things.

There were 2 physical issues.

Was asked about what medication I took, dosage, did ask about side effects but felt I was talking about that more than they were asking about side effects.

Spoke about walking and another issue, a lot of the time was taken by me wittering on but I did get the impression that she would rather have moved on to the next question than listening to me. Was incredibly nice person. Before the call I felt I would get someone hostile, you hear so many horror stories with these things but she was very nice and understanding.

While I got the impression she wanted to move on to the next questions she didn't get funny with me or anything. At the start of the conversation she said it would take about half an hour or so, was me talking that made it longer.

Anyway we got to the end of the physical stuff and I thought thats that bit done now unto the mental health stuff and she just said, thats all thank you. DWP will be in touch when they have made a decision. I was kind of stuck in the middle of my words as was fully ready with paperwork laid out etc to give a full rundown of everything and that was that.

Honestly didn't feel like an hour, I thought it was twenty minutes!

However I know how difficult it was before the interview and even once the interview is done and until you get your result you think is there anything I could have said different, did I say enough, damn I forgot to mention etc etc

Being on both sides of it I completely understand how you are feeling. All I can say is have everything prepared, I even had a hint sheet as I am rubbish at remembering things so it was stuff written down to jog my memory when describing things so when the call comes you have everything laid out and ready to go.

I had over 100 pieces of paper all laid out into piles, doctors notes, presciptions, letters from hospital, supporting letters, diagnoses, reports for counsellors etc. In the end I didn't even pick up one piece of paper!

I am sure you will be just fine

Ray212

No problems at all, I absolutely understand the anxiety with what these interviews bring. Try not to dwell on it and I am sure everything will be just fine