UC change of circumstances payment

anniej9464

Hi, hope everyone is well. 

A friend of mine usually receives there UC payments weekly and has done for well over 2 years. He doesn't do online banking and struggles with his finances, hence recieving his payments weekly, so when he's been paid today there was a larger amount than he'd normally receive without looking into where the extra money has come from,. If it does happen to be a fault with universal credit and would mean he'd received his full month's money in one go would that qualify for a change in circumstances advance payment with him now having to wait a full month for another payment? Thanks in advance. 

poppy123456

Unfortunately, this wouldn't be treated as a change of circumstances so no advance payment could be claimed. 

There's a budgeting advance he could claim, depending on circumstances. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/budgeting-advance/

Has he checked his UC statement to see what's included with this months payment? It would give an indication why he's received so much. 

wkd

anniej9464 said:

Hi, hope everyone is well. 

A friend of mine usually receives there UC payments weekly and has done for well over 2 years. He doesn't do online banking and struggles with his finances, hence recieving his payments weekly, so when he's been paid today there was a larger amount than he'd normally receive without looking into where the extra money has come from,. If it does happen to be a fault with universal credit and would mean he'd received his full month's money in one go would that qualify for a change in circumstances advance payment with him now having to wait a full month for another payment? Thanks in advance. 

I can't help but wonder if it's because UC rates are meant to go up this month, however, it might be a mistake. 

poppy123456

wkd said:

anniej9464 said:

Hi, hope everyone is well. 

A friend of mine usually receives there UC payments weekly and has done for well over 2 years. He doesn't do online banking and struggles with his finances, hence recieving his payments weekly, so when he's been paid today there was a larger amount than he'd normally receive without looking into where the extra money has come from,. If it does happen to be a fault with universal credit and would mean he'd received his full month's money in one go would that qualify for a change in circumstances advance payment with him now having to wait a full month for another payment? Thanks in advance. 

I can't help but wonder if it's because UC rates are meant to go up this month, however, it might be a mistake. 

That would not be the reason. Benefits increase from 8th April. However, for UC purposes the increases will not start until May and will apply first to those that have assessment periods that start on or after 8th April and these will be the first to see the increase. The first increase will be for those that receive the payment on or after 14th May. For some people they will not receive the increase until their June payment. 

wkd

poppy123456 said:

wkd said:

anniej9464 said:

Hi, hope everyone is well. 

A friend of mine usually receives there UC payments weekly and has done for well over 2 years. He doesn't do online banking and struggles with his finances, hence recieving his payments weekly, so when he's been paid today there was a larger amount than he'd normally receive without looking into where the extra money has come from,. If it does happen to be a fault with universal credit and would mean he'd received his full month's money in one go would that qualify for a change in circumstances advance payment with him now having to wait a full month for another payment? Thanks in advance. 

I can't help but wonder if it's because UC rates are meant to go up this month, however, it might be a mistake. 

That would not be the reason. Benefits increase from 8th April. However, for UC purposes the increases will not start until May and will apply first to those that have assessment periods that start on or after 8th April and these will be the first to see the increase. The first increase will be for those that receive the payment on or after 14th May. For some people they will not receive the increase until their June payment. 

Thanks for that insight Poppy,  I  appreciate learning things from you, as when my family or friends ask I can offer them the right advice, that is why though I said perhaps in my reply. 

 I know my uplift isn't until June 1st, as I found it out last year.  I didn't realise that the uplift starts on April 8th, I assumed it would be April 1st, but my mum used to say assume means an ass of you and me and she was right.