Hi, my name is jacklily221! Backdated UC, joint to single claim

jacklily221
jacklily221 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
edited September 25 in Universal Credit (UC)

hello

I’m new to the community. I just wondered if someone could offer any advise. My daughter has been awarded dla. I contacted universal credit asking for carers and the disability element to be backdate to the 4th March. They are only backdating to the 25th May, as this is when I went from a joint to a single claim. Is this correct?

It seems so unfair I had to do the single claim due to domestic violence. Seems unfair to lose 3 months of backdah because of this. Thank you

Comments

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 1,653 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @jacklily221 and welcome to the community 😊

    This isn't something I'm very familiar with but I found some information about this here. It mentions that the disabled child element should be automatically backdated either to the date your UC claim started or the date your child's DLA award started - whichever is most recent. In your case, changing from a joint to a single claim is classed as a new claim, which is why they've backdated until the 25th May.

    I agree that it seems unfair, especially considering your circumstances. I hope that you're ok and getting some support.

  • Emilee
    Emilee Community member Posts: 235 Empowering

    This should be backdated to March 4th. The situation is complicated due to the change in claims. The backdated amount from when you were on a joint claim will be assigned to that claim, meaning the amount will be split between both claimants. Typically, this payment is automatically directed to the account where the Universal Credit was originally deposited.

    All calculations are performed manually, and the person who approved the backdate may not have considered the connection to your previous joint claim, as it would mean them being proactive in looking, which unfortunately many staff are not.

    I recommend asking why the backdate hasn’t been applied to March 4th. Once you receive their response, you can request that it be escalated to a decision maker and explain your reasoning.

  • jacklily221
    jacklily221 Community member Posts: 3 Listener

    thank you so much. When it was a joint claim the universal credit went into my account. Which due to the personal circumstances I don’t want my ex to have any of it. When it’s me who’s looking after my daughter both now as a single parent and when on a joint claim. Thank you I will go back to them.

  • Emilee
    Emilee Community member Posts: 235 Empowering

    Unfortunately you won't get to decide that. Any money owed on a joint claim, is jointly owned. The period from 25th May will be yours alone, but March to May is legally owned by the joint claimants and should legally be split between you.

    It may seem unfair, especially given the circumstances, but it is how joint claims work.

  • jacklily221
    jacklily221 Community member Posts: 3 Listener

    thank you. Hopefully it will make a difference that I was on the joint claim as the main caregiver. And that I am getting carers for her back to then.
    I understand why it’s split on a joint claim. But certainly I unfair he should get any of it. When he’s not even allowed to see his children, due to threatening to kill one of them.

    Thank you all for your help