UC Payments Cut Suddenly - Help!

Luna_Rose

Anyone else also had their UC claims massively reduced (I'm told due to a historical admin error) and have any tips for help I can receive? Really anxious as I can only apply for jobs and hope I get picked - I'm applying for anything I can do atm !

After rent (bills inclusive) and CT I'm now left with £38 for the month for everything (food, phone bill, hygiene products, etc.)!! UC say the claim is now correct and are totally unsympathetic and offering zero advice. Really concerned about my health at this stage if I don't find another income. Anyone had a similar experience and can offer advice?

I'm in the Limited capability group for UC but that doesn't give me anything extra - despite being limited on jobs I can do due to my neurological condition.

Thanks !

poppy123456

What historical admin error are you referring to? Which elements are included with your UC? Do you or a partner work?

Luna_Rose

Hiya, so they changed my housing bracket from Local to Shared Accomodation (apparently I should have been on shared the whole time and I was on local rate by admin error) so that has totally cut my money down - they haven't yet said if I need to pay it back 😬.

I get housing and standard allowance.

I've just finished my degree in Sept so I'm now job hunting, so i'm unemployed currently, and it's just me no partner

Luna_Rose

Was previously part time studying so UC was still able to be paid -

poppy123456

If you're privately renting and you're under 35 then you'll be entitled to the shared rate of Local housing allowance. (LHA) If you're claiming either daily living PIP or DLA mid/high rate care then you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA.

When claiming UC all overpayments are recoverable.

If you're not currently claiming a disability benefit, have you looked at claiming PIP? (assuming you're not living in Scotland. It's not awarded based on any diagnosis. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on how your conditions affect you. There's some information in the link here.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

The best one to read is this one.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

For the shortfall of rent, have you looked at claiming a Discretionary Housing Payment. (DHP) It's not guaranteed and if awarded it's only for a short period of time before you have to reapply but it's worth looking into. It needs to be claimed from your local Authority.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments