Universal credit claim revue help

ismgypsyjojo

good afternoon everybody I could really do with your help. I have a universal claim review on Friday and I’ve already uploaded my bank statements. I had many conversations over a period of months with council after a horrible housing crisis.

I received a letter from the council stating the benefits I was entitled to for the next 3 to 4 years and that was clarified.

I have adhd autism and DisCalculor and I thought that the council were the same thing as universal credit.

I’ve always thought that the council were aware of the address that I had to locate to because of the letter they had sent me a time now very worried as I think the universal credit is still in my old address which was three years ago.

I get very muddled up with forms and official documents and I’m now very concerned but I will get penalised as I genuinely thought that when I was speaking to the council they were the same thing as universal credit

can someone please advise me? What to do is I’m very worried.

Albus_Scope

Hey there @ismgypsyjojo and welcome to the community. 😁

You're right, the council is separate from the DWP. They do ask that you inform the DWP asap of any changes of address, so I'd suggest you give them a quick ring and explain the situation, I'm sure it'll be ok. 😊

ismgypsyjojo

Thankyou i’m just so worried as i remember having a call with the council tax department and then saying to me ‘welcome to brighton council you are now fully on board on our system an we are happy to have you’ - and i’ve got a letter frommbrighton council saying my UC credit payments ongoing for the next 4 years.

I had no idea UC weren’t the council and now i’m terrified i’m going to be investigated for fraud or have to pay back significant amounts of money as i didn’t realise my adress was still highlighted for my old borough in kingston.

i’m going out of my mind with worry now

ismgypsyjojo

Can anyone give me a bit more insight if possible please 🙏

Albus_Scope

I'm afraid I can't give any more insight, other than you'll need to explain the situation to the DWP tomorrow. As the DWP themselves don't pay the housing element, you shouldn't be in any trouble, as long as the previous council payments have stopped.

Hopefully some of the community will be able to offer some more support soon. 😊

ismgypsyjojo

I called universal credit today and explained that i’d been transparent with the council and i’d genuinely thought from the letters i’d received that al my details were accounted for.

He was really nice but didn’t give me any advice as to how this would effect my payments of if i’ll owe back over payments.

I’m just so incredibly worried they will change the payments i get and i won’t be able to pay my current rent of i’ll be accused of fraud even though i genuinely believed everything was up to date.

I’m scared i’ll be fined or worse and i’m incredibly concerned.

ismgypsyjojo

Who pays the housing element then?

I find it all so confusing especially with my ADHD, Dyscalculia, Autism and my disabilities.

I had to flee my former flat which was in a different borough as my flat was declared unfit for human habitation and i had mountains of liasing with the council i moved to so thought everyone was on the same page and everything was declared.

my UC has just been running in the background so i’ve had no reason to look at it.

i’m so frightened

WhatThe

Hi jojo and welcome to Scope 😊

DWP operates Universal Credit for the government. DWP/UC then notifies local government ie your council of your entitlement to welfare benefits.

The council follows directions from DWP/UC so there is a muddle somewhere in the system but it doesn't mean you are at fault. I know this is easy to say but try not to panic. This is exactly what reviews are for, to iron them out. They do not make on-the-spot decisions so wait for the outcome.

It IS terrifying to be questioned by these agents when your future is at stake (your security and mental health) and you've no idea what you'll be asked! I've cried and ranted through several - during the last one, every time I interrupted (autistic!!!), he would read his script from the beginning again, very slowly, in a thick African accent. It was so difficult to listen to that I was hissing responses in an effort not to swear. They don't say much in between questions. If you need a drink of water or need to find a document, just say so. You will get through this.

WhatThe

The council calculates the amount of Housing Element paid in your UC award. They also calculate the amount of Council Tax payable by yourself.

Both calculations follow notifications from DWP/UC.

Mary_Scope

A warm welcome to the community from me @ismgypsyjojo 😄