All time LOW for the DWP!!!!!

Lthorpe

A week ago we let UC know that we had lost our amazing and beautiful little girl, after a 2 year battle with cancer, she was only 4. We're devasted, she was so loved and much wanted and the kindest most beautiful soul anyone could know.

Yesterday barely a week after our whole world has fallen apart we got a text to say both me and my partner have been given work commitment interviews for next week at the job centr!! I explained we're in no state to look for work right now and they said we have to or they will stop our claim because he is no longer a carer and I no longer have responsibility for a child!!!

Today we've not got a letter on account saying that since we now have a SPARE BEDROOM we will be bedroom taxed.

I'm not at all surprised but am thoroughly disgusted how careless and cruel their wording is and that there's no grace period or even time to grieve. Even an employee gives leave

what can we do please?

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Sorry to hear about this. There is actually a 3 month grace period.

You can read the guidance for that here - 055._Death_and_Bereavement-Guidance_V21.0.pdf

Kimi87

I know you might not have the strength right now, but I'd recommend raising a formal complaint https://makeacomplaint.dwp.gov.uk/

and contacting your MP to share what has happened.

Mary_Scope

Hi @Lthorpe and a warm welcome to the community from me😊

I'm very sorry for the loss of your little girl, what you and your partner are going through at the moment must be so incredibly difficult. I'm also really sorry you have had to deal with so much stress with UC at this painful time.

The official DWP Death and Bereavement Guidance is that anything work related must be "switched off" for a mandatory 6 month easement following the death of a child. This means that your payments cannot be sanctioned or stopped for refusing to look for work right now.

There is also the 3 month Bereavement Run-On rules which means that your Universal Credit must continue unchanged for the assessment period in which your daughter passed away plus the following two assessment periods. This means that the bedroom tax cannot legally be applied during this timeframe.

Hicks

im sorry to read about your child thats really sad and wouldnt wish that pain on anyone

i can kind of see dwps point though its the process and as hurtful as it is you do now have a spare room and stuff.

if you are both too depressed to be able to work because of it can you get a sick note from your doctor?

Anhedonia2

I don't have any advice but wish to add my condolences, it's a pain like no other and something not many could truly understand💮

Rosie_Scope

So very sorry to hear of your daughter's passing. I can see that others have already given some advice, so I hope there's a resolution there for you that allows you some space to grieve. UC admin is just the last thing you need after such a devastating loss. As another member has said, it may be worth making a complaint if you can find the strength but I know that might feel too much right now.

Sending lots of love to you and your family 💜

Autumnleaf

I would like to add my deep condolences. I can't imagine what you're going through even before the DWP mis-steps. I do hope you get the bereavement process sorted out at lease.

Stellar

so sorry for your loss.

if you can't make the complaint by yourself or even remind the DWP work coach about the 3 month grace period, get someone to help draft the messages for you.