Are these questions normal?

louise1010

Universal credit are asking me about the 8mths before I claimed UC. Did I have any gaps in employment, did I live with a partner and how much I earned per month? Is this normal? We have been claiming for the last 6months now ?

Ails

Hi @louise1010 and welcome to the Community.  It's nice to meet you.  I'm not too sure about this as I'm not receiving Universal Credit myself so not much help to you, I'm afraid, sorry!  However, I'm sure some of our members who are receiving Universal Credit may know and be best to advise you and if so they will post here.  You could maybe give Universal Credit a call to ask why they are asking these questions I suppose?  I hope you get the information you are looking for anyway.  All the best. 

louise1010

Thankyou xx 

chiarieds

@louise1010 - Welcome to the community from me too. The questions about UC seem normal, but would have thought them asked initially rather than 6 months later. I will ask a member of the Scope team to better answer on Tuesday.

chiarieds

@Adrian_Scope or @Chloe_Scope please would you advise here, thank you.

Adrian_Scope

Hi @louise1010 and welcome to the community.
These questions are usually related to the benefit cap and whether the grace period will be applied. They tend to pop up when no wages have been picked up by the system, or there's a possibility of you being capped. Universal Credit are checking your household had an income over £604/£569 a month for the past 12 months, to see if you're entitled to the grace period from the benefit cap.

I hope that makes sense but if there's anything else I can explain, let me know!

louise1010

Oh ok I understand now. My husband works full time and my daughter gets high rate dla so the cap doesnt apply to us anyway. It must be sent out to everyone maybe. Thanks for your reply 

Adrian_Scope

Hi @louise1010. Yes it’s sent out to everyone automatically even if they’re exempt from the cap because they receive DLA/PIP etc.