Hi, my name is Matt785! Looking for advice on LCWRA underpayment from UC

Matt785

Morning everyone, still no response from UC on the underpayment issue. I have asked and been told that they are trying to sort it out. Then I have asked what it is that needs sorting out but had no reply to any messages, not including the shut down over bank holiday obviously. Really don't know where to go from here now as it was awarded nearly a month ago and I keep getting ignored via my journal.

janer1967

Try not to worry about the time it is taking a month isnt that long for dwp to sort out an issue 

They will probably only reply in your journal once there is something to say , there is no point to them just saying we are trying to sort it 

They do have huge backlogs and the bank holiday will have impacted as well 

erin2490

It took me weeks to get things sorted with them. i find managing to get in contact with universal credit really frustrating and getting a response so hard work... aswell as been told different things by different workers. ive recentally been backpayed 2800 all in one go after weeks of messages too and from my case manager trying to get it sorted.
I was never told i would get it over a 7 month period but from what someone has said above it might be because of how much it is? I hope you get it sorted soon..

Caz_Alumni

Just wanted to stop by and hi @Matt785

Sorry to hear that you're not getting anywhere fast on this. 

Hopefully though, the comments from our community members have helped to put your mind at rest that some delay is (very unfortunately) often a part of the process at the moment.

Fingers crossed you hear something soon. Keep us posted

Matt785

Morning everyone, so yesterday I was paid a part payment in line with what I was originally told - That my underpayment would be paid back to me in installments over 7 months on my regular UC payment dates. It does look like that I will be paid in installments over 7 months now as I haven't had any response from UC.

janer1967

At least you have something 

They may still be looking at your request for full payment don't give up if you think you should be paid a lump sum 

Adrian_Scope

Hi @Matt785. Even if they've scheduled it in instalments you are still within your rights to request the full amount paid to you in one go. If you want it paid this way then please try talking to them again. Have you had any contact at all since your last message?

Matt785

Hi @Adrian_Scope I have requested it paid in full a number of times, the only response I had was on the 26th of March to say that the UC contact was talking to his line manager about it and he would have an update 'soon'. That was two weeks ago and I have had no response to messages sent since then. I have been polite not bombarded them but still ignored. At a bit of a loss what to do next now?

Matt785

Hi everyone, still no resolution to the problem, and no response to my messages. Is it worth me ringing the DWP or is that just the same as UC?

calcotti

Matt785 said:

Hi everyone, still no resolution to the problem, and no response to my messages. Is it worth me ringing the DWP or is that just the same as UC?

UC is part of DWP.

SarahUCE

I find this interesting as I’ve seen an increase in claimants facing similar struggles this past month. The cynic in me would assume a training or mail-out in early March reminded staff that paying this way was possible and many case managers have jumped on it.

That aside, @Matt785 I would try sending a final message under both “about a payment” AND “service issues” along the lines of:

Dear Case Manager,
I’ve sought advice and been informed that if a claimant requests their arrears of benefit in full rather than instalments, you must adhere to this and pay it as soon as possible. 

As my requests have thus far been ignored, could you provide me with the details of your official complaints procedure as I’d like to make a formal complaint.

SarahUCE

I forgot to add, you don’t need them to explain the complaints procedure, it’s just something that usually prompts some action. 

If you don’t receive a reply within 2 working days of the above message, I’d either go along the lines of a formal complaint or ask your MP to intervene. 

If you choose to, you can make a complaint here:
https://makeacomplaint.dwp.gov.uk/

Missjones89

Hi could I ask how far back did they award your lcwra element I. Have been asking for a wca since 2019 at final stages now but prev work coach or current would not except non of medical pip awards for this to trigger as I work part time in receipt of PIP continuously MP now involved aswell CAB

Thanks

calcotti

Deleted - realised covered in another thread.