Backdated benefits not disregarded?

MissMarple · February 21

I reported a change of circumstances to UC. They blocked my payments until the changes would be verified. As I needed a home visit, I waited several months for this to happen while not receiving any payments. Eventually, they verified the changes and I got the missing payments all on the same day. The statements were generated the same day when the payments came through, but they did not indicate the delay at all. They were dated as if they'd been created in November and said "X amount was paid on 10 November". Although I actually only received the money in February. I would think that the amount I received with several months delay should be classed as backdated benefit payment and disregarded for capital. I asked for confirmation of this through my journal. They said it would be disregarded. Now I've got my latest statement and they did NOT disregard the amount despite me reporting it as backdated benefit payment and even leaving a note about it for clarification of what happened.

I'm not sure if this qualifies as backdated benefits or not. It's not a big difference in the money I get monthly, but if the amount is disregarded, I expect to go under the 6k capital limit soon. If not disregarded, I would stay over 6k, having to keep reporting capital, stand the scrutiny, possibly more delays in payments etc. It would be such a relief for my mental health not to have to deal with that. But I don't want to spend the energy fighting this decision if they are actually right about it.

Anyone has a clue?

MissMarple · February 22

Thank you for your reply @willow1 They just seem to be incredibly slow and clueless. My typical interaction with UC: I ask a question through my journal. They ignore it. After a couple of weeks I ask it again. They reply with something generic that has nothing to do with my question. I ask the question again. They finally give an answer. Then they do something that contradicts the answer given. This, ad infinitum. It's incredibly frustrating.

chiarieds · February 22

Hi @MissMarple - arrears of UC are disregarded as far as capital goes if received in the last 12 months. See the Universal Credit Regulations Schedule 10 para 18 & quote this if you have any problems with disregarding your arrears. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/376/schedule/10

OverlyAnxious · February 23

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1103881#Comment_1103881

I've given up asking anything in the journal. I just update my savings online and the new payment is calculated automatically. If they want anything else from me they'll have to ask for it.

In your case, it might be worth just updating savings online, and putting the backpay figure in the box for disregarded savings. That will either reduce the deductions on the next payment automatically, or trigger the UC staff to check it. That is likely to be more effective than writing in the journal again.

MissMarple · February 23

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1103997#Comment_1103997

Thank you so much @chiarieds This is exactly what I was looking for but didn't manage to dig it up. Awesome!

MissMarple · February 23

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1104039#Comment_1104039

Haha @willow1 It feels exactly as you described. I have chronic fatigue so can't really cope with phone calls, and I prefer to have things in writing. It's a nightmare either way.

MissMarple · February 23

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1104189#Comment_1104189

This is what I did @OverlyAnxious I did the online savings update, plus left a note in the journal to explain why I included the disregard. They just ignored it.

OverlyAnxious · February 24

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1104198#Comment_1104198

Oh, that is strange. It should have been automatic if you put the backpay figure into the disregards page.

They will ignore journal notes about savings. I asked about deducting the cost of living payments several times and never got an answer at all. Just been doing it my own way ever since. If that's wrong then I'll just have to deal with it if I ever get reviewed.

Backdated benefits not disregarded?

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