The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that Universal Credit claimants can receive an extra month’s payment if their claim has been delayed.
This backpay is available to those newly applying to Universal Credit if there are specific issues causing a delay in their application.
As more people are being transferred from older benefits to Universal Credit, fresh guidance has been issued. Those on tax credits were instructed to make the switch before the end of March.
Since then, individuals receiving Housing Benefit and Income Support have been sent letters urging them to transition to Universal Credit.
This month (July), it’s the turn of those receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with Child Tax Credits.
Those on income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or who receive income-related ESA either alone or with Housing Benefit are expected to transition in September.
Individuals have three months to submit a new claim for Universal Credit before their existing benefits are terminated.
To bridge the gap between old and new payments, a two-week run-on is available for those who receive income-based Jobseeker’s JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support, or Housing Benefit.
This means they continue to receive these benefits for two weeks after applying for Universal Credit, helping them during the five-week wait for their first UC payment, reports Birmingham Live.
Individuals experiencing difficulties with the application process or those impacted by transitional issues might qualify for an additional month of Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced.
In a recent update regarding the retroactive claims on Universal Credit, the authorities stated: “You may be able to backdate your claim if you or your partner were delayed in making a claim through no fault of your own. Claims can be backdated for up to one calendar month from the date of your claim.”
Circumstances under which backdating can be approved include cases where individuals with disabilities or health concerns, including mental health challenges, could not file their claims earlier, or scenarios wherein technical problems with the online Universal Credit application system prevented timely claiming, but action was taken promptly after the system’s restoration.
Further grounds for applying for retrospective Universal Credit payments encompass instances where a recipient was transitioning from another benefit but wasn’t informed about its cessation, or situations where a joint claim was initially made with a partner, then subsequently separated leading to a single person claim. Moreover, cases where DWP staff misinformation led to delays may also be eligible for backpayments.
Supporting evidence might be required when requesting backdating. For those needing financial assistance during the waiting period for their inaugural Universal Credit payout, it is possible to request an advance via the Universal Credit online portal.
This advance typically matches the anticipated amount of the first payment and must be repaid through deductions from subsequent Universal Credit installments.
When you apply for Universal Credit, a one-month assessment period begins during which your financial circumstances are taken into account to decide how much you are entitled to get.
Your benefit goes into your account seven days after that, and this date then becomes your regular Universal Credit payment date.
