Checklists

Claims: Checklists

Claiming Checklist - once claim is made....

Moving into ‘specified accommodation’ or ‘temporary accommodation’ of itself will not trigger the need to claim UC, but, if the claimant is having another change in circumstances or they were not previously on any benefits, they will probably need to claim UC. As UC does not help with rent in ‘specified accommodation’ or ‘temporary accommodation’ the claimant must make a claim for Housing Benefit. Ensure that the Housing Benefit department of the local authority realise that they count as living in specified/temporary accommodation so they know to pay HB.
Were they able to verify ID online? – if not, they MUST book an ID appointment at the Job Centre - and attend.
Do they have a bank account? – if not, they can use the Payment Exception Service instead. Or if they need to get a bank account set up, they should do so as soon as possible and update their UC account so that payments can be received.
Any evidence they may struggle to provide? – they have a calendar month in which to provide evidence (and can request an extension) but any delay in providing could delay the UC payment.
Likely date of first payment – let the claimant know when they are likely to receive their first payment and future payments, and discuss budgeting/payment issues. The first payment will be due a calendar month and seven days after the date the claim was submitted,
Will they manage until first payment? - or do they need an Advance Payment? – Will it be a New Claim or Benefit Transfer Advance? Both are repaid over 12 months. It should be a Benefit Transfer if the claimant was paid a ‘legacy benefit’ at any point in the month before making the UC claim; this is preferable as there is as no need to show hardship. Other support needed – Local welfare provision / food bank voucher etc?
Will they cope with their UC being paid monthly? - if not, they can ask for more frequent payments under Alternative Payment Arrangements (normally twice monthly – ½ at normal time and ½ approximately 14 days later).
Did they request their UC claim be backdated? - this should not delay the first UC payment. The DWP can allow an initial assessment period, shorter than one month if applicable, to allow a backdate without it affecting the date of claim and so without it affecting the first assessment period.
Rent Verification – what rent figure was put on the claim? What date was given as the tenancy start date? What name and address was given for the landlord? If any of these are incorrect this could delay the Housing Costs Element. So provide the claimant with the correct information and encourage them to change it on their UC account.
Are there arrears already on the rent account? Would the claimant struggle to pay rent? – would an APA Managed Payment be appropriate?
Initial interviews/meetings – the claimant may need to book and attend several interview / meetings as part of the claim, and if a couple, both members will. Depending on the ‘type’ of interview/meeting the claim can be closed down very quickly for failure to attend. Will they have any problems attending these? Tell the claimant/s to check texts/emails daily, attend all interviews/meetings and arrive early! Claims are often closed before giving the claimant the correct time limits.
On ESA before claiming UC and not been found fit for work? - then the decision on their limited capability (and any extra component) should be transferred to their UC claim if there is no gap between the ESA ending and their UC, but this is regularly missed. So it's worth the claimant mentioning this to their work coach and adding a message to their Journal; and challenging if it is missing from the first assessment. NOTE: They are likely to be referred for a new Work Capability Assessment.
On ESA before claiming UC and was found fit for work? - they can challenge the ‘found fit’ decision via Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) and appeal; although they'll need to continue meeting their Claimant Commitment until the outcome is known. If they win, they'll stay on UC, but could receive more UC and no work search requirements.
What will their Claimant Commitment say? - encourage claimant to be honest with their work coach about what they can and can’t do / educational achievements / health issues / other issues, to ensure reasonable adjustments / realistic expectations and so avoid sanctions. Work search can be ‘turned off’ for limited periods in certain circumstances such as: fleeing violence, drug/alcohol dependence and undergoing structured treatment.
Chat through the claimant’s responsibilities on UC – in particular time limits for reporting changes (to avoid overpayments and £50 civil penalty); and ensuring they check texts/emails and they do what the work coach requires, to avoid sanctions.
Do they have ongoing access to the internet? – they'll need this to manage the claim, so they need to think about where and when they can access it – many claimants will need daily access. Do they need help / training / direction to computer clubs etc? Would they be better on the 'offline' system?
Communication is online by default - with texts or emails sent (whichever the claimant chose as their preferred method of contact). So they MUST regularly check phone/email and MUST inform DWP if they change phone number or email address. Would they be better on the 'offline' system?
How much UC are they entitled to? Ensure this will be correct by providing correct information, and checking the breakdown when it arrives on their UC account.
Many claimants will see a drop in their income – they may need to re-think their budget.
Check Housing Costs Element: there are common problems with eg. absent joint tenants (aka ‘untidy tenancies’) and housing costs contributions (ie. non-dependant deductions).
Any long term health problems? If not previously on ESA they can provide a ‘fit note’ and request a Work Capability Assessment. They can request that the Claimant Commitment takes account of health problems, but must ensure they meet commitment requirements until the outcome of the WCA is known.
Are they a carer for a disabled person / child? – could they get the Carer Element included in assessment?
Responsible for child/young person on DLA/PIP? - they should get a Disabled Child Element included in the assessment.
On PIP daily living or DLA mid or high rate care? – then there should not be any Housing Costs Contribution (ie. non-dependant deduction) deducted from their Housing Costs Element.
Council Tax Support – if already on CTS ensure the LA know they have claimed UC; otherwise make a new claim for CTS promptly if they could be entitled. Universal Credit is NOT a passport to Council Tax Support, so the LA may ask for information/evidence in connection with the claim and will usually need to see the UC award breakdown as they generally use some of the figures when assessing CTS. Note LA policies vary: many have a minimum contribution.
Existing bill payments – the claimant may need to adjust the date on which paid, and notify the creditor if due to UC payment date they are likely to miss their next due payment.
Could there be any deductions?
- If for a sanction – which can be transferred across from JSA/ESA - is it worth challenging? (see website for more information).
- Social Fund Loan – can ask for it to be recovered over longer period?
- Third Party Deductions – are taken at a higher rate than through legacy benefits.
- ‘Old’ DWP debts? - are taken at higher rate than through legacy benefits.
- HB Overpayments - are taken at higher rate than through legacy benefits.
Finished work? – any wages / tax refunds etc, count as earnings for the Monthly Assessment Period in which they were received.
Employed? – advise that the UC award will be based on wages received in each Monthly Assessment Period (MAP) – so the award can vary – how can they ensure rent is paid? Warn them that if UC award drops to nil one month that they might have to make a reclaim for payments of UC to start again (DWP might keep it open 5 weeks but this is discretionary).
Self-Employed? – they will need to report income and expenses on monthly basis – at end of each Monthly Assessment Period (MAP).
And if been trading 12 months or more could be affected by the ‘minimum income floor’ rules. Warn them that if UC award drops to nil one month that they might have to make a reclaim for payments of UC to start again. (DWP might keep it open 5 weeks but this is discretionary).
Childcare costs? – some people who weren’t eligible for childcare costs on legacy benefits will be eligible under UC as unlike legacy benefits there are no ‘hours’ rules. Also explain childcare costs act as a refund ie. childcare must be paid for upfront; claimant must report amount paid for childcare every month by the end of the MAP in which paid – and then provide evidence.
Been on HB?
- And moved home – no HB for notice period at old property unless it was ‘specified’ or ‘temporary accommodation’.
- HB ended due to claiming UC? Check they received their 2 week HB run-on.
- HB paid for a period for which a UC claimant is not entitled will be treated as unearned income and reduce UC award £1 for £1.
Is it too late to go back on to legacy benefits? – yes. (Very limited exceptions for some 'protected mixed age couples' in the period before first UC award paid).
Are they getting all the other benefits they are entitled to? - remember UC only replaces the legacy benefits – all the other benefits can still be claimed and could increase claimant’s overall income - in particular Personal Independence Payment.
Any vulnerabilities that may mean they need help with ensuring claim made and continues? - highlight to work coach. Would they be better on the offline system?

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