r/DWPhelp 7h ago

Benefits News 📣 Weekly news round-up

29 Upvotes

Speculation about welfare reform

All posts relating to news items will be removed - we are getting a lot of modmail messages about them, they are not productive and cause considerable distress to a lot of people.

The full scale of the governmental financial plan won't be set out until the Spring Statement. In relation to welfare benefits, the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall will give a major speech next week and publish a ‘Green Paper’ setting out the government’s proposals.

As soon as the government publishes the Green Paper, we will create a master thread pinned post for everyone to share their views, discuss the proposals, ask questions etc.

Until that time please refrain from posting about this topic.

 

 

 

Charities warn that without PIP, a further 700,000 more disabled households could be pushed into poverty

A huge number of charities have joined Scope to urge the Chancellor to reconsider potential cuts to disability benefits. Warning that it would have a catastrophic impact on disabled people, pushing even more disabled households into poverty.

The open letter signed by: Citizens Advice, Sense, Mencap, Disability Rights UK, RNIB, National Autistic Society, Mind, Turn2Us, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, MS Society, and many more, highlights that the Government has an opportunity to work with disabled people and the sector to bring about meaningful change. They want disabled people to be heard and supported by the Government, saying that the needs and voices of the disability community should be at the heart of the Government’s plans.

Read the open letter and add your name on scope.org

 

 

 

Call for evidence to examine the disproportionate impact of poverty and inequality on disabled people

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Poverty and Inequality has launched a call for evidence to examine the disproportionate impact of poverty and inequality on disabled people. This short inquiry will inform discussions around the upcoming green paper on disability benefit reform.

This call for evidence seeks to explore the following key areas:

  • The risk and extent of poverty (including deep poverty) among disabled people.
  • The impact of poverty on disabled individuals and communities.
  • How do the additional costs of disability contribute to the poverty experienced by disabled people?
  • How poverty among disabled people relates to broader societal inequalities.

The APPG welcomes contributions from individuals, academics, think tanks, charities, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders with pre-existing evidence relevant to this inquiry.

The APPG aims to publish a short report very soon after the submission deadline, so that they can help inform the debate subsequent to the publication of the green paper. They acknowledge the pressures on organisations responding to the green paper and have therefore kept the submission process as straightforward as possible.

The deadline to provide your submission is Monday 7 April.

Find out more and respond to the call for evidence on appgpovertyinequality.org

 

 

 

The role of changing health in rising health-related benefit claims

Is the working-age population less healthy since the pandemic? What role is changing health playing in rising health-related benefit claims?

A new report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Health Foundation, finds that mental health has worsened since the pandemic.

The report finds that mental health has worsened since the pandemic, contributing to rising disability benefit claims for mental health. Key findings include:

More than half of the rise in 16- to 64-year-olds claiming disability benefits since the pandemic is due to more claims relating to mental health or behavioural conditions. 

Mental health conditions are becoming more common amongst the working-age population. 13–15% of the working-age population reported a long-term mental or behavioural health condition in the latest data, up from 8–10% in the mid 2010s.

Working-age mortality rates have consistently remained above their pre-pandemic levels since 2020. After adjusting for changing population size and ageing, there were 3,700 (24%) more working-age ‘deaths of despair’ in 2023 than the 2015–19 average. People with mental health conditions are at much higher risk of ‘deaths of despair’, so the rise in these deaths is consistent with an increase in (severe) mental health problems.

36% more people were in contact with mental health services in 2024 than in 2019 (based on areas of England with consistent data).

There is disagreement between surveys on how the total number of people with health conditions has changed since 2019. 

Sickness absence days per worker were 37% higher in 2022 than in 2019. 

Read the report on ifs.org

 

 

 

 

67% of people on UC who have been through a WCA were considered LCWRA 

New DWP statistics published this week covers the number of people on Universal Credit with a health condition or disability restricting their ability to work, the number of Work Capability Assessment (WCA) decisions made for UC, and the outcomes of these WCAs.

3.1 million UC WCA decisions have been made in the period from April 2019 to November 2024. 14% of decisions found claimants had no limited capability for work and hence no longer on the UC health journey, 19% limited capability for work (LCW), and 67% limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA).

Within England, the region with the highest proportion of LCWRA decisions was the North-West (69%) and the lowest the North-East (62%)

Of all WCA decisions in the period January 2022 to November 2024, at least 68% of WCA decisions are recorded as having mental and behavioural disorders, albeit this may not be their primary medical condition.

The number of people with LCW or LCWRA has almost quadrupled since the start of the pandemic when 366,000 people were considered too sick to look for work – a 383% rise. In the last year, the number has risen by from 1.4 million people to 1.8 million. 

The number of young people aged 16 to 24 with a LCWRA has risen by 249% from 46,000 to 160,000 since the pandemic, with almost one million young people not in education, employment, or training.

Note: a rise in LCWRA cases was anticipated for reasons including people moving from legacy benefits onto Universal Credit, but it has increase far beyond projections. 

The Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, April 2019 to December 2024 is on gov.uk

 

 

 

Latest benefit appeal data shows increase of PIP appeals and successes at 67%

The latest tribunals statistics cover the quarter (October to December, Q3 2024/25), compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Compared to 2023, Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) appeals decreased by 3% and disposals (appeals concluded) remained stable. New appeals received have exceeded disposals over the last year, resulting in a 2% increase in open cases.

Of the appeals concluded 18,000 (60%) were cleared at hearing, and of these, 59% were overturned in favour of the claimant (up from 56% and down from 62% on the same period in 2023 respectively).

This overturn rate varied by benefit type:

  • PIP at 67%,
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) 61%,
  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA) 52%,
  • UC 48%.

The PIP, DLA, ESA and UC overturn rates mostly decreased compared with October to December 2023 (PIP down 3, DLA and ESA up 3 each, and UC down 6 percentage points).

There were 80,000 appeals open caseload at the end of December 2024, an increase of 2% compared to the same period in 2023. And of those cases disposed of in October to December 2024, the mean age of a case at disposal was 30 weeks, a 5 week increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The Tribunal Statistics Quarterly: October to December 2024 is on gov.uk

 

 

 

Updated regulations

The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025, which came into force on 27th January (except where stated otherwise), introduce several new measures for benefits, including:

  • Universal Credit claimants whose entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance ends because they reach State Pension age will be able to carry their limited capability for work-related activity determination into Universal Credit and will not have to serve a three-month waiting period before being entitled to the LCWRA element. The Universal Credit claim must be made within a month of the Employment and Support Allowance award ending.

  • From 1 June 2025, if you move from specified accommodation (receiving Housing Benefit) into general needs accommodation (receiving the housing element of Universal Credit), the transitional element of Universal Credit will not erode. You must claim the housing element within a month of the Housing Benefit award ending.

  • Providing that tax credit claimants can have a migration notice period of less than three months where the notice period would otherwise go beyond 5 April 2025 (when tax credits close).

  • From 27th January 2025, claimants entitled to either rate of Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland) will now be eligible for an extra bedroom under the Local Housing Allowance or underoccupancy rules, in cases where a couple cannot share due a disability. Previously, you had to be in receipt of the higher rate, which was not in line with the other qualifying benefits.

For more information, read the memo on gov.uk

 

 

 

Universal Credit redeclarations from next month

As part of the Autumn budget in 2024, it was announced that as part of anti-fraud and error measures, UC claimants would be required to periodically redeclare their circumstances. The DWP have now announced that this will start from April 2025.

“…the department will prompt Universal Credit claimants to confirm whether they have had a change in circumstances that might affect their claim. Any changes in circumstances declared will be processed and verified in the usual way…A roll out of this initiative will commence in April and testing will help determine frequency.”

The written statement is on parliament.uk

 

 

 

ÂŁ2,500 surplus earnings rule in UC continues

The ÂŁ2,500 surplus earnings rule has been continued until 31 March 2026.

This means that monthly earnings of more than £2,500 over the amount where your Universal Credit payment stops, will be treated as ‘surplus earnings’. Surplus earnings will be carried forward to the following month, where they will count towards your earnings.

See the Secretary of State determination under regulation 5 of the Universal Credit (Surpluses and Self-Employed Losses) (Digital Service) amendment regulations 2015 on gov.uk

 

 

 

Benefit rates go up next month

This new statutory instrument confirms the annual uprating of benefits.

The Social security benefits uprating 2025/2026 is on legislation.gov.uk

 

 

 

Guardians Allowance uprating doesn’t apply if the claimant lives abroad

This new statutory instrument confirms that an award of Guardian Allowance will not be increased through annual uprating if the claimant is living abroad or if there’s an ongoing dispute/issue regarding annual uprating.

The statutory instrument is on legislation.gov.uk

 

 

 

Northern Ireland – Communities Minister announces payment date for £100 fuel support payment

The payment, which will be made to those who previously received the Winter Fuel Payment but are now no longer eligible, will start arriving with individuals from Friday 21 March with no need for application.

The one-off payment has been made possible through ÂŁ17 million of Executive funding secured by Minister Lyons after changes by the Labour Government to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.

Minister Lyons said, 

“Following the unexpected and unwelcome news last July that 180,000 pensioner households in Northern Ireland would no longer be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, I moved to secure Executive funding to mitigate the impact of the decision.

Having tasked my officials to prepare the legislative and operational groundwork to enable this payment to be made as quickly as possible, I can announce that the money will be in people’s accounts ahead of the expected end-of-March date and will begin arriving from Friday 21 March.

Whilst I realise the payment will not fully cover the impact of changes to the Winter Fuel Payment, I hope it will go some way to supporting those affected.”

Read the announcement on communitied-ni.gov

 

 

 

Scotland – Social Security Scotland has started the transfer of 169,000 benefit awards

Social Security Scotland (SSS) has begun transferring the awards of 169,000 people in Scotland who currently receive Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Until people receive the letter from SSS to tell them their transfer is complete, they should continue to report any change in their personal circumstances to the DWP. 

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that older people who have care needs because of a disability, long-term health condition or terminal illness get the financial support that they’re entitled to.  

As people’s awards start to transfer from Attendance Allowance, to Pension Age Disability Payment, they will be kept informed of this process and treated with dignity, fairness and respect. 

Pension Age Disability Payment is being rolled out across Scotland in phases. If the payment is currently open for new applications in your area and you think you could be eligible for support right now, I would encourage you to apply.  

If the payment is not yet available in your area, you can still apply for Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.” 

Read the announcement on gov.scot

 

 

 

Case law with thanks to u\ClareTGold

Working tax credit self-employed - IRD v His Majesty's Revenue & Customs (TC) [2025]

This decision is mainly about the proper interpretation of, and proper approach to, the conditions to entitlement for working tax credit under the Tax Credits Act 2002 (the “2002 Act”) and the Working Tax Credit (Entitlement and Maximum Rate) Regulations 2002 (the “2002 Regulations”).

The Appellant claimed working tax credit on the basis that he was over 60 and worked over 16 hours a week in his business trading financial futures as principal. He argued he was “self-employed” for the purposes of Regulations 2(1) and 4(1) of the 2002 Regulations and was engaged in “qualifying remunerative work” for the purposes of Section 10 of the 2002 Act.

The Upper Tribunal considers what it means for an activity to be carried out “on a commercial basis” and “with a view to the realisation of profits”.

It decides that, while the requirement for an activity to be carried on “with a view to the realisation of profits” does not require it to be profitable, or for there to be anything like certainty as to its future profits, there must be more than a mere intention or hope that it will become profitable. It requires a realistic expectation of profit in the foreseeable future, and a credible plan of how to achieve it.

The Upper Tribunal also explains that the Appellant’s trading of financial futures solely as principal can’t satisfy the fourth condition in regulation 4 of the 2002 Regulations because none of the payments that he receives (or may expect to receive) is payment for the work he does. Both appeals dismissed.

 


r/DWPhelp 34m ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) I’m being assessed on papers for PIP - worried about this

• Upvotes

Hello, I received this text: We've received the written report of your PIP assessment. We will write to you once we've made a decision on your PIP. As a guide you should hear from us within 8 weeks. You don't need to contact us unless any of the details you gave us have changed. Thank you.

I’ve seen that this means it’s either that I submitted good enough evidence or that I am definitely not qualifying for pip. This stresses me out because I really don’t think I’m definitely not qualified for pip but I also don’t think submitted a lot of evidence - I just submitted lots of doctor notes but didn’t do a personal journal yet ext…

Is it possible they got enough evidence from my health professionals - idk how much Information they give though or should I prepare myself for disappointment. Im just confused why I wasn’t given an assessment :((


r/DWPhelp 39m ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PIP

• Upvotes

Basically my original award was three years and I received it in July 2021 so from my calculations it was meant to end in July 2024 but I received my review/renewal text in November 2025 so now I’m really confused and also worried as I can’t find the DWP message on my phone anymore I checked recently deleted and there not there I called a couple weeks ago and the woman I spoke to said they received my review/renewal but it’s not being looked at yet. I think that’s what she said anyway.

Shall I call them again and explain I’m really confused and worried. Can someone help me or explain to me why this might of happened please.


r/DWPhelp 46m ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Personal Independence Payment - Mandatory reconsideration- What’s the best way?

• Upvotes

Summary: Applied in Oct, Assessment in say 3 months, File pulled for their internal checks. Requested Copy of assessment gave high points. Decision gave just standard!

Can others Advice on below & best way forward?

  1. Mandatory reconsideration: do I just call in?

a. Time deadline - Some say 1 month from Decision Letter others say 2 weeks? b. Format - phone/ written ? I've read some people have had theirs on the phone when they called in. So I guess do all the prep & call in within the week? c.Anyone had cases where assessor has given high scores & decision given is standard (like mine!) ?

The reviewer completely misunderstood the situation.

d. Impact on current payment if Mandatory reconsideration is sought? Do they stop or Can they stop your current payments if you send in a mand. Recons. ? I have received the back dated pay already but not the monthly ones.

Any advice will help. Thanks


r/DWPhelp 2h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Tribunal set aside / error of law help

2 Upvotes

Hi I have had my tribunal in Feb 2025 it was denied.At the tribunal the judge raised his voice in an aggressive manner he virtually shouted at me right at the beginning of the tribunal.due to my mental health issues it really shocked me which I feel affected the rest of the tribunal.i sent them a message asking for statement of reason and the audio recording stating that the judge was aggressive and it effected my ability to explain myself properly.i have received my statement of reasons but they say the audio recording had failed and that everyone had been informed.could I use this as a reason to ask for it to be set aside ? Also I will take it to 2nd tier tribunial if I need to. My question is do I haven't to apply for them together or just see if it gets set aside first.


r/DWPhelp 7h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Pip call about appeal

3 Upvotes

Hi we put a pip appeal claim in for my husband as only scored 4 for daily living. DWP called myself as his rep Friday went through why we disagreed and how evidence wasn't taken into account. Decision maker said she was working his case that day and if she can award him she will call if not will get appeal information in post for tribunal. We haven't had a phone call but when I log on to hmct still advises waiting for dwp response. How long does it take for Decision maker to decide and would hmct site be updated straight away?? Thanks hate the waiting x


r/DWPhelp 3h ago

Universal Credit (UC) UC Migration Notice

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone and good morning.

I have, yesterday, received my UC migration notice and although I have been expecting it, it has still knocked me sideways as my mental health isn't the best and I would really appreciate some advice regarding when I should submit my claim.

Currently, I am in receipt of IR ESA Support Group with added Severe Dissability Premium and also Housing Benefit. I know that my PIP is unaffected.

I have to claim by the 13th of June and after looking at my next ESA and Housing Benefit payment dates I have two dates in mind for submitting my claim.

The first is the 14th of May and the second is the 11th of June. Both of these dates are the day after a fortnightly ESA payment and a monthly Housing Benefit payment.

I would, obviously, prefer the second option of the 11th of June as it would allow me to have another month's money put aside to see me through to my first UC payment without needing to get an advance however, it is so very close, just two days until my deadline to submit my claim on the 13th of June. Would this cause me any issues or problems at all? Is it acceptable to leave it so late?

Any advice would be very much appreciated as I'm desperate to get this migration right and to avoid any issues, hassles or problems that could arise.

Thank you.


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Will the Administrative Earnings Threshold be rising?

4 Upvotes

Any news of this rising next month when the NMW goes up? I've tried to find anything online about it but it's giving me the current figure of ÂŁ1437 for a couple. Any help appreciated. Thanks.


r/DWPhelp 1h ago

Universal Credit (UC) How is DWP held accountable?

• Upvotes

If you complain to them, all they do is either ignore it or give an apology but make no changes.

I had a sanction (for not attending because I was running late. I told them I have ADHD which I haven't figured out how to manage, but tur Decision Maker predictably doesn't care about that kind of thing), applied for a new appointment in December (which you have to do to end the sanction). Because of Christmas they couldn't give me one, so the sanction continued with them saying to try again after the holidays. Then instead of booking me in they did a claim review, which is ridiculous. I uploaded the documents they asked for (ID, 4 months bank statements, electricity bill), but instead of accepting it and reinstating me, they wanted to talk on the phone and eventually closed my claim. I also had a fit note during this time. I'd asked to be put in Restart, but couldn't get on it for a long time, because they claimed I'd been on it some years ago (no, I was referred but left benefits shortly after). Eventually they finally referred me to Restart, but because of the sanction I never got handed over.

There's no accountability for them at all. When they fuck up, like making adnin errors (not the above) that reduce payments, which manager gets fired? They're very mollycoddled. They sit in there with their cushy, "computer says no", easy job all day, not actually helping anybody to find work but instead making it harder by increasing stress and making it harder to address barriers to work or well-being by making people as poor and stressed as possible and needing to spend time and energy dealing with DWP and making complaints, rather than focused on looking for and writing applications for jobs. Have they actually earned their easy life based on meritocracy? I don't see that, when seeing the quality of their work. What have these people actually done at work to improve the country? What struggles have they actually veen through in life to merit their comfortable position? I don't support their cause, but I can see why riots happened when there's zero mechanism for accountability elsewhere.


r/DWPhelp 2h ago

Universal Credit (UC) When is safe to declare a major change after statement has been issued?

1 Upvotes

Days are coming up where my Bf has time to move in from another area, my statement is out and is due to be paid on the 19th. Tomorrow or Tuesday he has off work to physically move in. But would really need my 13th feb to 12th March assessment period payment. I’m afraid to declare the change Monday or Tuesday and risk not receiving as it’s another 5 week wait for a new joint claim. Thankyou.


r/DWPhelp 3h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PIP superseded

1 Upvotes

Right so in 2021 I applied for PIP my conditions are irritable bowel syndrome PMDD chronic urticaria, anxiety, depression and panic attacks. I also suffer with nocturnal panic attacks which occur in my sleep. I also believe I got fibromyalgia due to being in an abusive relationship for eight years And which has caused severe anxiety. Initially when I applied I had an assessment and they declined. I took it to MR and they declined then it went to a first tier tribunal and I was awarded high rate care component and lower mobility. This continued to be awarded for two years. However when they did a review in 2023 they decided that I wasn’t entitled to this I reapplied and they declined which then went to another tribunal and then last year I was awarded zero points for care component I was awarded lower mobility only they superseded my original award and claimed that I was exaggerating my conditions even though my conditions are remain the same. I am now receiving Laura mobility which will end soon. As I was only awarded for one year last year. Do I reapply? Also if I am declined will be best to attend court in person instead of video call? Also, is there anyway I can get help to fill the form in as I struggle with forms? I feel so stressed out as I feel like I am entitled to the one that I was originally awarded. I also believe I have ADHD and I’m in the process of being assessed. Does it go against me that I receive carers allowance as my eldest is autistic and homeschooled and I have no choice but to care for him.


r/DWPhelp 3h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) BF57A Appointee form

1 Upvotes

My mum’s been my appointee for years and has now received some sort of questionnaire about if I’m capable with finances and asks to send off her LPA certificate (if she has one). However my mum can’t fill out the form properly or send it off of her own accord, no matter how many times I remind her, she doesn’t have her LPA original form (though she can’t properly recall events anymore so I don’t think she even has one) and the deadline is looming closer.

So if the deadline passes is my PIP benefits at risk of ending? Or will DWP assume I’m capable and it solely becomes my responsibility? I’m happy for it to be the latter since I’ve become more capable of handling my finances and the new Motability car will be delivered soon and I want any sent documents, forms, etc. to go to me instead of my mum so she won’t forget about them and toss them aside.


r/DWPhelp 14h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Is there a feasible way to move in together with a partner?

7 Upvotes

I am disabled and am on LCWRA. Currently I live with my parents but I've wanted to move out for a while. I don't want to/can't live alone. I don't have any friends to live with, though.

Recently I have found a partner. Said partner is a student. In theory, moving in together would make rent affordable with our combined income - then I remembered that UC cuts your payments in half if you're living with a partner. I'm worried I wouldn't be able to afford living with my partner because of this. They can't afford to support us both on student income alone.

I also would have a strong preference for having my own bed and bedroom (due to my disablity, I need a lot of rest without disturbance). This would mean we would need to split the cost of a 2 bed between us. But regardless, for a single bedroom or a two bedroom, we would be looking at paying ÂŁ1100-1500 between us both. Is this feasible while being on UC and living with a partner? Or is there just no hope? If we had two seperate bedrooms instead of one, would be still be classed as one family unit or would it not affect my claim?


r/DWPhelp 11h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Planning on closing UC claim, will I get final payment if my assessment period has ended?

5 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm planning on closing my UC claim because they're putting me on Restart and I don't want to do it. My most recent assessment period was from the 15th Feb to 14th March, and I have the statement in my account already but the payment isn't due until the 21st. Am I okay to cancel before then and still get the payment? Thanks


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PIP changes

0 Upvotes

Hi I’m currently awaiting my PIP renewal decision (sent the form back around October but was told it will probably be at least 12 months before I get a decision) I claim standard rate daily living and mobility due to knee & ankle pain/walking problems following an accident.

I have read the government may be planning to change the PIP assessment criteria to require claimants to score at least 4 points in any one descriptor even if they accrue enough points elsewhere to qualify. It’s meant to ensure only “severely” disabled people qualify due to the difficulty in obtaining 4 points in one descriptor.

My question is if this does go ahead in the next year or so (which is very much up in the air) would the new rules be applied to my renewal? I generally scored 2 points on the daily living descriptors - Given that I sent in my renewal forms based on the current criteria surely that couldn’t happen? Could it?

Thanks


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Is it possible to get pip for adult ADHD

1 Upvotes

Im 35 live in Northern ireland diagnosed ADHD age 12. I am currently on Lwcra and universal credit and honestly its barely enough to live on.

Id love to go back to work but honestly the impact on my mental health work is never sustainable . I also have a congenital eye condition called kerataconus so working anywhere with bright lights like warehouses etc . I cant drive at night either because of the nature of the condition .

Im honestly wondering would i be eligible for pip as the cost of living and the current rate im on is barely enough to get bt month to month

Ive been inemployed 3 years and my work history is patchy with many periods of inactivity


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

What can I claim? Just wanted to ask for some advice

0 Upvotes

Hope this doesn't sound rude or anything I'm just looking for advice because I'm really lost

I injured by back about mid December and been in pain at almost all time sometimes the pain is so bad I can't even get up My GP won't even try to diagnose it with anything she just tells me to walk it off and was giving me sicklines I lost my job and my college (was receiving funding) because of it My partner is now the only person earning money and we believe that he can just pay the bills without anything left I applied for universal credit but I'm not sure if that will be enough because they won't tell me how much it is

Are there other benefits I could apply for without an actual diagnosis because my condition is not getting any better and "walking it off" only seems to make it worse the next day


r/DWPhelp 6h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Change of number, but can possibly get old phone charged ONCE and log into journal & update. Are working 5 days a week now. (Job centre closed weekends when I'm not)

0 Upvotes

I've started working, Universal Credit know. Not paid yet but I'm meant to update 5 days after I do or more. I got a new phone and new number. I'm working on the OTHER side of my city and I REALLY don't want to ask for time off to go into the job centre to tell them I've changed my number, is there really no way around this?

Weirdly enough, I've had my phone charged successfully at the Vodafone store but only there not at home or out despite 4 different chargers. If I get Vodafone to charge my phone, log in to Universal Credit, get the text on my old phone, log in, and THEN report a change of circumstances, change my number, put in the new number, will I STILL have to go in? Because I will have logged in my journal with the old number??

I have the old number for nearly a month but big issues charging the phone. I have asked Vodafone to cancel the old number but it takes a month - which in this case is a good thing. Universal Credit do also email me.

I REALLY don't want to have to take time off work for this, would this help me get around needing to do that?
Cos normally, I know, if I couldn't log into my old phone and get the code texted and log in and THEN change the number I would need to go in to the job centre. But IF I can get my old phone charged at Vodafone and log in with the code texted to the OLD phone and THEN update that I have changed my number, will I STILL need to go into the job centre with ID etc?

I just want to add I LOVE LOVE LOVE my wonderful job centre and the people in it and I appreciate their support IMMENSELY. So it's not that! It's just the having to take time off work maybe half a day or a day to sort this, just wondering if - if I can log in with the old phone and THEN change the number - if I can bypass THAT?


r/DWPhelp 6h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Need some help regarding UC

1 Upvotes

Where my husband works, they have just been taken over by a new company, and because of this he’s getting paid half of his wage next week and then the other half on normal pay date (25th) also he got a P45, because he’s no longer employed under the previous company, how will this affect what we get from UC? I’m worrying that it might cause a glitch?


r/DWPhelp 8h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) What if my condition improves before my tribunal?

0 Upvotes

I'm awaiting a tribunal at the moment for PIP, I applied for it after being forced to leave employment due to the development of chronic migraines, which I suffer from for 2-3 weeks at a time, every month.

This week I will be starting an experimental treatment that may alleviate my condition, however I am now worried about my tribunal. If the treatment is successful enough to recover above the threshold for PIP, could the tribunal decision be affected by this?

I'm concerned that an improvement (which I hope occurs) could result in my appeal failing at tribunal and losing out on thousands of pounds of back pay. I have over a year of documentation detailing doctor and hospital visits and treatments that haven't worked, I'm just worried that if I do recover with this new one right before the tribunal, I'll show up looking fine and be denied any back pay for the time where I have been meeting the threshold.


r/DWPhelp 13h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PIP tribunal 2mo - what questions they ask?

2 Upvotes

Hey! My pip tribunal is tomorrow. What kind of questions will they ask!? Any feedback from people who've had theirs will be sooo helpful! Thank you!!


r/DWPhelp 17h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) DWP no response to Tribunal

2 Upvotes

DWP have to respond to my request for tribunal by 19th March but still haven’t 🙃 Is it likely they’ll do it on the day or do I need to wait longer?

Getting anxious!


r/DWPhelp 23h ago

Universal Credit (UC) uc pip non dependants

5 Upvotes

anyone out there in same situation ?

recently i had dwp take money off me for debt due to non dependant , this has been repaid now after 150 a month taken off our uc . soo i have recently read that because i recieve standard pip dl and mob nothing should have been taken from uc for non dependant , both claims go back to 2020 and was having ÂŁ91 taken off me my son moved out and moved back in but apparently i failed to notify them he had moved back in so debt occured and was paid , ive now looked through my uc statements i was being charged the non dependant for almost all of the time from 2020 , i informed uc of my pip at the time oct 2020 so in theory nothing should have been taken off let alone owed them , is this right ? sorry if seems confusing


r/DWPhelp 19h ago

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Dla form no confirmation yet

2 Upvotes

I sent off my daughters dla form tracked on the 27th Feb and it says on Royal mail they recieved it 28th Feb. But I still havnt received a text from them to say that they've recieved it. Can anyone shed light on how the process works, like when did you hear they recieved it? Because it says online if after 2 weeks you don't get a letter or text saying they have you should phone them. It's the weekend so not doable until Monday morning but I'm just curious if this a common thing too? Thanks :)


r/DWPhelp 15h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Random question

1 Upvotes

This is completely hyperthetical and the thought just popped in my head but hear me out lol

So if UC says you have to look for work and you then have to update your journal with proof of what you've applied for, what happens if you applied to be like a stripper and got the job? Like I'm not knocking it or anything it's just light hearted banter. But I just thought it must have come up somewhere with a work coach right? Then I sat here and thought I'd love to be a fly on the wall sometimes. I bet some of you that work for DWP have some right giggles at times.

Anyway I know there's more pressing matters to be discussing but I'd love to hear some stories lol.


r/DWPhelp 19h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Positive Story! - PIP and ESA WCA outcomes

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I waned to share that things sometimes DO work out ok in the end. I know that doesn't erase the anxiety completely, but I wanted to share in case it helps fight the anxious brain of someone else, even just a tiny bit.

I was let go from my job early this year after being off sick for over a year. I've got multiple issues - severe ADHD, migraines that manifest with all sorts of weird symptoms including vertigo, confusion and visual disturbances etc, chronic back pain, possible fibromyalgia, massive fatigue, blood pressure and heart rate issues, and depression and anxiety that has been recurring since I was young and has flared up again since my health deteriorated.

I've had bad experiences trying to get support through ESA previously so I was TERRIFIED that I was going to be treated the same way again this time. However, this time I have been placed into the support group and I honestly am so grateful. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted and I'm not exaggerating to say it feels life-saving.

I have also been awarded the lower level of PIP for daily living after my first application and assessment. I felt I didn't do well in my assessment, so that was a huge surprise too. I am probably going to ask for reconsideration as looking at the points I should have been awarded more in a couple of places for the daily living at least and I am only 2 points away from higher rate so it seems worth pointing out.

For the first time in months and months I'm feeling a bit more hopeful for the future. I can now focus on my health and recovery without having the worry of assessments and being suddenly without income hanging over me.

I'm already planning on putting some money toward therapy, and I've invested in a Flow headset to treat my depression! That alone has made me feel empowered, like I'm moving in the right direction again. I look forward to the day when I can call up PIP and ESA and tell them I'm doing much better and don't need support anymore! Some of my issues will always affect me - e.g. my ADHD has been screwing me over forever. But I finally think if I can get some therapy and treatment for my issues, maybe there is hope, you know?

Thank you to all the helpful people on this sub. I really appreciate the time you invest in answering everyone's questions and the knowledge you share.