Share your experience of Universal Credit

2 mins read

Wednesday 18 September 2024

Tags: managed migration, counting the costs, universal credit

Universal Credit is something that our helpline team receives lots of calls about. Many of you tell us that you find it complicated to work out what you or your child are entitled to, particularly when circumstances change.

Over the next few years, more families will receive an invite to claim Universal Credit as part of the managed migration process.

We want to get a clearer picture of how Universal Credit is impacting families with disabled children. We want to understand what the issues are. And we’re looking to establish what practical steps the government can take to help ease the burden on already stretched, vulnerable households.

That’s why Universal Credit is one of the topics we ask about in our Counting the Costs survey.

What is Counting the Costs?

Our Counting the Costs survey is a chance for families across the UK to have your voice heard about the financial impact of having disabled children. We will use your responses as evidence in our conversations with government and potential funders.

In our last survey, 40% of Universal Credit claimants said they are worse off since claiming. This is despite assurances from the government that no one would be worse off.

Please share your experience and take part now.

In case you missed it: our template letters for backdating Universal Credit payments

Sometimes there can be a delay in the Universal Credit service finding out that you are eligible for a disabled child addition or carer element. This means there’ll be a period in which you get Universal Credit, but your award is missing the additional elements. The law says that the extra payments can in most cases be backdated, i.e. paid from an earlier date.

But sometimes the Universal Credit service refuses to backdate to the correct date. This is an issue we know affects many families.

We’ve published some new template letters to help – find out more.

Need general advice on Universal Credit?

Visit our Universal Credit webpage for information on Universal eligibility, how much you’ll get, how to claim, and much more.