The advice team at St Pauls Advice Centre respond to recent queries: 1. Q. I’ve been getting Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) for some years, and a friend told me she’d heard that people in my position might be financially better off getting Universal Credit (UC). Should I make a claim? A. Before going ahead & claiming UC, please seek independent advice from an organisation like St Pauls Advice Centre. Although some people may be better off on UC, it’s not the case for everyone and it is important to check. Be aware: If you claim UC, you can’t change your mind afterwards & go back on to ESA. In addition, if you are not already getting Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you may want to claim it if you have illness or disability. You can do this by calling 0800 917 2222 or ask an independent advice agency for advice about your eligibility. 1. Q. I had a letter a couple of weeks ago telling me that a medical assessor would be calling me to do a medical assessment in respect of my UC claim. The was supposed to happen 3 days ago, but I didn’t get a phone call. Should I do anything?
A. It may be that the assessor tried to phone you & couldn’t get through for some reason. Unfortunately, if
you do nothing it may be that your UC is stopped due to your ‘failure to attend’ the assessment. The letter you received should have contact details for the medical assessment agency, so contact them urgently & ask them to rearrange it. It’s best to contact them both by phone and in writing. You should also write in your UC journal that you missed a medical assessment through no fault of your own and request that the UC office does not stop your UC payments, but ensures that the medical assessment agency rearranges your assessment. This seems very laborious, but it really is best to contact both the UC office and the medical assessment agency because they are separate organisations. 1. Q. I recently stopped work and need to claim Universal Credit (UC). I’m not good with computers and someone I met in the pub has offered to help me to make the claim and help me get a government grant. If I give him all my details he says he will sort it all out. What should I do? A. We strongly advise against giving anyone, even someone well known to you, your personal details. This man might be a genuine person wanting to help, but if he is not, you could find yourself the victim of a scam. There is not a government grant available to UC claimants. When you make a claim for UC, you can request an advance but this is a just a loan which must be repaid. If you need help claiming UC, we might be able to help. Alternatively, call the Freephone UC helpline on 0800 328 5644 and the DWP adviser should complete the online form on your behalf whilst you are on the phone. Make sure you make it clear to the DWP adviser that you are unable to complete the online form without this help.
Q. What is the deadline to apply for Settled Status and what will happen if I don’t make an application? A. The deadline to apply to the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is 30 June 2021. If you don’t make an application before the deadline you won’t have the immigration status allowing you to continue to live, work and study in the UK. This status means you will continue to be eligible for:
16
•
Public services, such as NHS healthcare and schools
•
Benefit entitlements and pensions (if you meet the requirements)
•
British citizenship, if you want to apply and you if you meet the requirements
Others in your household (your partner/children) may also need to apply for EU settlement.
