How to attend a Courtesy Call From Universal Credit?

This blog answers the question “Courtesy Call from Universal Credit?” The process of attending a courtesy call from Universal Credit is explained in this blog. A courtesy call interview gives you the best chance to share any details about yourself such as your disability.

How to attend a Courtesy Call From Universal Credit?

A courtesy call from Universal Credit is basically an interview to obtain the necessary details about your income, savings and expenses. Before you are approved for Universal Credit and get your benefits letter from your council the authorities need to ensure that your finances are in order. If you want to explain any special circumstances you can make your case in person through this courtesy call

How can I book my Universal Credit interview?

You have an item which says “Prepare for my Universal Credit interview” in the activity choices of your account.

You can choose the documents that you will actually bring with you on the Interview Day.

In the account you can also see the hotline number you need to use to book your interview or you can call the Universal Credit helpline instead.

 You need to mention your BSN number when you call. You can find your Citizen Service Number (BSN) on:

  • A deposit policy statement
  • A letter from HMRC
  • A letter from the Labor and Pensions Service (DWP)

What documents do I need to take with me to my Universal Credit interview?

You must bring at least one photo ID with you to the Jobcentre Interview with Universal Credit. Photo IDs include:

  • A valid passport 
  • A UK driver’s license
  • A national identity card only for EU nationals

In case you are renting privately, you will need to share the amount of monthly rent you are paying and the address of your landlord. You can use a landlord reference letter or a tenancy agreement with you as proof of this.

You have entered your accommodation expenses in your online application the Department for Work and Pensions will contact your landlord to check if these details are correct. 

If you have an owner occupied property, you need to present Universal Credit with proof of your mortgage agreement. This can be a mortgage agreement or bank statements showing the repayment of a mortgage.

You should bring your bank statement with you to the courtesy call. You must provide the details of your bank, mortgage bank or credit union bank account such as the account number. It can be your credit card or a bank statement. If you don’t have bank statements, you can request them from your bank .

 If you are using internet banking, you can print a statement from your online account.

Do I need proof of my income and savings?

Yes, you need to have proof of your income and savings.

You need details on how much you earn from your job. You can bring your recent paychecks or bills if you are self-employed. When you’ve quit work, grab your P45. You must also bring proof of:

  • any income owed to you, such as overtime wages
  • all the details of the job you are about to start
  • any income that does not come from work, such as from a pension or insurance plan
  • any other benefits you receive, such as benefit letters or a bank statement
  • any savings – and a statement to show the details
  • any other “capital” you own, such as stock or property

Which questions do I need to answer on my Universal Credit application?

You will need to answer questions about the following topics on your Universal Credit application

  • Nationality
  • life situation and who you live with
  • work condition
  • income and any savings
  • education and training
  • Health
  • children and all those you care about
  • Bank account

For which other benefits could I get a courtesy call from DWP?

You could be invited for a courtesy call for the following benefits payments.

A Performance Measurement review officer may phone you if you’re claiming:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • State Pension
  • Universal Credit

The officer will ask you some security questions to confirm your identity.They will also ask you to send documents about money, savings and rent, for example:

  • pay slips
  • bank, mortgage or postal accounts
  • rental book or rental agreement
  • benefits and tax credits

How do I fill in my U-50 form for proving disability for Universal Credit?

You will receive a UC50 form after informing the Department For Work and Pensions of your disability or medical condition. 

This form needs to be filled in and sent back to the DWP within 4 weeks

What is the Universal Credit budgeting advance (loan)?

The Universal Credit budgeting advance is a loan granted after verifying evidence of the purpose of getting the loan (which is going to reduce your universal credit payments)

You may be able to take out a loan as part of your universal credit if you have to cover a specific expense – this is called a “budget advance”.

If you get an advance on your budget, you get a reduction in universal credit payments until you pay the loan amount. This will normally be longer than 12 months.

You can request a budget advance for things like:

  • a single purchase shopping item
  • Expenses related to your job
  • Rainy day expenses, for medical expenses or house repairs
  • Routine repairs to your home
  • Holiday travel expenses
  • Health related emergency loans for events like pregnancy
  • Funeral arrangement charges
  • moving costs or rental deposit payments
  • essential household items

Universal Credit helps you with payments of living costs

What are the eligibility requirements for claiming Universal Credit payments?

Universal Credit payments can be claimed by you if you are

  • out of work
  • Are working (including self-employed or part time)
  • Are unable to work

To claim you must:

  • live in the UK
  • be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
  • be under State Pension age which is 65 years
  • have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you can apply for Universal Credit if:

  • You have a medical condition or disability and you have medical proof of this, such as B. a certificate of fitness
  • You are caring for a severely disabled person
  • You are responsible for a child
  • You live with your partner, you are responsible for a child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit
  • You are pregnant and expecting your baby in the next 11 weeks
  • You had a baby in the last 15 weeks
  • They do not have parental support, for example they do not live with their parents and are not supported by the municipality

Conclusion

This blog post addressed the question “Courtesy Call From Universal Credit?” A courtesy call interview from Universal Credit must be attended and the opportunity should be used to share financial details about yourself. You must not forget to bring information regarding your income and expenses such as payslips and bank statements

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) : How to attend a Courtesy Call From Universal Credit?

What happens after my Universal Credit Interview?

You will normally receive your first payment 5 weeks after submitting your application online.

If you haven’t sent in all your evidence or accepted your obligation to complain, do so as soon as possible if you don’t, you may need to complain again.

If you think you won’t have enough money to live on while you wait for your first payment, you can apply for a prepayment through Universal Credit. Prepayment is a loan. You have to pay it back, but you don’t have to pay interest.

Generally, you receive only one Universal Credit payment each month. This will be deposited directly into your bank, mortgage or credit union account. 

If you’re struggling with money, find out what help you can get with debt or rent arrears when applying for universal credit.

If you’re having trouble paying for food, find out how to get help from a food bank. Tell the DWP if anything changes between the interview and the first payment, for example if you find a new job or move. 

If you have a predetermined status or a fixed status. The DWP may request proof of your pre-agreed status or your completed status by adding a message to your log. If the DWP asks for proof, they’ll tell you how to present it to them. You may be required to upload it to your log.

You must provide the DWP proof within one month. Your payments may be stopped if you exceed the one-month deadline. You can provide DWP with a sharing code so they can check your online status. You can get a share code on GOV.UK.

If I have children, what other documents do I have to take with me to the Universal Credit interview?

If you have children, you will need to take the following documents along with you to the Universal Credit interview:

  • birth certificates for your children 
  • proof of any childcare costs, such as an invoice or receipt 
  • the reference number of the dependent child allowance

You will find your reference number on all the letters you have about Child Benefit. T

he reference number starts with ‘CHB’ and has 8 numbers and 2 letters

Can Universal Credit help me cover my mortgage payments?

Yes, Universal Credit can help you to cover your mortgage payments. It can also help with loans (up to £ 200,000) if you have a  Universal Credit contract which uses your property as collateral.

To get this help, you need to provide evidence of your mortgage agreement. This could be in the form of:

  • a copy of the mortgage agreement from your lender
  • an updated overview of mortgage payments
  • a loan repayment agreement
  • bank statements showing the payment of the mortgage amounts

Citations

Universal Credit Regulations 2013