r/DWPhelp

Ashamed that I'm having to do this. I'm a poor international student who studied in Manchester sponsored by an organisation in my home country. This is my final year in Manchester, and I will go back home this July upon my graduation. Everything is ok in Manchester until the war happens in Iran rising up the fuel price. I haven't booked the flight yet, but I realised the flight ticket price is rising up insanely to almost a grand. This causes a huge burden for me, and I started eating only a meal a day just to save money to stay alive after booking my flight. I tried to ask help from my sponsor, unfortunately they also have no more funding for my "extra expenses". I'm already on part-time job up to maximum 20 hours a week (the UK Student visa holders maximum working hours) to pay my rent and bills, but I think I need to stop part-time jobs soon in May to focus on my final exams as well.

I have searched local food banks but I don't know if I qualify since I'm an international student. I have never faced this kind of thing before. Does anybody know if any place where I won't need a referral or to be on a certain type of benefit?

I really wish to get help, like getting free food. Not expect to get any high quality food, just something edible stuff to let me survive before I can graduate to go back home.

So, I am short on rent. No money for food. Sat in Morrisons cafe after putting a £6 meal on my credit card (bad choice I know when I'm already in so much debt but wanted to kill myself this morning so small mercies)

I rang up and asked for a Universal Credit advance this morning and was offered £12. Im not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I almost laughed at how absurdly low it was. Means some money to eat at least but I'm thinking about all my debt, my rent, trying to find a job. Ive had to cancel job interviews and drop out of a therapy course because I cant afford a bus ticket.

And all the lurkers here who will mass downvote because they hate poor people or think we're scroungers, you have no idea how it feels to have hunger pains and have to sell your belongings just to scrape together enough for rent and a pack of tortilla chips to eat for dinner.

I have contacted various local authorities. I am autistic, bipolar and depressed so its been incredibly hard. It has given me perspective though and makes me really want to work in the third sector next and use the experiences Ive gone through to help others. No one should have to go through this.

Does anyone have any advice? Currently working with a charity housing officer, looking for house shares to keep rent down and of course looking for a job. Already used 1 of the 3 a year food bank vouchers so trying to use then strategically.

Not sure if I’m missing something here…

I’m a single dad with 3 kids (5, 4 and 2). Up until now I’ve only been getting support for 2 of them.

I was already over the benefit cap, so I wasn’t expecting much extra now the third child’s been added — if anything at all.

But somehow I’m actually getting less money now?

That just seems completely backwards to me.

Side note: I work on the weekends the children are at their mums but my 2 youngest aren’t in nursery full time so I’m unable to work mon-fri.

Any help, suggestions or advice are appreciated.

Just went for my LCWRA assessment and was told it was cancelled. Called them up and now have a telephone appointment in two weeks. Very frustrating as I've been waiting to get this as I've had to reduce my hours at work to 1 day a week because of my health. So looking mostly the LCW allowance so that my pay doesn't get deducted from my UC. If I get LCWRA that's a bonus. This just seems to have been dragging on so long now. I had to ring them to get this appointment as I hadn't heard anything since I sent the form in. They just said they were ready to book an assessment when I called.

Even with the form, I sent one in early February, then got a letter 2 days before the deadline to say they haven't received it, so had to send another in recorded delivery... So they got that one on the 21st of March...

Just annoying me because every month that passes I'm missing out on 200-400 pound and from 2hat I understand, the LCW allowance isn't backdated...

More of a rant than a question, sorry. Any one else had such a bad experience with LCW/LCWRA?

So my Work Coach is condescending, lacks any empathy and is overall unbearable to talk to.

She found this door 2 door(D2D) leaflet posting role for me a couple of months ago and I accepted as I was struggling to add anything new to my CV(I could do this while being on UC) but over time it was not worth my time as it was only 7p per leaflet and I could only post 60 an hour so I wasn't earning nearly enough but I agreed to it for the time but after I've covered my local area I said to her that it was not worth me spending my money on travelling to further area because I wouldn't be making anything and possibly lose money.

So I informed her that I've paused doing it for now and she agreed.

With visiting my Dad in hospital I couldn't keep doing it but I was still applying for the right amount of jobs a week. She couldn't care less about any of it said I'm not trying hard enough.

She now has questioned if I do anything, accused me of turning jobs down and has said if I'm not doing enough then it will have to to the decision makers.

As of yesterday, she has TOLD me that I have to do more shifts with D2D sales or it will go to the decision makers and I could be sanctioned....but I'm still applying for jobs and trying my hardest, she is so rude and so difficult to communicate with, I get anxious when talking to people but she makes it so much harder.

Sorry for the ramble, what should I do?

Thanks

I don't really know if this is the right place to post this/seek advice, but the community here is always welcoming from what I've seen. I'm kind of frustrated and a little bit embarrassed I just started crying on the phone lol... Sorry if it's not right! </3

Backstory is, I have a few conditions, main ones being C-PTSD and Fibromyalgia, not very fun combo! After a few years waiting, council offers me a bungalow and it's really good! Except the bath is bizarrely high and I've never really done well with baths, but it's got an overhead shower. Family encourages me to seek out an OT appointment, so I do. An OT comes out, sees me getting in and out of the shower and puts in a sort of plank chair. That plan falls through, and honestly using it kind of hurt my legs, but I was too scared to say anything at the time.

2nd visit, she puts in one of those swivel chairs. Again it's not really comfortable, and my bath being weirdly high while I'm grossly short is really uncomfortable, so I tell her 'It's not really comfortable, but I'll try anything for a while and update you?' and she agrees. She calls me a while later, today, asking how it is and instantly starts off the call saying she's closing the case, so I end up explaining it's not really good, it hurts to use and it's at the point now where it takes up so much space in the bath tub, I've just started avoiding it all together, it's really uncomfortable to get in and out of and it's especially difficult getting out of it since my bath being high means I have to basically shuffle out and then do a weird little hop. She tells me she's still closing the case because in our appointment at my house, she saw me using it, and tells me to use it since it's there to make my life easier, then follows up with that 'I know you just want a shower, but I have to go off what I saw' which really upset me for some reason. It kind of hurt, since I'm not exaggerating anything, but it felt like that was how it came across?

I know it's frustrating for them probably, they're seeing a 23 year old who apparently can't even use a chair, which I promise is even more frustrating for me, but now I don't know what to do. I was told I'll get a letter saying the case is closed and resolved, and I just... have a massive chair in my bathtub now? The woman was nice, remembered stuff, though at one point she referred to a brown person as 'those people' when recounting a story which made me kind of double-take so 😭 I'm just embarrassed, overwhelmed, and basically bathing out of my sink now which is just as embarrassing to admit as it is probably gross to read. Any advice on where I go from here would be appreciated, I don't want to cause problems but my friends keep reminding me I probably deserve better than living off dry shampoo and baby wipes, and anyone sharing a room with me is probably inclined to agree!

hi guys, 

I had my UC review today and it’s made me realise how much I need to get my head out of the sand. I am the person who is meant to enter my husbands earnings and support him with tax - I have been putting 0 each month because I can not face doing it. 

Today she asked about a payment which was for my husband - to an undeclared bank account, I panicked and lied nd then made my husband lie. 

I am sure it will be ok - but I don’t want to hide this anymore, I’ve been hiding it from my husband, kids and UC. 
I’m catastrophising that I will go to prison and my kids will be humiliated - how would I even tell them knowing I just lied? 
My husband is my carer (so double whammy) and I had one job! I haven’t done it and am now putting the whole burden on my family. 
it’s a years earning of £34,000 with expenses of approx £14,000. 
I feel like I can’t go on - please help!

I broke up with my fiancé about two months ago. We lived together and I was financally dependent on him. He moved out immediately and I applied for benefits straight away.

I ask my letting agency to change me to a sole tenancy to help prove my UC housing costs, and they asked me to serve notice on the joint tenancy so they could switch me to a sole one.

My landlord took advantage of this, declined the sole tenancy and gave me less than 4 weeks to leave the property.

I couldn't find a flat in time because no agency will accept me, and I know it is because I'm unemployed and on benefits. I've been told I don't meet affordability criteria for even £550pcm (the lowest rent in my city). I've had applications denied and even had viewings cancelled on me. One flat I offered the deposit for picked someone else who offered deposit after me, three days later. The agency pathetically lied saying "first come first serve" when I literally was first to offer a deposit.

I have an excellent reference from my previous landlord, I can offer two guarantors and deposit plus two months upfront. But no one wants me.

I am now homeless and desperately trying to find something. I'm meant to return to university studies in this city in September, I need to live here.

I might just have to move back in with my ex partner. We would get a two bedroom property. But I'm terrified Universal Credit will cut me off, thinking we are actually a couple, and I will be trapped again.

I am extremely stressed. Any advice is appreciated.

Our foster child has turned 18 and he should have moved on to independent living.

Due to his physical and mental disabilities he isn’t ready to leave and we are happy for him to stay with us under the Shared Lives scheme.

This process of changing from a foster child to vulnerable adult has been a nightmare logistically. His birthday was at the start of March and he hasn’t received any Universal Credit payments yet and we haven’t been paid either.

The DWP people at the job centre don’t seem to know what Shared Lives is and keep saying he isn’t entitled to UC as he is on a foundation course at college.

We’ve explained that he is unlikely to ever be able to work and have doctors have said the same.

They say that as he is at “home” he isn’t entitled to any payment.

He is supposed to pay towards his board and lodgings according to the Shared Lives Scheme.

We have just been informed he will receive UC but less than his rent is supposed to be and doesn’t give him any funds to live on.

He currently receives PIP.

Please does anyone have any experience of Shared Lives and UC and PIP with a vulnerable adult and what he should be entitled to?

Thanks

So, I received my report. I have not read it in its entirety.

I have frequent anger outbursts and write letters.

Frequently mentioned here question about driving license- my mistake that I admitted to passing driving test 20 years ago.

I was not asked if I drive safely and if I had caused any accidents. There a lot of activities that someone could do it the past.

'driving requires complex cognitive abilities and leg movements'

- like telling someone that lost legs that because they had a driving licence 20 years ago they can drive

question - how does pip mobility car fit into it?

they can drive

I am questioning the relevance of this question.

The issue is - I was pretty when young. Got drivers licence, PIP thinks I can drive but no one else does.

Hi everyone, I just received a copy of my PA4 assessment report and I’m feeling really discouraged. The assessor (a nurse) seems to have completely contradicted herself throughout the document.

The contradictions:

• Washing/Dressing: On page 5 and 6, she wrote down that my mum has to help me wash and help me dress my lower body because of my severe abdominal/kidney pain. However, on the scoring pages (13 and 15), she gave me 0 points, claiming I can do it unaided because I have "no diagnosed upper or lower limb conditions."

• Nutrition/Medication: She noted I have slurred speech and confusion when stressed, but gave me 0 points for Communicating and Managing Meds, saying my concentration issues are "not in scope."

• Mobility: I told her I struggle to walk 20 meters without stopping for pain. She wrote this down, but then gave me 0 points for Moving Around, stating I can walk over 200m because I don't have a "physical limb diagnosis."

The only points awarded:

• She gave me 2 points for "Managing toilet needs/incontinence" because she accepted I use pads for my recurring UTIs and lack of bladder sensation.

The problem:
The nurse seems to be "discounting" all my physical struggles because my diagnosis is internal (kidney/bladder/abdominal pain) rather than a broken bone or a limb deformity. She is recommending a total of only 2 points for Daily Living and 0 for Mobility.

Has anyone dealt with a report where the "Clinical History" notes prove you need help, but the "Descriptor" scores say you don't? How do I best point this out during Mandatory Reconsideration?

I had an appointment with my work coach on 25/3/26 which I ran a little late for. After I checked in at the JC and was waiting, I got a notification I had missed my appointment. I spoke with my wc and was told she correct the missed appointment.

Then on the 20/4/26 I got a sanction applied to my account because they wanted me to rebook the appointment.

I made a note in my journal and called in that day explaining the missed appointment was an error. Coincidentally the next UC appointment was the following day, spoke to the WC about the journal message and it's still not been amended. What can I do now?

Hi,

Received my pip review form in the post, filled it out and sent it back. Got a text message on the 8th May saying they had received my form.

I have logged into 'Manage your benefits and State Pension' service to check proof of benefits and nothing is currently there, where as before, my PIP claim was.

Today's date is 13th May so only 4 working days since I received the text message. Surely it can't have been decided that quick and I also haven't received a text message saying they have made a decision.

When PIP is being reviewed is your current proof of benefits removed from that website?

Thanks for your time

EDIT: It's back, looks like they were updating the website.

Hi, this post is on behalf of my partner, but also from me as her carer. I'm currently beyond angry, so I apologise for my tone.

We've applied for PIP around 5 times and have been rejected every time despite asking for an appeal. My partner's conditions get worse with each application, she is diagnosed with new conditions on top of the ones she had before, yet each rejection we are given a lower score!?!?!? The rejection just now has been the most promising, the lady helping us with the application was really nice and we honestly thought we'd finally get PIP.

We are really at wits end, we are both now severely depressed and nobody is helping. Even her doctors have concluded that it's insane she keeps being rejected with her needs. It's just so draining filling out the endless forms over and over. Is there a court or anything we can PIP to?

My partner is consistently rejected for: ADHD, fibromyalgia, depression & anxiety, a foot deformity, PTSD and dyslexia.

The excuse consistently seems to be that because she works full time she's fully capable and not needing PIP. But they don't see the fact she sleeps for 15 hours a day. They don't see she can't walk to the kitchen because she's in agony. They don't see all of her past su*cide attempts because of the pain.

Please can someone point us in the right direction.

Hey there! Full time lurker first time poster!
On Monday I had my Pip phone call assessment and I feel awful!
For context I had a stutter in childhood until about 10 years ago when I grew out of it. I have anxiety so try to avoid social situations, however I’m usually okay other than that.
However the stress of this call clearly triggered something and I could not stop stuttering, I could barely get out a sentence.
I felt like I couldn’t breathe at one point and had to take a break to calm down.

This is not usual for me and now I feel like I’ve unintentionally lied to the assessor from my actions.

I have been receiving PIP since I was 17, and UC since I was 19 (im 21 now). I get 1400 a month because I have a (hidden) disability - high functioning autism - and while I am studying I was told to forget about employment and rely on the benefits instead. Recently, the guilt has been eating me alive. I have excess income every month but barely any savings. I pay rent and for my own food and clothes of course but I still live at home so I don't have the usual household costs. Does anyone else feel like this? I just feel like I get paid for existing sometimes, and when people ask ''what do you do?'' I just say I am studying but I know they mean what do I do for money, and saying oh I'm claiming benefits makes me uncomfortable because people often can't even tell I am autistic. I just want to know if anyone else feels this way, and how do you deal with it?