Georgia’s Story

Client profile:   

Georgia* is a single mother of 3 older children, all of which are students. She had also taken on the responsibility of 2 younger children of dependant age to whom she was related to.  

Georgia is a Council tenant, in a 3-bedroom house.  

Reason client needs advice:   

At the initial point of contact, Georgia was on a considerably low income and had accrued debts of over £18,000. She was receiving £276.56 per month from Universal Credit, this was for her to live on and pay for her bills. The family of 6 were left with a choice of paying for food or paying their household bills due to the insufficient income.  

Universal Credit had refused to pay Georgia the child element in her Universal Credit award and had requested that Georgia provides proof that she had parental responsibility over the two younger children who she had taken in under her care. 

What we have done to help the client:   

‘The 2-child limit’ applied in Georgia’s case therefore, her expectations were managed from the outset. As a starting point, we assisted Georgia with challenging the Universal Credit decision not to pay her the child element for one of her children who was a student, and the youngest child she had taken parental responsibility of.  

Universal Credit agreed to pay the child element for the client’s child, however, they refused to pay the child element for the younger child in her care.  

We persisted in our efforts and submitted a request for a Mandatory Reconsideration directing the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) to the applicable legislation and the requirements for the child element to be paid. Again, the DWP refused to pay the child element which resulted in an appeal being lodged. Following the appeal, the Tribunal asked the DWP to look at the matter again and make a decision. Shortly afterwards, the child element was added accordingly.  

In addition to the above, we also assisted Georgia with applying for student discount on her council tax, child benefits, low-income tariff for her water, and council tax support.  

Outcome: 

With our intervention, we managed to increase Georgia’s monthly income by:

•  £184 per month from child benefits; 

• £621.25 per month for the child element on her Universal Credit

• £475.50 per annum by adding student discount on her Council Tax; 

• £120 per month Council Tax Support.  

Overall, Georgia would see a financial gain of £11,578.50 per annum which puts her in a better position to help her deal with her debts whilst living a sustainable lifestyle.  

NOTE: *Names and certain details have been changed to protect the client's identity.