A guide to help make your experience with Universal Credit a little different.

A good friend of mine recently shared something she had become more aware of, (especially since covid-19):

“That it is hardly easy for anyone to live their life, even those who seem strong to us often feel the same as we do.”

Her words reminded me of a well-respected Japanese volunteer and he shares with us that it’s the, “being there for others is what gives our life meaning.”

We are both part-time carers. My good friend cares for her blind partner and I care for my differently-abled grandparents.

Our conversation got us thinking about the people who have the toughest time in this life.

This space deep down inside of us opens up and overwhelms us with inspiration as we remember that we all have difficulties.

Fred Rodgers, remember him? The children’s television host? Well, he once spoke about shared difficulties:

“Those who share their difficulties have a way of letting us be more in touch with our own and then we share them. And so consequently we become a community.”

• APA stands for, ‘Alternative Payment Arrangement’ and is time-limited.

• It is generally better suited for those of us who need limited time to improve our financial situation
• it can do things like setting up automatic rent payments to our landlord
• and help us to get more frequent Universal Credit payments throughout the month.
• Use this form to sign up. (Remember, our local public library has free internet and helpful staff.)

• UC Choices is the Scottish UC Flexibility Scheme.

• It is NOT time-limited and therefor it’s better suited for those of us who need MORE time to improve our financial situation
• it can do things like setting up automatic rent payments to our landlord
• and help us to get FORTNIGHTLY Universal Credit payments throughout the month.
• Registration is done through our own online Universal Credit Journal with a couple of clicks.
• We need to have already received our first payment for Universal Credit to be eligable for UC Choices.
• We will then receive an email or text message prompting us to visit our journal to register for UC Choices.
• Use this leaflet to discover more. (Remember, our local public library has free internet and helpful staff.)

Can I Take Up The New Universal Credit Choices If I Am Already On An APA?

Start With Google.

• Navigate to Google and search: Perth & Kinross Council. 

Step One: Locate The Search Bar At The Top Of The Page.

After clicking on the Google search option, we’ll be taken to the Perth & Kinross Council website.

Here we’ll be able to click on the search bar at the top of the page and search for ‘Alternative Payment Arrangement’.

Step Two – Select ‘Managing Universal Credit Payments.’

On this page, select ‘Managing Universal Credit Payments.’

Step Three – Check You Are Eligible For An A.P.A.

On this page, scroll down until you see ‘Alternative Payment Arrangement’.

Here you’ll be able to check your eligibility and even sign up for an A.P.A.

You’ll need to answer a few questions so be sure you have a few of your handy documents as mentioned above.

Step Four – Scottish Universal Credit Choices.

In this step, we can choose to opt for the Scottish Universal Credit Choices if we prefer.

To do this, we need to already have had our first payment of Universal Credit.

This handy leaflet by the people behind the Scottish Universal Credit Choices scheme is full of great answers to all of the questions we may have.

Step Five – Set Up Fortnightly Payments With U.C. Choices.

When we receive our first payment of Universal Credit, we will receive a text message or email.

This message will advise us we have an action to complete in our online Universal Credit journal.

Step Six – Complete This Action In Our Online Journal.

Locate your journal, click on the pending action, and respond to DWP if you wish to move to FORTNIGHTLY payments.

We will also have the option to have our RENT paid directly to our landlord.

Well Done!

Hopefully, you’ll feel much better now that this is completed and I bet a cuppa tea or something good like that is on your mind?

We really hope you’ve gained some value from this tutorial and enjoyed discovering more about Scottish Universal Credit Choices, APA’s, and how to get paid fortnightly.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out on social media or email and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

Until next time, remember, sharing is caring.

People Are Sharing Opportunities, Support, And Resources In Our Latest Community Guide.

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