Worried sick over Universal Credit, can anyone advise?

Pedent

Sixer wrote: »

You'll get transitional protection under UC until you have a change of circumstances, so you should be entitled to what you get now.

Not in this case, because the issue is the effect of the introduction of the Minimum Income Floor, and the claimant is self-employed. The briefing note at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/ucpbn-transitional-protection.pdf says this:

Transitional Protection will also not be offered to self-employed claimants against the effects of the Minimum Income Floor.

[Deleted User]

But could it be simply... that the OP won't be effected because it will not be introduced at the start of the year, so she may gain another year (being next) out of the "system" yet...?

shop-to-drop

Could you cut your costs to increase your profit? For example you are renting a room and only working 18 hours. Could you join up with someone else in the same field as you and share the room and maybe even equipment by working alternate days/hours?

princessdon

Slightly confused so bear with me

You mention rent but are not claming HB - is this commercial rent?

Are you pregnant as you mention Maternity Allowance?

Re the NEG - You don't have to use your 15 hours on "work days". You can use your allowance on none work days if you wished. That is a personal choice, even working parents are allowed time to shop and do housework or grab a latte without their LO.

You have between now and April to increase your income, but if not then you may have to look at paid employment (and doing your business as an extra), you can be both Employed and Self Employed for Tax Credits. So if your income averaged at 10 hours a week, you would only need to get a job for 6 hours a week to qualify.

shop-to-drop

I read it that she was renting a room above a shop for business purposes. Seems a big expense for just 18 hours work a week that's why I asked if sharing might be an option.

BBBNH

Again, thanks for all replies.

I rent the upstairs of a shop, this is shared with someone else in my line of work. I can't work more than 18hrs & neither can the other person.

No, i'm not pregnant. Just curious about how if effects all other benefits. I'd like to think i'll meet a good man & have another child one day, so was wondering would i still be entitled to maternity allowance under UC if it ever happened.

So, am i right in thinking i'll be entitled to UC as a lone parent providing i'm working minimum of 16 hrs a week at minimum wage? I don't fully understand how many hrs i'll need to be working. Surely you could pretend to be earning minimum wage if in fact you were earning much less?

Caz3121

BBBNH wrote: »

Surely you could pretend to be earning minimum wage if in fact you were earning much less?

minimum wage £6.19 would be £111.42 for 18 hours

Currently the benefits you received may be based on you having a lower income than that so you get more benefits.
If/when they base it on minimum wage you will receive less benefits

paddedjohn

OP, you mention packing in your business and getting a job in a supermarket or restaurant etc etc, is it not possible to do both, maybe self employed in the day and part time job in the evenings with your mum looking after your kid for you.

BBBNH

paddedjohn if only... it would make my life alot easier, but my mum works shifts, full time and it differs every week. it wouldn't be fair or even possible for her to do that.

i'm guessing i'll just have to say i'm earning mimimum wage and have my benefits cut, as it doesn't look possible to get another job whilst she's at nursery. unless i can figure out something i can do from home on a self employed basis.

is it illegal to say i'm earning minimum wage if i'm not? if it is then obviously i can't do that, but i thought lying about earning more than you really do would be fair enough, just not the other way around.

BBBNH

Caz3121 wrote: »

minimum wage £6.19 would be £111.42 for 18 hours

Currently the benefits you received may be based on you having a lower income than that so you get more benefits.
If/when they base it on minimum wage you will receive less benefits

well i've definitely overestimated what i'm earning anyway, i think i estimated £4000 in the first year to tax credits, unfortunately it'll be nothing close to that if things continue as they are.