Universal Credit - single working part time

davefrombristol

Hi

Can I apply for Universal Credit if I am single and earning more than £338 per month ? I try the government website where it suggests that in my area you are able to apply if your single. I go through the online questions and then answer yes to expect to receive over £338 a month and it tells me I cannot claim.

I don't understand how the online benefit calculators tell me that I would be better off to the tune of £40-£60 a week with UC when the system denies me claiming it.

Unfortunately I work between 22 & 30 + hours a week and it looks as if it is impossible for me to claim working tax credit.

The whole system is geared to work against part time workers that have no say in what hours they will be able to work as I'm at the mercy of my employer. No holiday pay / sick pay / pension contributions and working on the minimum wage.

Jamiesmum

It's not against part time workers, you could work full time then or find a better paying job etc. There are options out there if you are unhappy with your situation. It's a safety net and not something to rely on if you don't have too. I really dislike those types of comments. People who work the bare minimum to get the maximum benefits back.

Have you tried ringing the benefits line to apply, I wasn't even aware you could do it online, might be worth giving them a ring. £50 or so a week is quite a bit regardless so I'd get on to them tomorrow morning and find out for sure.

Poppie68

davefrombristol wrote: »

Hi

Can I apply for Universal Credit if I am single and earning more than £338 per month ? I try the government website where it suggests that in my area you are able to apply if your single. I go through the online questions and then answer yes to expect to receive over £338 a month and it tells me I cannot claim.

I don't understand how the online benefit calculators tell me that I would be better off to the tune of £40-£60 a week with UC when the system denies me claiming it.

Unfortunately I work between 22 & 30 + hours a week and it looks as if it is impossible for me to claim working tax credit.

The whole system is geared to work against part time workers that have no say in what hours they will be able to work as I'm at the mercy of my employer. No holiday pay / sick pay / pension contributions and working on the minimum wage.

Why don't you get holiday and sick pay? Part time employees are entitled just as much as full-time employees.

Jamiesmum

Poppie68 wrote: »

Why don't you get holiday and sick pay? Part time employees are entitled just as much as full-time employees.

Could be agency work

davefrombristol

Well you can only claim universal credit online, but it seems like the system is set up so that your unable to claim - errors on screen / or unable to claim if your working for more money than benefits £338. I tried ringing the 0345 number to inquire about Universal Credit and the person the other end didn't know whether I was entitled as my wages go up one month and then down the next etc. After half an hour on the phone the line went dead so I was unable to get anywhere.

I work over 30 hours a week some months so would you call me lazy? I'm unable to claim any other benefits to help with housing costs. Universal Credit top up would have given me a few pounds extra as I'm single and live in rented accomodation.

It's not my fault that the government tell me that I'm eligible and then introduce a system that denies you claiming it.

If I could get more hours work then I would but its not easy when all the jobs on offer are minimum wage and even they are snapped up by younger workers ( I'm 55 ! )

davefrombristol

I work for an employer - I don't get holiday pay / sick pay etc. If I don't turn up I don't get paid. There are probably 1000's in the same boat.

davefrombristol

All I am asking is - How do I get what the government say I am rightfully entitled to ? Universal credit is available for single people but not working single people is this right ?

Jamiesmum

davefrombristol wrote: »

Well you can only claim universal credit online, but it seems like the system is set up so that your unable to claim - errors on screen / or unable to claim if your working for more money than benefits £338. I tried ringing the 0345 number to inquire about Universal Credit and the person the other end didn't know whether I was entitled as my wages go up one month and then down the next etc. After half an hour on the phone the line went dead so I was unable to get anywhere.

I work over 30 hours a week some months so would you call me lazy? I'm unable to claim any other benefits to help with housing costs. Universal Credit top up would have given me a few pounds extra as I'm single and live in rented accomodation.

It's not my fault that the government tell me that I'm eligible and then introduce a system that denies you claiming it.

If I could get more hours work then I would but its not easy when all the jobs on offer are minimum wage and even they are snapped up by younger workers ( I'm 55 ! )

I never called you lazy. I just didn't like the comment you made nothing against you trying to claim it, just if you think it's so against you take a different route so you don't have too.

Anyway, working tax credits isn't deemed off a total per week but a total per month so if you average 30 hours a week you can claim. So if you do 36 hours a week one month, then 24 a week the next month you'll average 30 and be eligible to claim it.

It sounds the same for universal credit, add up 12 months of wages then split it by 12 and that is what you need to tell them you earn per month. You will have to ring them if it drastically changes in a month though, but only if you changed jobs to a set pay etc.

Darksparkle

davefrombristol wrote: »

I work for an employer - I don't get holiday pay / sick pay etc. If I don't turn up I don't get paid. There are probably 1000's in the same boat.

Employers get away with it if employees allow them to.

You only need to earn £112 per week to be entitled to SSP. On NMW for your age that's just under 16hrs per week.

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

All employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks paid leave per year.

https://www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights/entitlement

Darksparkle

Jamiesmum wrote: »

Anyway, working tax credits isn't deemed off a total per week but a total per month so if you average 30 hours a week you can claim. So if you do 36 hours a week one month, then 24 a week the next month you'll average 30 and be eligible to claim it.

.

That's not correct. Tax credits always ask for weekly hours, not monthly.

It is based on the hours normally worked in a week.

If there is a recognised patter eg 40 one week, 20 the next week that can average 30 hrs.

However if you don't work the required hours for 4 weeks your entitlement stops.

davefrombristol

I don't think I average 30 hrs a week - probably 27-28 so I won't qualify for WTC - I think you will find that the Universal Credit system is broke for anyone other than those really down on their luck. Only those that are jobless and were on JSA can apply and then look forward to sanctions. Maybe I should be thankful that I'm earning about £20 more than I would on benefits!