Universal Credit - single working part time

davefrombristol

Darksparkle wrote: »

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.

Where does one find this information ? Can you possibly provide a link ? So as long as there is not a break of more than 4 weeks where i don't work 30 hrs I can apply for working tax credits ?

Mersey_2

For WTCs there's a basic award and then a 30 hour element on top if you qualify for that too.


From what you've said you don't satisfy the gateway conditions for UC.


But there are UC claimants earning over that amount, as they would have been unemployed when claiming UC online and then gone self-employed and reported earnings or became an employee (then their employee reports their earnings to HMRC).

Darksparkle

davefrombristol wrote: »

Where does one find this information ? Can you possibly provide a link ? So as long as there is not a break of more than 4 weeks where i don't work 30 hrs I can apply for working tax credits ?

There are literally hundreds of pages online about tax credits if you do a search.

Your normal hours must be 30hrs + if single, between 25 and 60, no children or disabilities. The work must be expected to last for at least 4 weeks after making the claim.

sammyjammy

davefrombristol wrote: »

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!

New claims to Universal Credit are not applicable to people in your circumstances yet, you would still have to make a claim to Working tax credits, but as you have already been told you would need to work 30 hours a week to claim this.

pmlindyloo

You are not being discriminated against. Thousands of people are not able to claim Universal Credit at the moment because it is being introduced gradually to smooth over the change over.

Have a read of this

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/universal-credit-eligibility/

As regards your particular circumstances you need to think outside the box.

Many employers would welcome a more mature man into their company as they often have skills that younger people do not have. B&Q, some supermarkets are all willing to take on older people particularly if they are willing to work less sociable hours.

22-28hrs a week is not full time (in my book) so you have a few hrs a week to add to your current hrs to guarantee your eligibility for working tax credits.

red_devil

you don't want to be on uc its a nightmare a right !!!! up.

naturaljazz

Hi davefrombristol - I claimed UC as I was unemployed, I got it when working 15 hours (only did that for 4 weeks) and then I got a 34 hour a week job... it all went downhill from then on. But from your point of view I think you would not be able to claim UC as it is for the old JSA claimants, who like me now have to have UC in our area of the UK. Also I found this on Entitledto-
"The work allowance will be abolished altogether from April 2016 for non-disabled, childless claimants meaning your benefit is reduced as soon as you start earning."
So I imagine you would not get it anyway (mine has stopped). The work allowance is £111.
I personally do not find it helpful to say that you should not expect to claim, there are millions who are low paid with few hours/zero hours and being left to flounder. Sorry if some are upset by that, but look around without the rose coloured glasses on and you will see. But I think the person who suggested Argos, B&Q etc was on the right track. All the large supermarkets want older people and you arent working for someone who is operating within the law at the moment, you are as others said entitled to holiday pay and sick pay. So I suggest you use your time to scrub up a decent CV and send it to any jobs you do see come up. If it is a temporary job and you get laid off then you can claim at the Jobcentre and start afresh with help with rent etc. Good luck

red_devil

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 ! )[/QUOTE]


the government know this but are determined to hassle and stress people out now who want to claim anything at all.

They wont be happy until everyone is in full time work but as you say and we all know not possible for everyone to do that. It gets harder as you say as you get older too.

Universal credit is a shambles no wonder IDS resigned.

while your on UC they wont leave you alone at all even if your working part time. Its disgusting.

auldblerk

red_devil wrote: »

you don't want to be on uc its a nightmare a right !!!! up.

Totally agree and I'm the same age as you, gradually rolling out to the rest of the country, my sympathy lies with the good jc advisors out there (and there are some) when it comes to their jcentre.
Sick and tired of people judging the system and the people that are on it when they are not on it themselves (yet.)

cupid07

Your best off trying to claim working tax credits. the threshold is working 16 hours or more per week, which you seem to be doing