universal credit

mouse2190

So due to a mix up around me handing my notice in at my last job and the training dates so I can start my new job, I now have around a month of being unemployed. I've applied for universal credit to get me through the month.
They are aware I have a job and a start date at the beginning of May but they still want me to jump through hoops and apply for jobs and provide evidence of this and go to interviews and complete an e-learning module online etc etc.
It seems completely ridiculous. I HAVE a job. this is the first time i have ever claimed any form of benefits.
The e-learning is all about finding the job you want (which i have) and yet the advisers in the job centre just want you in any job as soon as possible..
At what point will they say "you're starting your new job in 2weeks/a week/tomorrow so we don't need you to waste peoples time pretending to look for work anymore?"

MasterMind

Its takes 5-weeks to even process a claim for UC...

red_devil

yes its paid in arrears and also you don't get any money for about 5-6 weeks after you first apply. Its crap.

auldblerk

At what point will they say "you're starting your new job in 2weeks/a week/tomorrow so we don't need you to waste peoples time pretending to look for work anymore?" ..


They won't say this, if you have signed the claimant commitment, they expect you to fullfil this right up to the day you start working.
I was on a 5 day work placement programme thru the JC and on the first day, got home, received a phone call saying I had a job and start in a weeks time so pulled myself off the programme to give others on it a chance of a job at the end of it and got persecuted for doing so by way of a sanction.

sammyjammy

If you want the money you have to follow the rules, if its too much effort then close your claim.

Mersey_2

Well signing is only fortnightly, so you should only need to attend a JCP once or twice. Its probably just that you'd been caught in whatever process advisors have been told apply to new claimants.

red_devil

Mersey wrote: »

Well signing is only fortnightly, so you should only need to attend a JCP once or twice. Its probably just that you'd been caught in whatever process advisors have been told apply to new claimants.

signing is not fortnighyly for some people its weekly.

Mersey_2

Yes and that's assessed at the review stage (usually 13 weeks) for JSA & UC claimants.


That won't, of course, apply to the OP.

Bella57

"red devil", UC claimants don't 'sign on'. "sammyjam" is correct. The conditions for claiming, as with JSA,are that you are 'actively seeking' work, so that could include any temporary work to cover the gap between jobs. UC/JSA is not intended to be a 'stop-gap' income but is paid for job seeking. If you hand in notice to one job to start another, you still have to work your notice if you want to be paid, so what's the difference?

lovinituk

Do you get UC if you've handed your notice in?

Bella57

It depends on the reason. I employment is ended voluntarily, unless 'good cause' exists, then UC payments may be cut.