Universal Credit and starting a job in One Month

tipx

Hi all,

I've been on Universal Credit for a couple of months whilst looking for a job, and I am just about to accept a job offer. The problem is that it will start in early January.

Does any one know how my payment and commitments might change until I start the job? I don't really know if I should expect to take the full jobseekers money when not looking for work, but it doesn't seem particularly plausible for me to look for work for one month either.

Thanks!

pmlindyloo

There is a similar thread here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5364829

Consensus of opinion is not to tell them until you are about to start the job. You can carry on job seeking until then.

Always the possibility that the job might fall through (references etc) - sorry to sound gloomy!

There is still the opportunity to get a temporary job. Have you thought of the post office for example - Christmas delivery? This would give you some extra cash as you may not be paid for a while when you start your job.

Remember that your UC claim stays open for a while - 6 months?

And well done on finding a job!

Mersey_2

UC is paid monthly following each monthly reporting period (this is usually a month from when your claim was set up).


So whether you're unemployed, working part-time, full-time or self-employed the only thing that will affect the amount of the following month's payment will be whatever you earn as an employee or report yourself as a self-employed individual within the previous monthly reporting period.


When you inform the UC national contact centres, just make sure that you do not 'withdraw' your UC claim. You're merely reporting a change - by gaining some work.


Your UC Claimant Commitment should detail the agreed requirements. Yes, you will still need to complete these eg if you still have to complete UJM updates in December is your question - then yes, you will still need to provide this evidence.


Although remember that JobCentre Plus offices essentially close for a fortnight over the Christmas and New Year period in that there are no JSA 'signings' or UC reviews. So it's unlikely - and in most cases impossible - that you'll be called in then anyway if you were due to.

tipx

Thanks for the advice guys!

I'm fairly confident about the job: references are done and I'm heading in to sign this week. If I don't have to call the hotline, I'll just wait and see what my coach says when I meet her later this week. They should have a big list of seasonal jobs, so I'll go for that if she thinks it's appropriate.

UPDATE: The job is definitely happening now and I am starting 9th of Jan. My job coach agreed with the advice to only contact UC when I first go in, but because my next coach appointment is on the first day of my job, I am going to contact them a few days in advance to make sure I do not get in trouble.

My coach was very kind and did not expect me to look for any short term work. I think for a month or less in advance they are happy enough that you are about to stop claiming. The job I'm starting requires a post-graduate degree and, to be completely honest, I think I've possibly been treated more leniently and with a greater degree of trust because of this.