Universal credit & working question

Mxpro

Hello,
i am currently on universal credit, i have managed to get a job with a agency, shifts are irregular , basically take me on when they need people, you know how agencies go ..

i am wondering, is it worthwhile me working these odd shifts? i heard the money you earn just gets deducted from your universal credit

so if i work 1 or 2 shifts im basically working for nothing right?

the shifts are min wage and 8 hours

if anyone with more knowledge on the subject could explain it in more detail for me i would appreciate it..

cheers

London50

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-an-introduction#universal-credit-key-facts

or
http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/what-is-universal-credit-5170581

pmlindyloo

As you can see if you read the link you would be better off if you work (may not be much if you are single)

The way you should be looking at it is to think whether doing this kind of work may lead to a more permanent position. Also it helps to have this work on your CV as it shows a willingness to be keen and eager to find work.

Yes, it may not be your dream job but being on benefits long term can be soul destroying. In general terms, the longer you are on a job seeking benefit, the more unlikely the prospect of being offered a job becomes.

Keep looking whilst you take on these shifts. Surely going to work is more important and hopefully more rewarding than not bothering because you can get almost as much from benefits.

Not having a 'dig', just know that it is very easy to slip into the 'unemployed mode' because it's just not worth the effort for the financial reward.

Try to think long term, not short term.

Good luck

Sharon87

You get to keep a portion of your Universal Credit (can't remember how much - will be in those links), so you'll be earning more than the usual Universal Credit.

Also as others have said, it will help working these shifts, as it can get added to your CV and get recent references which will help you get something more permanent.

theronstar

I cannot figure out your personal situation e.g. children? disability? housing costs? so I will only be able offering a general answer

When you signed up for Universal Credit, your work coach would have signed a claimant commitment with you?

The agreement would typically state that you are going to spend 35 hours a week searching for a job. Sometimes, a work coach will negotiate e.g. you are already working part time, childcare commitments.

Your work coach will like to see evidence of your job search - typically through Universal Jobmatch - and if they are unhappy with your evidence, they can sanction (take away) your payments.

I do not know where you are but if you are on the newer system, the DWP can actually monitor your job search more closely!

It is better that you posed this question to us and not to your work coach!

They do not take kindly to people turning up their noses to a job. Arguably, if this job is 100 miles from your home address and you do not have a car, then you have a case when you say that, "it's not worth it."

Universal Credit is better than Jobseekers Allowance/Housing Benefit in that you can work and claim benefits at the same time. There is no need to tell the authorities how much you are earning, as they now find this out for themselves.

I am going to assume that you are a single male and ask Universal Credit for help with your housing costs. In this case, you have a personal allowance of £192 a month.

On £7.50 per hour, you can work 25 hours a month without any deductions to your Universal Credit. If you earn more than £192 - your personal allowance - for each extra pound you earn, you will start to lose £0.63 of Universal Credit.

In the long run, as alluded to by earlier responses, you want to think onwards and upwards and not remain on unemployment benefits.

In any case, the Conservatives take a dim view of long term benefit claimants. If they come back on 9th June, I am sure that they will only clamp down even more!

I hope I have helped and if there is anything that you want clarified, then please let me know.

annandale

You don't have an allowance of 192 as a single male. Single people without kids get keeping nothing before deductions are made from benefit.

Every pound you earn 63p will be deducted from your universal credit