universal credit working hours

iammumtoone

When a child reaches 13 then I understand the parent has to look for work at the equivalent of 35 hours x MW.

Is there an option to stay working under this level but have any award assessed on the fact you are earning this amount?

I do not work 35 hours but my wage is very close to 35 x MW. I would be more than happy to be assessed as if I was earning that much.

My employer is very sympathetic with my needs for my son (time off for appointments / I can be late etc) I always make up time but that's not the point I know how lucky I am as making up the time is a perk not a given, which I doubt I would get in a MW wage job.

It also says in exceptional caring circumstances you may not be required to earn 35 x MW, does anyone know what would pass as exceptional caring?

Many thanks

Alice_Holt

I believe UC is indeed assessed on earnings, not the actual hours worked.

Sambella

If you work 20 hrs but earn the equivalent of 35 hrs on the minimum wage you would be ok.

So it may be the case that you just need to increase your hours slightly to meet that limit.

iammumtoone

Alice_Holt wrote: »

I believe UC is indeed assessed on earnings, not the actual hours worked.

Yes that is how I understand it but what if you only just fall short of the amount for 35 x MW can you just choose to be assessed on 35 X MW? You would get less money but if the person is happy with that, will they still be required to find work that pays 35 X MW.

I believe under the new rules if you are self employed and don't earn 35 X MW you will assessed as it you do, therefore it doesn't seem unreasonable if you are in employment you are offered the same option to earn less but still be assessed as if earning 35 X MW (taking away the need to find alternative/extra employment)

Sambella wrote: »

If you work 20 hrs but earn the equivalent of 35 hrs on the minimum wage you would be ok.

So it may be the case that you just need to increase your hours slightly to meet that limit.

Thats the issue I couldn't do another job to make up the extra hours in addition to mine as by doing so would meaning losing my job My contract states I must be available to work Mon - Fri 8-5. I can't force my employer to give me extra hours my contract is for a set amount of hours only, plus additional as required by them, not dictated to by me!

Of course I can ask the question of my current employer and I will do so at the time. I am a worrier and extremely stressed at the moment, so just really wanted to know what would happen 'worse case scenario'

Sambella

I found some reasons to be excused from conditionally:-


No work-related requirements

The following groups will not be subject to conditionality, although they will still normally have to accept a claimant commitment which will set out their responsibilities – eg, to report changes in circumstances:

claimants with limited capability for work and work-related activity, as assessed through the work capability assessment (WCA) – ie, those currently in the ‘support group’;
claimants with ‘regular and substantial caring responsibilities’ for a ‘severely disabled person’ (these terms have not yet been defined, but are likely to relate to entitlement to carer’s allowance and disability living allowance or the personal independence payment);
claimants responsible for a child under one (lone parents or the main carer in a couple);
recent victims of domestic violence, who will be exempt from work-related requirements for up to 13 weeks. It is likely that this will apply to claimants who have suffered actual or threatened violence within the previous six months, inflicted by a partner or relative with whom they no longer live;
women who are pregnant for at least 24 weeks, from 11 weeks before their due date to 15 weeks after the pregnancy ends;
adopters, for 52 weeks from the date of the adoption;
claimants above the qualifying age for state pension credit;
full-time students;
claimants in work who are above the ‘conditionality threshold’ (see above), or would be but for the fact that they are on maternity or paternity leave, on strike, entitled to statutory sick pay, or in prison.

Worst case scenario I am afraid is sanctions for non compliance but they will give you a period of time to find extra hours or get a second job. It's all very harsh.

Another problem will be fitting in all the job centre interviews whilst having a job!

If you only need a small amount of extra hours your current employer may well be your best bet to save you from all of this.

iammumtoone

Thanks, that's very helpful.

Do you know if I would be able to become self employed for the extra hours needed at MW to make my total to 35 x MW.

I won't earn MW as a self employed person. no where near but would be happy to be assessed as if I was earning MW, would this be a way around to enable me to keep my current job if they can't offer extra hours?

Doing the paperwork for the self employment will not be an issue for me, however it is unlikely that I will make any money from it.

iammumtoone

I have just done some calculations and as things stand I would only need to work 2 extra hours per week at MW to bring my combined total to 35 x MW.

It seems crazy that I would be forced to jeopardize my current job by having to go to interviews/JC appointments when I am suppose to be working.

On the plus side it might be possible to get an evening job for a couple of hours a week.

iammumtoone

Sorry another question

How will the amount earned at my job be calculated, I am assuming it will be like tax credits and they base it on the amount earned for the previous year?

I earn different amounts each year depending on the amount of overtime I am given.

If it goes by contracted hours I am screwed as I work much more that my basic contracted hours.

Sambella

It's a lot of hassle just for another 2 hourspay a week isn't it!

I'm not totally sure but you may be able to do dog walking or something for 2 hours.

Sambella

It will be your total gross salary which will include overtime payments.

theronstar

Have you aired out your situation to Universal Credit?

I am wondering if you are giving yourself stress instead of simply talking to them.

UC is staffed by humans and it is they who set your claimant commitment. I am sure that a Decision Maker could grant you an exemption.

The gripe of the DWP is that some claimants carry out the bare minimum amount of employment, in order to satisfy their benefit claim.

You are not trying to do this so for what it is worth, I think you will be fine.