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Can I claim Universal credit under these circumstances?

Enigmaman
Enigmaman Posts: 301 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
edited 24 June 2017 at 2:18PM in Benefits & tax credits
I recently lost my DLA and have asked for a MR re: PIP.

As a consequence, I have had my Tax Credits cut at the same time that my local council has removed my Council Tax support because I am self-employed.

As a result I have a total average weekly income of £88 and have to find about £16 p.w in Council Tax. The council have turned me down for an Exceptional Hardship Award as I have savings, which are depleting rapidly.

The CAB advised me that at present I have a weekly net income of £72 and would only get £73 on UC, and have to pay a little in Council Tax as well. So given how stressed I am they say it is not worth the hassle.

- Can anyone please verify the CAB are correct?

- If I signed off sick could I get more money? Maybe do permitted work? Or would I lose money that I earned out of Universal Credit or Council Tax, or both?

- Can I claim a bit of UC on top of Tax Credits?

- Where do I go to get a Better off Calculation?

TIA

Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Enigmaman wrote: »
    I recently lost my DLA and have asked for a MR re: PIP.

    As a consequence, I have had my Tax Credits cut at the same time that my local council has removed my Council Tax support because I am self-employed.

    As a result I have a total average weekly income of £88 and have to find about £16 p.w in Council Tax. The council have turned me down for an Exceptional Hardship Award as I have savings, which are depleting rapidly.

    The CAB advised me that at present I have a weekly net income of £72 and would only get £73 on UC, and have to pay a little in Council Tax as well. So given how stressed I am they say it is not worth the hassle.

    - Can anyone please verify the CAB are correct?

    - If I signed off sick could I get more money? Maybe do permitted work? Or would I lose money that I earned out of Universal Credit or Council Tax, or both?

    - Can I claim a bit of UC on top of Tax Credits?

    - Where do I go to get a Better off Calculation?

    TIA

    Which local authority are you under ?

    Craig
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Enigmaman
    Enigmaman Posts: 301 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Dover District Couincil
  • Icequeen99
    Icequeen99 Posts: 3,775 Forumite
    To answer your last question - you can't claim UC and tax credits together.

    Also, depending on the area you are in, you may not be able to get back to tax credits if you leave it even if you win your PIP appeal.

    If you have been self-employed for more than 12 months, then you may be subject to something called the 'minimum income floor' for universal credit unless you give up your self-employment altogether.

    IQ
  • Enigmaman
    Enigmaman Posts: 301 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Do you perhaps have a link to this information?

    How much is the minimum income floor?

    How much Universal Credit might I get if I get PIP? I was getting £110 p.w. previously.
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,915 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Enigmaman wrote: »
    Do you perhaps have a link to this information?

    How much is the minimum income floor?

    It is the income they will assume you earn based on x hours x minimum wage and use that income in the calculations rather that your own if yours is lower
    http://www.bitc.org.uk/system/files/uc-and-self-employment-q-a-aug-2015.pdf
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