Universal Credit - Do I have to keep jobsearching after getting work?

matthewcl375

I recently finished uni and immediately signed on to Universal Credit. Three days later I was offered work after attending an interview at my local pub. Between then and now I have continued to job search as per the DWP 35 hours weekly requirement, having not told them I'd been offered a job. I only told them a couple of days ago.

I have an induction session on Monday, and have been told my first shift will be Wednesday 12th July. My question is whether between now and then I have to continue looking for work if I am to remain signed on to UC? To me it doesn't make sense to be applying for jobs and going to interviews if I know I'm starting work anyway within just over a week. Alternatively I could just withdraw my claim I guess.

Could anyone please advise? Thanks!

matthewcl375

Can someone help, thanks

Torry_Quine

Yes you have to continue job searching,going to interviews etc to continue the claim. It's a good idea anyway as jobs aren't guaranteed to start.

matthewcl375

Since I'm fairly certain I'm starting there (they offered me the job and I took it) it would make more sense then to withdraw my claim and just get paid for the previous couple of weeks. Job searching is mind-numbing at best its very hard to stay motivated looking for work when I know I've already got a job so the whole exercise is pointless

poppy12345

matthewcl375 wrote: »

Since I'm fairly certain I'm starting there (they offered me the job and I took it) it would make more sense then to withdraw my claim and just get paid for the previous couple of weeks. Job searching is mind-numbing at best its very hard to stay motivated looking for work when I know I've already got a job so the whole exercise is pointless

Fairly certain? what if that job falls through and you cancel your claim you'll have to reclaim. Surely that would be worse than just continuing to look until you actually start working? Makes sense to me.

matthewcl375

You're probably right, but some of the UC rules are just bs. There's not enough jobs out there for an efficient person to spend 35 hours a week applying for

elsien

Don't withdraw the claim - you're entitled to be paid up until you start.
You can still show some job searching activities, send off a few CVs. Exaggerate a bit if you have to as to how long it's taken you. You're unlikely to be offered an interview in the next week, and if you are just tell them you can't attend.
As an interviewer I could spot a mile off the applications that had clearly been sent to make up the numbers and keep DWP happy.
And you never know, something you like better might come along.

pmlindyloo

matthewcl375 wrote: »

I recently finished uni and immediately signed on to Universal Credit. Three days later I was offered work after attending an interview at my local pub. Between then and now I have continued to job search as per the DWP 35 hours weekly requirement, having not told them I'd been offered a job. I only told them a couple of days ago.

I have an induction session on Monday, and have been told my first shift will be Wednesday 12th July. My question is whether between now and then I have to continue looking for work if I am to remain signed on to UC? To me it doesn't make sense to be applying for jobs and going to interviews if I know I'm starting work anyway within just over a week. Alternatively I could just withdraw my claim I guess.

Could anyone please advise? Thanks!

Does your claimant commitment match your job offer? Are you doing a sufficient number of hours (for example)

Are you claiming housing costs within your claim?

The correct procedure is to inform them when the job begins and then book an appointment with your job coach to discuss your claimant commitment.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/getting-a-job-or-pay-increase-while-on-universal-credit/

TELLIT01

Don't close your claim to UC until you actually start the new job. If you don't have an appointment at the JC before your start date you can get away without doing the pointless jobsearch. If you do have to visit the JC before your new job it's possible that somebody would operate to the letter and sanction you.

DCFC79

matthewcl375 wrote: »

Since I'm fairly certain I'm starting there (they offered me the job and I took it) it would make more sense then to withdraw my claim and just get paid for the previous couple of weeks. Job searching is mind-numbing at best its very hard to stay motivated looking for work when I know I've already got a job so the whole exercise is pointless

Didn't need to start a new thread as there's other threads asking the same question.

Yes continue with your claim until you start the job at the pub, you might find something more suitable eg more hours, something more suited to your skillset.

jessex1990

Don't close your claim, based on your hours or wages you could be entitled to carry on getting UC payments. Just in case your employer decides to change your hours about or it turns out that your actually on zero hours which is quite common for pubs and restaurants