Universal credit/ Tax credit query

Zoreos

Hello, I am new to MSE and I would like some help and advice regarding migration from Tax credits to Universal Credit.

I live with my partner and Ds and currently claim child tax credits only due to our earnings being over the threshold for working tax credits.

I understand that from July 2019 all current tax credits claimants are due to be moved onto universal credit unless they have a change of circumstances before.

However, after speaking in depth with OH about this with all the recent going ons with the UC disasters we have worked out our projected UC income (which isn't a lot) and have decided that as both of us work and have no appetite to be involved with all of the hassle and worry and bad treatment that it brings. We both have claimed IB-JSA in the past and had awful experiences and don't believe as working people it's worth being treated in the same capacity as those who don't want to work just because we're classed as low income earners. It's not that we're snobs we just want the freedom to be able to choose our own working hours (I work part time) and not be forced into a job we don't want or forced to do extra job search/training programmers and interviews when we already work. My question is will we be forced to claim UC once tax credit comes to an end or can we just decide not to?

I cannot find any information about how to finalize end of year tax credits if you're not moving into UC only the people that are.

Many thanks for any advice it will be gratefully received.

Ames

You can't be forced to claim any benefit, so you'd just close your claim.

I don't know if it's a different date for people on tax credits but for disability benefits it's due to start sometime in 2020, and based on when they moved people to PIP and ESA it will take a long time. It won't be as simple as 'on this date everyone claiming tax credits is now claiming UC'. So you probably have longer than you think to adjust, try to get better paid work etc.

Icequeen99

Migration will still require a claim for UC, so it will be as simple as not making that claim.

IQ

Dandytf

Ames wrote: »

You can't be forced to claim any benefit, so you'd just close your claim.

I don't know if it's a different date for people on tax credits but for disability benefits it's due to start sometime in 2020, and based on when they moved people to PIP and ESA it will take a long time. It won't be as simple as 'on this date everyone claiming tax credits is now claiming UC'. So you probably have longer than you think to adjust, try to get better paid work etc.

Exactly makes sense.
I don’t want to intrude on another mser’s thread though I did read via my local council website later 2017- that existing pip/wtc claimants aren’t being moved over to u.c which is due to start 2018 onwards in my area.
Think I’ll continue with existing 2023 pip and hopefully weekly w.t.c. Payments,
With this info in mind I appreciate the reminder via your kind reply!

Ames

Dandytf wrote: »

Exactly makes sense.
I don’t want to intrude on another mser’s thread though I did read via my local council website later 2017- that existing pip/wtc claimants aren’t being moved over to u.c which is due to start 2018 onwards in my area.
Think I’ll continue with existing 2023 pip and hopefully weekly w.t.c. Payments,
With this info in mind I appreciate the reminder via your kind reply!

PIP isn't one of the benefits being replaced by UC anyway so it would just be your tax credits that would change.

Zoreos

Thank you so much everybody you've really put my mind at ease! Will just have to wait and see what happens now.

Dandytf

Ames wrote: »

PIP isn't one of the benefits being replaced by UC anyway so it would just be your tax credits that would change.

Forgot that,it’s my w.t.c. For this thread-my error

Off topic With m.s. I sometimes wonder why pip has end date i.e. 3rd Atos appt last year resulted in claim until 2023.