Working Tax Credits and Universal Credit

Luke_McDonnell

Hi,

My name is Luke and I am new to this forum but I have been enticed to post because I have a concern about how much I will get when I move onto Universal Credit as a currently claim Working Tax Credits with a disability premium (not the severe disability premium).

I am also concerned about how my current and future employment situation will affect this aswell as the current rollout of full service Universal Credit into my area.

Although my financial situation is OK at present as I live with my parents and have savings psychologically I don't like the idea of being worse off I have Asperger's sydndrome which makes me prone to anxiety and worrying.

I have done a calculation on a benefits calulcator website and I have also phoned Citizens Advice who put me through to Turn2us - an organisation which helps you calculate your benefits - both calculations seem to indicate that I will get no Universal Credit when currently I get about £50/week in Tax Credits.

Just letting you know about my employment situation - I have just finished at temporary part time contract on 11th March and I have been offered a new position which is part time and due to start on 9th April. Because this is a temporary contract (which could be extended but not certain) I am concerned that when this contract ends I will have to claim Universal Credit and therefore be entitled to zero Universal Credit if I move into a new part time position - as the full rollout of UC is due to come into force by the end of this year I have checked for my area September and after this in normal circumstances no new claims for WTC can be made.

I have called the Tax Credit helpline they said there are circumstances in which you are claiming UC and it is not going well for you they can put you back on WTC under what circumstances would this be.

I claim DLA middle rate care lower rate mobliity so hence I am entitled to the disablity element of WTC. AFAIK this element does not exist with UC. I am single, have no children and I live with Mum and Dad and I am 37 years old. I was suprised that I could potentially get nothing in work under UC under these circumstances, I thought there might be some sort of reduction but really nothing??!! This is of course assuming I am fit for work and I am not assessed as having "limited capability for work" under ESA/UC rules - if that was the case would I get anything then. If I had got a permant job or was kept on presumably I would get transitional protection but I am concerned that I could get nothing and not be able to claim WTC again once my next job ends. Anyone able to clarify as I do worry because of my condition (Aspergers) - even if my financial situation is stable. Also any advice if I do encounter one of these scenarios in the future?

BTW I thought government ministers have said that no one will be worse off under UC but that caveat "no change in circumstances" seems to be a pretty big caveat!

Regards
Luke

Ames

I don't know enough about UC or tax credits to be able to answer most of your questions, hopefully someone will be along soon who can.

One thing I can answer is about transitional protection. That only applies if the government move you to UC under managed migration which won't be starting for at least a year or two. If you have a change in circumstances which means you have to change to UC then there is no protection, you come under the new rules and that may well mean being entitled to less.

To get UC to top up your wages if you can't work full time (so similar to tax credits) you have to go through the work capability process, which is the same as ESA. Once they decide you have limited capability for work you can get the top up. I don't know how much it is or whether you'd be entitled to it. There's a current thread on here from someone who's been through the process and it seems you wouldn't get backpay for the time it takes to go through it. Your tax credits would stop and UC wouldn't start for a few months.

Also - it's not a good idea to use your real name on forums, anyone could be reading and there are nasty people on the internet. You need to contact the forum team about changing it.