Universal Credit To-Do-List on my Account

MusicGirl97

Hi there, basically I’ve put a claim in for Universal Credit and tomorrow need to ring the contact number to arrange my appointment. Basically I’ve noticed on my to-do-list there’s a section where it asks about my earnings at on my last job and one of the questions is;
‘In the 12 months before your job ended, were there any gaps in your employment?
This doesn't include paid holidays, maternity or paternity leave’.

I was only working for 3 months and before that I was on my college course and didn’t work. It’s a yes or no question so would I answer it saying yes?! Because of course there were gaps because I only did work experience for my college course and didn’t have a job.

There is also a section titled ‘preparing for your commitments meeting’. So I was wondering does both the past job earnings section and the other section mentioned need to be completed before I attend my interview for my claim with my work coach?!

calcotti

With apologies to the OP I have a supplementary question. Can anybody explain why the DWP would be asking about gaps in employment for 12 months prior to the claim, I cannot see the relevance to a UC claim.

huckster

If you had gaps, you answer yes. And complete the to-list before you attend the Job Centre.

The reason UC is interested in gaps in last 12 months, is partly to understand previous history of employment. For example, some people only work seasonal work and have months where they don't work or earn. This is not to say it will remain this way. If history then repeats itself in the next 12 months, the UC computer and UC staff will see that during say November to February the claimant may not work.

There are surprisingly quite a lot of people that only work say 9 months of the year and earn enough to be able to survive the other 3 months. If they earned enough during the 9 months, then the question is why they are claiming UC for the other 3 months. Asking for 12 months income, gives an idea of how much people earn over a year. Of course it might change.

Earnings obviously affect work group and commitments. So again all data is useful to understand the individual.

MusicGirl97

12 months before I was working I was still on my college course and didn!!!8217;t work. So would this be classed as a gap?! I completed work placements but that was towards my academic diploma

Malik_Ahmad

Hello,
I would to ask about the To-do-list,the question is : In the 12 months before you claimed Universal Credit, were there any gaps in your employment? I´m a Homemaker,so therefore this question doesn´t apply to my case. How should I answer,it´s a No and Yes Question.

Again,there is an another question : In the 12 months before you claimed Universal Credit, were you living with a partner? I came to The UK last year,in october and started living with my husband since then. So is it a Yes or does this question suggests it needed to be for at least 12 months?
I´m having problem answering these questions.

sportsarb

You are living with a partner so you would answer yes to that question.

I would answer no to the gaps question.

calcotti

sportsarb wrote: »

You are living with a partner so you would answer yes to that question.

I would answer no to the gaps question.

Once your UC journal is up and running you can always post a message saying that for the avoidance of doubt you wish to make clear that you are not currently working and have not done so at any time since joining your husband in October 2018.

tomtom256

calcotti wrote: »

With apologies to the OP I have a supplementary question. Can anybody explain why the DWP would be asking about gaps in employment for 12 months prior to the claim, I cannot see the relevance to a UC claim.

If they have worked and earned over I think 430 a month in the last 12 months then they are put into light touch or something similar for the first AP, rather than straight into intensive work search.

It gives them a little breather before they have to start attending appointments etc.