Universal credit - Starting a new job

MayTheOdds

Hi there,

Apologies if this has been answered before - This is my first time claiming UC.

I signed on for Universal Credit on the 4th November (So my assessment period is from 4th to 3rd), applied for some jobs, went for a job interview, Course and work trial.

I have been offered a job, but the start date isn't until the 3rd December - Which is the last day of my monthly assessment.

So what I want to know is will I still be entitled to the full month's benefit? Do I tell the Job Center now, or report it closer to the time?

Thank you for any help.

Peddeh

Yes, from my experience, you should be entitled to that full month's UC pay . I would double check though, as I wouldn't be surprised if UC rules have changed since I was last on it, earlier in the year.

I would report it closer to the time, there's no need to raise anything with them yet. As I'm sure you are aware though, you will need to adhere to your job search commitments to be eligible for your payment(s). If your work coach was anything like mine though, they'll be lenient on you and will turn a blind eye (I got really lucky I think!).

In my case, when I started the job I'm in, I informed the DWP the day I started (this was what my work coach advised at the time), no issues what so ever, and I got the money I was entitled to up until that day.

Congrats on the job, and best of luck.

MayTheOdds

Thank you

I didn't know whether to tell my work coach or not. I've had 2 meetings with a work coach so far, but I didn't see the same one from my first meeting in the second one (I don't know if that is normal or not). But both have been very friendly and helpful, so far.

I was just afraid that if I told someone, my payment would be stopped. Which i didn't think would be fair as I wouldn't have worked at all during the month, despite receiving a job offer.

I've continued adding jobs to my journal just to keep everything looking good and will notify them on my first day of work.

poppy12345

MayTheOdds wrote: »

Thank you

I was just afraid that if I told someone, my payment would be stopped. Which i didn't think would be fair as I wouldn't have worked at all during the month, despite receiving a job offer.

UC doesn't work that way. Your payments won't stop. If you don't receive any pay during your assessment period then you'll receive all of your payment from UC. It's the assessment period that counts for UC.
When you start working, the more you're paid during this period, the less UC you'll receive. They maybe times during your assessment period where you could be paid twice from your employer, especially if you're paid every 4 weeks. If this happens then it's likely your UC will be reduced to zero for that month.

MayTheOdds

poppy12345 wrote: »

UC doesn't work that way. Your payments won't stop. If you don't receive any pay during your assessment period then you'll receive all of your payment from UC. It's the assessment period that counts for UC.
When you start working, the more you're paid during this period, the less UC you'll receive. They maybe times during your assessment period where you could be paid twice from your employer, especially if you're paid every 4 weeks. If this happens then it's likely your UC will be reduced to zero for that month.

Thank you!

As i said this is the first time i've used UC, or any benefit system and nothing was explained about what happens in the event of a job offer etc so i wasn't really sure how it works. But what you've said makes sense.

Sharon87

UC is a weird system. It's all about what you get paid during the assessment period. If you got paid past wages during your assessment period that is taken into account. They don't take into consideration the time you're out of work for, it's what you get from wages in each assessment period (which is ridiculous), I've been paid a lot less than what I would have got on JSA and HB separately when I was out of work for just over a month once. Also if I was out of work for a couple weeks I most likely wouldn't get anything.