stay on universal credit or tell them I am sick

strawberryberry

Hi a bit of advice please. I am currently getting UC £317.82 a month ( no other benefits). Less any odd days I work. My monthly claim finishes on the 2nd each month so its a new month from2nd December. At the moment I am not well enough for work laryngitis and tonsilitis Dr put me on antibiotics. I am due for an operation any time now so want to get well for that. Am I best keeping quiet about all this and just getting my UC for December ( schools will be closing soon anyway for xmas hols ) then re looking for supply work January. Or would I be better off on sick pay - I've heard UC can take weeks to get a payment so I'm worried if I come off I may not get money for ages and it may be a hassle to get back on.
Thanks for any help

huckster

UC is a benefit for people working or not working due to health reasons.

So you stay on UC. If you are sick for more than 7 days which I think is the self certified sick period, then you should inform UC, gets a Doctors fit note and post it or take it to local Job Centre. If your sickness is likely to extend beyond say a month, UC can arrange a Work Capability health assessment, but unlikely for a temporary illness.

If you were not working, so no earnings, you would normally need to attend Job Centre appointments to search for work, however a Doctors fit note covering a temporary illness should be taken into account.

TELLIT01

As huckster says, once you are on UC you stay on it, with possibly some rare exceptions, whether looking for work or ill. The basic theory behind UC is that there isn't a possible break or delay in payment as there could be when moving from ESA to JSA or vice versa. The delay you refer to is in the initial payment of UC. You will need to provide a 'Fit Note' (medical certificate) from your GP if you are ill and unable to work or seek work.

strawberryberry

Thanks for the info - I dont normally go in and see them at the JC now as I cancelled appointments when I got odd days work ( they always seemed to fall on my appointments day) the last two times I had a telephone appointments.For this month I've not heard anything about going in at all or a telephone appointment. Some months I get a bit of money, sometimes none depending on what I've earned. Sounds like I am better not mentioning anything and just keeping things running smoothly. When I get the appointment I will only be in hospital for a few days and off for two weeks ( I've had the op before a few years ago).