Universal Credit Question

dlpfan2019

Hi all,

A friend of mine is looking for some advice on UC and everyone has been good to me on the other threads so thought I would ask for her - I have not applied so do not know the answer

Her and her partner currently receive Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits, housing benefit and Child Benefit payments, her partner has just lost his job due to Gross Misconduct

They will have to apply for UC as its been rolled out in the area, however the questions are:

- They understand there will be a penalty but is it just a penalty for the element that would have been job seekers? - ie will she lose child benefit/ tax credits equivalents during this time
- She is pregnant with her 3rd child and is 15 weeks along, I read that the UC system cannot do 3 children at the moment but am assuming she does apply now as not born yet?

I am not sure if it makes a difference but her partner has another job which he is starting next week so will have started one when the claim is made

tomtom256

Child benefit will be unaffected as it still paid by HMRC, any sanctions if given will be taken out of the personal allowance only.


That being said, they do not actually ask why you left a job when claiming UC only if you are employed or have ceased working in last 12 months.

calcotti

tomtom256 wrote: »

Child benefit will be unaffected as it still paid by HMRC, any sanctions if given will be taken out of the personal allowance only.


That being said, they do not actually ask why you left a job when claiming UC only if you are employed or have ceased working in last 12 months.

When the answer is that you have stopped working in the last 12 months do they not ask why?

calcotti

Is your friend doing any work at the moment?

If a high level sanction is imposed it will be 91 days from the date of dismissal. However the DWP should take into account any evidence that partner can provide that the employer was wrong to dismiss and the behaviour was not misconduct (if this is applicable).

jetplane

If he is starting work next week seriously do not claim UC he just needs to notify HMRC and housing benefit of his change of employer and earnings.

Tax credits have a 4 week run on, being out of work for a couple of weeks will not generate the need for a new claim.

tomtom256

No it's not within the questions as far as I have seen when doing new claims. The work coach you see may ask the reason, but most aren't bothered to be honest.

calcotti

jetplane wrote: »

If he is starting work next week seriously do not claim UC he just needs to notify HMRC and housing benefit of his change of employer and earnings.

Tax credits have a 4 week run on, being out of work for a couple of weeks will not generate the need for a new claim.

Totally missed that in the OP post. Completely agree, if starting new job with such a short break do not apply for UC, stay on existing benefits but let agencies know about changed income.

dlpfan2019

Oh brilliant,

Thanks a lot for all the help I will pass it on