Universal Credit vs Jobseeker's Allowance - help needed

Hashim1

Hi there.



I'm 23, and up until a few weeks ago was on income-based Jobseekers' Allowance while working 8 hours a week, studying a GCSE and living with my parents. However, I had to call in sick due to an appointment, and although the woman on the phone said it was fine, the next time I went in the advisors signed me off and told me I had to now claim Universal Credit.


I'm confused as to whether I should go ahead with Universal Credit or appeal the decision with Jobseeker's Allowance. I've been told I will be better off on Universal Credit, but even if that is the case, I'm worried because I've heard that UC affects household incomes, and I don't want the income of my dad (who is disabled and on DLA/PIP) to be affected.



I'm also wondering about how hard it is to look for jobs on Universal Credit - on Jobseeker's I was able to write down all the jobs I'd applied to in a 2-week period before I had to sign on, but I've been told that on UC it's a requirement to write in the journal every other day. Is this true?



I would really appreciate some help here as my income atm is very, very low, and I'm a bit overwhelmed. Thank you.

pmlindyloo

How much are you earning each week?

pmlindyloo

Let us assume you are earning national minimum wage which is £7.70 an hour. This means that your weekly rate is £61.60.

JSA for under 25s is £57.90. Taking account of the disregard (£5?) means that you are receiving very little money from JSA. Correct? Not sure if you are claiming Carer's Allowance for your dad or not. Is he on Mid care DLA or standard living PIP?

Does your dad receive any other benefits?

We need this information to answer your questions.

You can try putting your details into the benefit calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk to see if you would be better off on Universal Credit.

Hashim1

pmlindyloo wrote: »

How much are you earning each week?

Thanks for the quick reply, I'm earning just over £60 a week, the Jobseeker's was useful to top up my income when I couldn't make it to work and for things like prescriptions and appointments.

pmlindyloo

I am sorry to keep pushing you with questions but it is very important that we have all the correct information to give correct replies.

You say 'when I couldn't make it to work'. Does this mean that you have caring responsibilities or were ill or what?

Why are you only working 8 hours a week?

Please answer my other questions too!

calcotti

Your dad’s/parent’s benefits will not be affected by you claiming UC. You are separate benefit units.

Your UC standard allowance (under 25) is £251.77. If you earn £60/week this is £260/month so an earnings deduction of £163.80 will be made leaving a UC payment of £87.97/month (equivalent to £20.30/week). Under JSA I would expect you only to be getting £2.90/week, basedon earnings of £60, so UC is quite a bit better. Under UC you may have to attend the JobCentre less often.

If you look after you dad for 35 hours/week you may be able to ask to be treated as his carer and would get an additional £160.20/month. You would also not be required to look for work. To do this he would need to be getting the Daily Living part of PIP and nobody can already be claiming Carer’s Allowance (or getting the carer element of UC) for looking after him.