Reporting a change with universal credit

darklight2

Hi there,

I started a new job today and am on universal credit. How long do you have to report a change? I haven't signed a contract yet and I'm not sure how things will work out because I have some health issues which may affect things. Should I report it straight it away?

Thanks

Sam

yksi

I would advise that you are working straight away, but not that it is a permanent job until you have a written contract. In the section asking how many hours you "usually" work - I personally just wrote 0. This is the UC guideance for a zero-hours contract anyway.

If/when you sign a permanent contract, you can update it again with another change of circumstance and enter the permanent hours in the box.

MalMonroe

If you are on any kind of benefit you should have been advised before it started that you have to report ALL changes of circumstance WHEN they occur. I have been in a similar position but I advise that it is always best to be up front and extremely honest when you are in receipt of benefits because if you are not, you will be required to repay any overpaid benefits. The thing with DWP is that they have your social security number and when you start working, your employer has to inform DWP for tax purposes. If you don't advise a change of circumstance and they find out about it, you'll be in big trouble. It's not worth it. Just report all changes of circumstance. It's really dodgy trying to avoid reporting changes because although it may take them some time (in some cases, years) to discover what's been going on, DWP WILL find out. I think yksi, who has also given you some advice, has either been very lucky, or not been found out yet. Whatever, if it were me, I just wouldn't chance it.

yksi

MalMonroe wrote: »

I think yksi, who has also given you some advice, has either been very lucky, or not been found out yet. Whatever, if it were me, I just wouldn't chance it.

Since you've now suggested that I need to be caught for something, I've edited my post. I've never taken a penny that I wasn't entitled to just for the record. I have sent a PM to the OP as it seems evident that you can't advise anyone to protect themselves from a sanction, without being accused of fraud.

calcotti

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

• finding or finishing a job
• having a child
• moving in with your partner
• starting to care for a child or disabled person
• moving to a new address
• changing your bank details
• your rent going up or down
• changes to your health condition
• becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
• changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)

TELLIT01

yksi wrote: »

I would advise that you are working straight away, but not that it is a permanent job until you have a written contract. In the section asking how many hours you "usually" work - I personally just wrote 0. This is the UC guideance for a zero-hours contract anyway.

If/when you sign a permanent contract, you can update it again with another change of circumstance and enter the permanent hours in the box.

Written contract or not, it makes no difference to whether a job is permanent or not. Employers can get rid of employees easily within the first 2 years unless they fall into a 'protected' category.

KatrinaWaves

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Written contract or not, it makes no difference to whether a job is permanent or not. Employers can get rid of employees easily within the first 2 years unless they fall into a 'protected' category.

Everyone falls into a protected category :P

I think what you mean is that you cannot get rid of someone PURELY because of said protected category.

TELLIT01

KatrinaWaves wrote: »

Everyone falls into a protected category :P

I think what you mean is that you cannot get rid of someone PURELY because of said protected category.

No, I meant what I said. Most people have no security of employment in the first 2 years. The company can dismiss without giving any reason in the vast majority of instances.

KatrinaWaves

TELLIT01 wrote: »

No, I meant what I said. Most people have no security of employment in the first 2 years. The company can dismiss without giving any reason in the vast majority of instances.

Okay I shall remove my benefit of the doubt then! You are wrong in what you claimed. ALL people have no security in the first two years, disabled people, black people, transgender people, gay people, all of them have the same rights.

Written contract or not, it makes no difference to whether a job is permanent or not. Employers can get rid of employees easily within the first 2 years unless they fall into a 'protected' category.

Everyone has a protected characteristic, sex is a protected characteristic. However, even someone who falls into one of the other protected categories can still be sacked. You can sack them easily in the first two years, as long as you are not sacking them solely for their protected characteristic. There is no 'unless' about it. Anyone can be gotten rid of easily in the first two years as long as you are not being discriminatory.

[Deleted User]

MalMonroe wrote: »

If you are on any kind of benefit you should have been advised before it started that you have to report ALL changes of circumstance WHEN they occur. I have been in a similar position but I advise that it is always best to be up front and extremely honest when you are in receipt of benefits because if you are not, you will be required to repay any overpaid benefits. The thing with DWP is that they have your social security number and when you start working, your employer has to inform DWP for tax purposes. If you don't advise a change of circumstance and they find out about it, you'll be in big trouble. It's not worth it. Just report all changes of circumstance. It's really dodgy trying to avoid reporting changes because although it may take them some time (in some cases, years) to discover what's been going on, DWP WILL find out. I think yksi, who has also given you some advice, has either been very lucky, or not been found out yet. Whatever, if it were me, I just wouldn't chance it.

Your employer informs HMRC for tax purposes not the DWP, HMRC will inform DWP for UC purposes a different thing.

jobseeking_help

hi darklight, the real advantage to reporting a change of circumstances for work is almost certainly this will then move your claim into a ' work group' by which you no longer have to attend meetings at the jobcentre. Regards