Do I have to keep claiming UC if I'm not going to get anything?

theone999

I am getting a grant this month and next. And work wise there is both more trade and I'm working longer hours (I did not feel it safe before so barely did any jobs) so I don't expect to earn less than UC for the rest of this year. The advisor said the claims will be kept open for 6 months and I still have to do all the UC requirements but I feel it a waste of time now that things are going back to normal. 

GHolmesAdmin

If you now have a job or means I cannot see that you haven't met the requirements.

poppy12345

I'm assuming you're talking about the SEISS grant? If so and you're back working, then i can't see how you would be eligible. Part of the criteria for the 2nd grant is you're adversely affected after the 14th July. If you're not then you won't be eligible to claim it.

When a UC claim is reduced to zero because of earnings a claim usually closes but if you claim again within 6 months then you can do a repid reclaim from your journal and you'll keep the same assessment period dates as you previously had.

NedS

Normally a claim would be closed if you do not receive any UC in that month due to earnings, but because of Covid-19, and the unpredictable nature of people's incomes at the moment, they have extended this to 6 months, as you were advised.

If you are sure you are earnings enough and will not receive any UC, you can request in writing on your journal that you would like your claim to be closed and they will oblige. I understand that self employed people do not want to have to go through the hassle of reporting income and expenses every month if they are not going to receive anything. As mentioned above, if your earnings subsequently drop, simply log in using your same username/password and reopen your claim.

Spoonie_Turtle

poppy12345 said:

I'm assuming you're talking about the SEISS grant? If so and you're back working, then i can't see how you would be eligible. Part of the criteria for the 2nd grant is you're adversely affected after the 14th July. If you're not then you won't be eligible to claim it.

When a UC claim is reduced to zero because of earnings a claim usually closes but if you claim again within 6 months then you can do a repid reclaim from your journal and you'll keep the same assessment period dates as you previously had.

Adversely affected means just that - it doesn't mean no work at all or even some arbitrary 'less than half the work compared with before'. It just means, having been affected (adversely) by the pandemic, even if work/income has picked up again but not to pre-pandemic levels.