Single parent - universal credit @ university help

Kristykake2000

Ok, thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to help me work it all out  

Kristykake2000

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

So should I start my claim prior to getting my wages from my old job ? Or wait til it’s been paid then claim ? 

I appreciate all the help here - thank you

Any wages received within an AP will be taken into account. The first £512 are ignored (because you have a child and are not claiming help with rent), above this 63% of the earnings are deducted from the UC payable.
How much are you earning?

I won’t be earning anything as I will be full time uni. The only income I’d get would be the maintenance loan and the parents learning allowance 

I meant how much are you earning now. I was trying to work out if it is worth you claiming UC now.

I see. 

I get around £1000 pm now after tax but also ctc and wtc

calcotti

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

So should I start my claim prior to getting my wages from my old job ? Or wait til it’s been paid then claim ? 

I appreciate all the help here - thank you

Any wages received within an AP will be taken into account. The first £512 are ignored (because you have a child and are not claiming help with rent), above this 63% of the earnings are deducted from the UC payable.
How much are you earning?

I won’t be earning anything as I will be full time uni. The only income I’d get would be the maintenance loan and the parents learning allowance 

I meant how much are you earning now. I was trying to work out if it is worth you claiming UC now.

I see. 

I get around £1000 pm now after tax but also ctc and wtc

That’s a crucial piece of information.

If you are getting Tax Credits you can continue to claim CTC, no need to switch to UC. Claiming UC would end Tax Credits and you would not be able to go back. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-credits-working-out-income appears to say that student loans are ignored for Tax Credits.

It therefore appears that on UC you would get nothing but on Tax Credits you will get maximum CTC.

I hope somebody else can confirm this because benefits for students is not an area I am familiar with and this seems a ridiculous difference (so I’m worried that I’ve missed something).

Kristykake2000

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

So should I start my claim prior to getting my wages from my old job ? Or wait til it’s been paid then claim ? 

I appreciate all the help here - thank you

Any wages received within an AP will be taken into account. The first £512 are ignored (because you have a child and are not claiming help with rent), above this 63% of the earnings are deducted from the UC payable.
How much are you earning?

I won’t be earning anything as I will be full time uni. The only income I’d get would be the maintenance loan and the parents learning allowance 

I meant how much are you earning now. I was trying to work out if it is worth you claiming UC now.

I see. 

I get around £1000 pm now after tax but also ctc and wtc

If you are getting Tax Credits you can continue to claim CTC, no need to switch to UC. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-credits-working-out-income appears to say that student loans re ignored for Tax Credits.

I have been advised it’s around £52pw for CTC at uni, so from working out the UC I think it’s best I stick to CTC. Can they force me to change to UC as my circumstances change ? 

calcotti

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

calcotti said:

Kristykake2000 said:

So should I start my claim prior to getting my wages from my old job ? Or wait til it’s been paid then claim ? 

I appreciate all the help here - thank you

Any wages received within an AP will be taken into account. The first £512 are ignored (because you have a child and are not claiming help with rent), above this 63% of the earnings are deducted from the UC payable.
How much are you earning?

I won’t be earning anything as I will be full time uni. The only income I’d get would be the maintenance loan and the parents learning allowance 

I meant how much are you earning now. I was trying to work out if it is worth you claiming UC now.

I see. 

I get around £1000 pm now after tax but also ctc and wtc

If you are getting Tax Credits you can continue to claim CTC, no need to switch to UC. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-credits-working-out-income appears to say that student loans re ignored for Tax Credits.

I have been advised it’s around £52pw for CTC at uni, so from working out the UC I think it’s best I stick to CTC. Can they force me to change to UC as my circumstances change ? 

Not for becoming a student.

Kristykake2000

Ok. I think I know where I would be better offnow  

calcotti

You must of course report the change in your circumstances to Tax Credits when it occurs.

Kristykake2000

I will do. Do I report it on my uni start date, 25th September? Or my last work pay date 26th October ? 

strawb_shortcake

My Husband starts uni in September, we contacted tax credits to ask about the maintenance loan and I was advised that they don't so our payments will continue as normal.

calcotti

Kristykake2000 said:

I will do. Do I report it on my uni start date, 25th September? Or my last work pay date 26th October ? 

I think in your case the critical thing is the fact that you will no longer be working so that will end your Working Tax Credits. The critical date would therefore be your last date of employment. You may get a four week run on in terms of entitlement. It may be worth ringing them now to ask what you need to report and when.