Paid before contract ends will it affect Universal credit?

Jiggysaw1111

I get my final wage on 28/4/2021 but contract doesnt end till 30/4/2001. 
Could this cause me problems with universal credit? I will be trying to get paid on the 27th as the 28th is the 1st day of my new cycle and if i did get paid early will it be a problem that i actually worked till the 30th? The whole set up is a nightmare. As i mentioned in a previous post im desperately trying to get paid on 27th so i might not have a 9 week wait for a UC payment but it never really occurred till now that the contract finishing on the 30th might cause a problem.

calcotti

UC works on when money is received, whether or not you are still technically employed will not matter.

Jiggysaw1111

Cheers calcotti. If i can get that payment early it will work out fine.

calcotti

To be clear, I should have said UC works on when the employer reports earnings as paid, this means that if your employer pays you early bu5 still reports the normal pay day UC will take the earnings as paid on the normal pay day.

Jiggysaw1111

Yeah ive just got this feeling even if they do pay me early sure as hell i will still get shafted. 

NedS

Jiggysaw1111 said:

Yeah ive just got this feeling even if they do pay me early sure as hell i will still get shafted. 

What makes you think you will 'get shafted'?

You are obviously well aware of how the Universal Credit system works. You are trying to manipulate circumstances to your own gain. The system is completely independent and neutral - earnings are considered in the month in which they are received. That's how the system works. The system does not take a personal view about you and your circumstances, and when you may get paid, one way or another. Hopefully you can get another job before the month is out and won't need Universal Credit at all.

Jiggysaw1111

Thats harsh. I think 5 weeks after my final wage is more than fair to get my next UC payment if i dont get a job. 9 weeks is horrendous. As you say its the system and it simply does not work. Even work coachs have said it seems very extreme to wait 9 weeks after final wage before get another payment. If i have to do that extra 4 weeks il need to borrow to get through to my next payment. Its a vicious circle. Just wish i could get a permanent job.

NedS

Jiggysaw1111 said:

Thats harsh. I think 5 weeks after my final wage is more than fair to get my next UC payment if i dont get a job. 9 weeks is horrendous. As you say its the system and it simply does not work. Even work coachs have said it seems very extreme to wait 9 weeks after final wage before get another payment. If i have to do that extra 4 weeks il need to borrow to get through to my next payment. Its a vicious circle. Just wish i could get a permanent job.

Yes, it may be harsh, but that's what the system is and it only appears harsh because of where your dates happen to fall. As already mentioned elsewhere, at the other end of the spectrum when you start a job, you will likely be paid twice for the first month, once by your employer and again by UC, because of how your dates happen to fall. So there's no element of losing out, just the fact you have a gap between income.

The UC system is designed to mimic work, paid monthly in arrears, to help remove that barrier to entering work. It is no different than if your job ends, and you get a new job a few weeks later which is paid monthly in arrears and your start date just misses the monthly payroll cut off date - you would likely go 9 weeks without payment. In that case you might reasonably ask your employer for an advance. In this case you might reasonable ask UC for an advance. I don't see it as a failure of the system, I see it as the system mimicking real life which was the intended design goal. But we are discussing policy which is not the intended purpose of this forum

Jiggysaw1111

Interesting points Neds. Yes i did get a UC payment during my 1st month. I do take your points. I still think there should be something in place for a 9 week gap though and that goes for anybody not just me. I feel JSA was fairer but we all have to move with the times. This 2 month contract was well worth taking but if it wasnt such a good contract theres little incentive to take a short term post when this kind of gap is possible at the end of it. I just find it staggering that if your unlucky you can have a enormous wait but on the flip side if it falls in your favour its fair so for me personally im always gonna think its not really that fair but its only my opinion.

Spoonie_Turtle

Jiggysaw1111 said:

Interesting points Neds. Yes i did get a UC payment during my 1st month. I do take your points. I still think there should be something in place for a 9 week gap though and that goes for anybody not just me. I feel JSA was fairer but we all have to move with the times. This 2 month contract was well worth taking but if it wasnt such a good contract theres little incentive to take a short term post when this kind of gap is possible at the end of it. I just find it staggering that if your unlucky you can have a enormous wait but on the flip side if it falls in your favour its fair so for me personally im always gonna think its not really that fair but its only my opinion.

It is fair because it all evens out - you sort of benefited at the start with your UC payment and your first wages in quick succession. Perhaps next time you have a short contract you will be prepared that this might happen and be able to budget for it, particularly considering the two payments quite close to each other near the beginning of the contract.