We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Would I be better off changing to Universal Credit from Tax Credits?
Comments
-
Nannytone said:I may have missed it so I apologise if this question has already been asked.
OP, is your husband paid monthly or 4 weekly?Jobfromhome said: his paid weekly
That means the UC payable with fluctuate and will not be what I said per month (the total over a year will be unchanged).
Because UC is calculated monthly in some months he will have 4 weekly earnings payments taken into account and UC will be a bit higher than I calculated but every third month he will get 5 weekly payments taken into account and the UC payable will be less than I calculated.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles#if-youre-paid-weekly
What is his weekly take home pay?Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.1 -
poppy12345 said:Jobfromhome said:Nannytone said:I may have missed it so I apologise if this question has already been asked.
OP, is your husband paid monthly or 4 weekly?
This ^^ as UC entitlement depends on earnings received during your assessment period, as previously explaned. Being paid weekly will see some months will less money because of the payment cycles with his earnings because some months he will receive 5 wages rather than 4. See link and scroll down to weekly payments. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles0 -
Jobfromhome said: dam so everytime he gets a 5 wage month I read it as the payments stop and we have to apply againWhen you have 5 weekly earnings payments within an assessment period, your income may be too high to qualify for Universal Credit in that month.For some people that would happen but given the size of your entitlement you will just see a variation in the amount you receive. As per my previous post - What is his weekly take home pay?Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.1
-
calcotti said:Nannytone said:I may have missed it so I apologise if this question has already been asked.
OP, is your husband paid monthly or 4 weekly?Jobfromhome said: his paid weekly
That means the UC payable with fluctuate and will not be what I said per month (the total over a year will be unchanged).
Because UC is calculated monthly in some months he will have 4 weekly earnings payments taken into account and UC will be a bit higher than I calculated but every third month he will get 5 weekly payments taken into account and the UC payable will be less than I calculated.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles#if-youre-paid-weekly
What is his weekly take home pay?0 -
calcotti said:Jobfromhome said: dam so everytime he gets a 5 wage month I read it as the payments stop and we have to apply againWhen you have 5 weekly earnings payments within an assessment period, your income may be too high to qualify for Universal Credit in that month.For some people that would happen but given the size of your entitlement you will just see a variation in the amount you receive. As per my previous post - What is his weekly take home pay?
0 -
Updated calculation based on 4 children and net earnings of £350/week.
housing £140/week = £606.67/month. Less housing costs contribution £75.53. Housing element £531.14
standard allowance £596.58, child 1 £282.50, children 2 - 4 (3 x £237.08) £711.24, housing £531.14. Maximum UC = £2.121.46
Month with 4 earnings payments. Earnings £1,400.00. Work Allowance £293.00. Earnings taken into account £1,107.00. Earnings deduction £697.41. UC payable £1,424.05.
Month with 5 earnings payments. Earnings £1,750.00. Work Allowance £293.00. Earnings taken into account £1,457.00. Earnings deduction £917.91. UC payable £1,203.65.
Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.1 -
Jobfromhome said:.. I read it as we would have to reapply everytime he has a 5 week pay month. That would be so much hassle.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.1
-
You may also be entitled to open a Help to save account, I think these are great ideas to encourage saving, and both you and your Husband can open one (if applicable)Make £2023 in 2023 (#36) £3479.30/£2023
Make £2024 in 2024...1 -
calcotti said:
Updated calculation based on 4 children and net earnings of £350/week.
housing £140/week = £606.67/month. Less housing costs contribution £75.53. Housing element £531.14
standard allowance £596.58, child 1 £282.50, children 2 - 4 (3 x £237.08) £711.24, housing £531.14. Maximum UC = £2.121.46
Month with 4 earnings payments. Earnings £1,400.00. Work Allowance £293.00. Earnings taken into account £1,107.00. Earnings deduction £697.41. UC payable £1,424.05.
Month with 5 earnings payments. Earnings £1,750.00. Work Allowance £293.00. Earnings taken into account £1,457.00. Earnings deduction £917.91. UC payable £1,203.65.
so UC payable £1,424.05 on 4 week pay months
and
UC payable £1,203.65. on 5 week pay months
plus our child benefit
then it all changes when our 18 year old goes to uni
but like I say we get 170 a week TC now due to go down to 121 a week August 31st
its like UC nearly pays our whole rent. If this is all near enough right it would be amazing for us
0 -
Actual UC will vary with actual wages received. Calculation assumes that the net pay of £350 is the correct figure. The figure UC will use will be the gross pay less NI, income tax and pension contributions. If there are any other deductions these may be added back for UC purposes.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 258.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards