UC Payments after getting a job

adrianddev

I am receiving UC Payments, with the assesment period running from the 16th to 16th of each month. 

On the 1st, I have notified UC of the fact that I started a full time job from that day. So I expected this month's UC payment to be a half of what I normally receive (because I have been working for the other half of the month).

However I just got this month's UC statement saying that there will be a full payment at the end of the month (as usual).

I wonder how does that work? Will they only realise that you actually worked when they get the data from HMRC at the end of the month? And if so, will I need to repay back half of what I receive this month? 

Thank you in advance!

poppy12345

UC is based on earnings received during your assessment period. Just reporting that you're working without having received any earnings doesn't affect your UC. Your next UC payment will be reduced by 63% if you don't have the work allowance, which means your UC could be reduced to zero but this will depend on your circumstances.

This is one good thing about UC unlike what JSA used to be like.

adrianddev

poppy12345 said:

UC is based on earnings received during your assessment period. Just reporting that you're working without having received any earnings doesn't affect your UC. Your next UC payment will be reduced by 63% if you don't have the work allowance, which means your UC could be reduced to zero but this will depend on your circumstances.

This is one good thing about UC unlike what JSA used to be like.

Thank you for the explanation. So next month the new job should be taken into account, which will probably reduce the benefit to 0. However, will I need to pay back half of what I receive this month? Because I have been working for half of the current assesment period (which they will only realise at the end of the month when HMRC send the data over). Thank you 

poppy12345

Yes once you've received your wages it will be taken into account so will affect next months UC. No you will not have to pay back any of this months UC because as advised you haven't yet received any earnings so there's nothing to be taken into account. DWP check the RTI so they will know what you've received.

adrianddev

Oh I see, so it's a case of which assesment period you get paid in, and not which assesment period you declare that you started work (but haven't get paid yet). Thanks a lot 

poppy12345

adrianddev said:

Oh I see, so it's a case of which assesment period you get paid in, and not which assesment period you declare that you started work (but haven't get paid yet). Thanks a lot 

Correct. Where as JSA would end once you start work.