5 week month on UC?

Pinkystar

We recieve a small amount of UC. Both me and my husband work. We both get paid weekly. Last month the assessment period covered 5 weeks. So making our wages seem higher. We didn't get any UC for this period. It seems so bloody draconian and unfair. Am I just going to have to put up with it 4 times a year when it falls? Or is there anything I can do to try and reclaim it back?
Thank you 😊

poppy12345

UC is based on earnings received during your assessment period. When you're paid weekly like this there will be more times a year when your UC will be reduced to zero in the months that have 5 weeks. Unforunately, this is the way UC works and there's nothing you can do as there's nothing to reclaim back.

Pinkystar

Thanks. It just seems so unfair. Nothing to be done I guess.

calcotti

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles

Pinkystar

Thanks for that link. I've seen the info before. Just doesn't seem fair. Basically told to 'prepare for these weeks'. Easier said than done lol.

poppy12345

Although you do have 1 extra weeks wages during those months so i'm unsure why it's not fair.

Rubyroobs

It is not unfair. On a  month where four paydays are reported you get more Uc and on a five week month you get less? It works out exactly the same as someone being paid monthly on the same annual salary surely?

calcotti

Rubyroobs said: It works out exactly the same as someone being paid monthly on the same annual salary surely?

In cases where the double payment results in no UC payable the 4 weekly paid person may well be better off overall because in a month where no UC is payable some of the earnings have effectively been ignored.

Say UC maximum amount is £1000 and earrings are £12000/annum.
If earnings are paid monthly they are £1000/month, earnings deduction is £670 and UC payable is £370 resulting in total UC over 12 months of £4,440.
If earnings are paid 4 weekly this is £923/month, earnings deduction is £582 and UC payable is £418/month. 11 such payments would be received which totals £4,598. 
The person paid 4 weekly is better off by £158.

NedS

calcotti said:

Rubyroobs said: It works out exactly the same as someone being paid monthly on the same annual salary surely?

Not necessarily. Can end up with more money overall because in a month where no UC is payable some of the earnings have effectively been ignored.

Exactly, it's not unfair at all, you are likely benefiting overall for the reasons @calcotti cites and may well receive more UC over the course of a year as a result than if you were paid monthly. You do not appear to be seeing the bigger picture.

Robbie64

Just to point out, I think you also need to restart your UC claim to make sure you get a UC payment next month. I don't think it is done automatically. Someone may know better but the original plan of UC payments automatically restarting within 6 months of a claim ending was abandoned a few years ago. See point 8 at the above link posted by calcotti.

calcotti

Robbie64 said:

Just to point out, I think you also need to restart your UC claim to make sure you get a UC payment next month. I don't think it is done automatically. Someone may know better but the original plan of UC payments automatically restarting within 6 months of a claim ending was abandoned a few years ago. See point 8 at the above link posted by calcotti.

Only if the claim is closed. Under temporary Covid measures that may not happen at the moment. However it’s a good point and OP should keep an eye on the journal, in normal times claim would close with option to make rapid reclaim.