UC & one-off bonus

All_the_Daisies

Hi there,

The company I work for is planning to give us a one-off bonus this pay day (around £550 after tax), which will likely mean that I will only be eligible for a very tiny amount of Universal Credit in my next payment, if anything. Do I need to write in my journal that I am going to be receiving the bonus? I am worried that my claim will be closed as a result of the extra money in my wages when my pay returns to normal next month. Any advice would be much appreciated. 

Thank you

NedS

You do not need to do anything. UC should see the bonus as increased pay for that month, and as you say your UC will be reduced in that month as a result. Even if your UC is reduced to NIL for the month, your claim will not close (and even if it did, it's a couple clicks for you to reopen it).

Since Covid, you now need 6 consecutive months of zero UC due to earnings before the claim will close automatically, so nothing for you to worry about.

calcotti

You are correct that the bonus will reduce your UC you get but if there is still some UC entitlement you don’t need to explain. UC is designed to fluctuate as earnings vary.

All_the_Daisies

Brilliant, thank you both very much for your help

Numberwang_2

You could just get your employer to pay the bonus in to your pension. Thus not increasing your net income and not reducing your uc.