Benefits calculator accurate?

amylouise39

Hi all!

I'm currently on maternity leave and will be returning to work in July 2022. I'm already thinking about the hours/days I will be working and I have used the online benefit calculators (Entitled To & Turn2Us) for different scenarios to see what I could be entitled to.

I was wondering if anyone has used these calculators and then gone on to claim Universal Credit. Were the calculations given to you accurate / close to the amount you get paid? I don't want to be in a position to rely on Universal Credit, but I need to make sure I'm in a positive position when returning to work.

poppy12345

amylouise39 said:

Hi all!

I'm currently on maternity leave and will be returning to work in July 2022. I'm already thinking about the hours/days I will be working and I have used the online benefit calculators (Entitled To & Turn2Us) for different scenarios to see what I could be entitled to.

I was wondering if anyone has used these calculators and then gone on to claim Universal Credit. Were the calculations given to you accurate / close to the amount you get paid? I don't want to be in a position to rely on Universal Credit, but I need to make sure I'm in a positive position when returning to work.

A benefit calculator is only as good as the information you put into it, so if that information is correct the calculation should be correct. Bear in mind that benefits usually increase by a small amount each April.

As UC is a means tested benefit if you live with a partner you claim as a couple. Savings/capital of more than £16,000 and you'll be excluded from claiming. There will be a deduction of £4.35 per month for every £250 or part there of over £6,000.

As UC is based on earnings received during your monthly assessment period then your UC is likely to fluctuate too.

calcotti

Did you get (roughly) the same answer from both calculators? If you did, given that the data is entered slightly differently, that provides some reassurance that the calculation is correct.