Universal credit - Started a new job but don’t know my earnings yet 11 September 2022 at 9:49AM in Benefits & tax credits 7 replies 173 views

room512

Hi.  Hope someone can help.  We receive UC.  I have just started a job so when do I need to tell UC?   Until I get paid I don’t know what my earnings will be. I will be paid on the 26th. Do I wait until I get my pay slip and then update my details? Thanks for any help. 

poppy12345

If you've already started then you will need to "report a change of circumstances" now and tell them. Your UC is based on earnings received during your assessment period. Your employer should report your earnings to HMRC and DWP usually check  RTI for the information.

If you have the work allowance then a certain amount of earnings will be dirgarded before the 55% deductions apply. If you claim for help with the rent it will be £344/month. If you don't then it's £573/month.

room512

I have tried to fill it in but it asks how much I will earn and I don’t know. I know that sounds silly but it is a pro rata job and it isn’t easy to work it out. Can I fill it in when I know? 

huckster

It may be a pro-rata job, but you should know the hourly rate or can work it out. It has to be at least national minimum wage rate.

How many hours per week are stated in the contract ?   For someone working full time, how many hours would they work for this employer?  And what is the full time salary for the job ?

theoretica

Will the form allow 'variable' or something like that or does it insist on a number?

huckster

If they know the hours per week and the hourly rate, they can just enter that information.

Pro-rata suggests a part-time job.  So if for example they are being paid say £13000 a year based on say 20 hours per week, they can work out the hourly rate.

The employer should be able to confirm the information, so the correct reporting could be made to UC.  Should not really need to perform calculations.

room512

Upon further investigation on the form I realised I could put in my annual pay so I have done that.  Sorry I should have checked out the form before panicking!

NedS

If you don't know exact figures for now, it's fine to just put in your best guess for hours worked or earnings. Your actual monthly UC payment will be based on the actual amount earned in that month, which should be reported to UC by HMRC via your employer.

Just keep an eye on your UC statements to make sure any reported earnings are correct each month so you are not receiving an under or over payment.