UC allowance - Leaving the part time job

danielD70

Dear all,

I am currently receiving UC and having 2 jobs. Main job is a min 37 hours full time but average 50 hours with a good pay. 2nd job which used to be a full time job for more than 10 years now reduced to one day as my main job pays better salary and due to working hours unable to do more hours in the 2nd job.

When I applied for the UC few months back both jobs were mentioned in the application.
Due to high salary some Months I receive NO UC. Homeowner here.

My wife is a full time housewife. 2 children aged 5 and 9. UC didn't request her to work.

Since this part time job is one night per week night shift and been working for 10+ years I am planning to quit the the job so I can have some free time for me during the weekend. If I leave the job the max income I will loose is £264 per month as it's a 7.5 hours per week job.

Will I be sanctioned for leaving this job???
 I will always have the opportunity to cover some part of this above mentioned income from the first job.

What are your opinion about this scenario?

Thanks in advance 

 

calcotti

You will not be sanctioned because your remaining work in your primary job is still more than you are required to do.

NedS

calcotti said:

You will not be sanctioned because your remaining work in your primary job is still more than you are required to do.

Correct, you can only be sanctioned for leaving a job voluntarily (or being sacked for misconduct) if that change then moves you into the Intensive Work Search regime within 91 days. You cannot receive a sanction for the aforementioned whilst you remain in Light Touch or Working Enough regimes due to earnings.

danielD70

Many thanks for your feedback.
If I decide to quit the 2nd job is it better to speak to an advisor and get his feedback or just mention it in the change of circumstances section online.

Thanks 

calcotti

Just report it as a change of circumstances.

danielD70

Hi,

I just had a chat with a Citizen Advise Bureau regarding this matter. They said  DWP may want to give me/wife change of commitment. UC might ask my wife to find work/study for a course. Our To-Do-List was always empty since the first UC allowance and do you think since there is a drop income they might add any commitments.

Thanks

Robbie64

As advised, report it to the DWP as a change of circumstances. If your Work Coach needs to speak to you then you will be contacted. However as your income is well above the monthly earnings threshold you are already meeting your monthly committments.

danielD70

Thanks for your feedback. I still haven't decided to quit the part time job. If I do I'll report to DWP. 

poppy12345

danielD70 said:

Our To-Do-List was always empty since the first UC allowance and do you think since there is a drop income they might add any commitments.

No because as has been advised your income is more than the earnings threshold.

danielD70

Hi,

What is the average earnings threshold amount. How is that calculated?

Thanks 

calcotti

danielD70 said:

What is the average earnings threshold amount. How is that calculated?

The Administrative Earnings Threshold amounts are £494 for an individual and £782 for a couple.
These amounts are calculated as 12 hours x National Minimum Wage for an individual and 19 hours for a couple.
These amounts will increase in January to 15 hours (£617) and 24 hours (£988).

Where a UC claimant is subject to all work-related requirements, the AET is used to determine which conditionality regime the claimant is allocated to. UC claimants are placed in the Intensive Work Search) IWS regime if they are earning less than their AET, or placed in the Light Touch regime if they are earning at or above their AET but below their CET. Those in the IWS regime are required to accept a Claimant Commitment agreeing work search requirements and work availability requirements as well as work preparation and work-focused interview requirements. Whereas those in Light Touch are not required to comply with work search requirements or work availability requirements.