Moving from benefits to full time work 29 November 2022 at 1:37PM in Benefits & tax credits 2 replies 200 views

WinMeSomeStuff

Hi all,

I have been in receipt of carers allowance for last 6 years looking after my partner. I also receive income support, housing benefit, council tax support and joint claim child tax credits with my family. 

We have got to a point where my partner has gained back some independence allowing me to return to work. I managed to get a full time permanent position job starting in January 2023.

My query is when should I notify the relevant benefit teams I have a job? I am worried if i mention it before my first payday that I will be left short in income to pay bills (rent/council tax etc) since the Salary is £24296 per annum,since my benefits will need to stop . Do I need to notify them before hand or once I get my first payslip.

Cheers for any advice
Phil.

calcotti

Carer's Allowance is paid based on your previous earnings so will continue until you are paid.

However the IS, HB and CTR are worked out weekly based on what you are earning so I think you need to tell them when you start work.

The Tax Credits are worked out based on annual income. Again I would tell them when you start - there may well have been an overpayment, if so you will need to agree a repayment plan.

Well done managing to get back into employment in a reasonably paid job.

It would be worth doing a benefits calculation to check whether you might be better claiming UC rather than Tax Credits once you are in work (you can't claim UC if you have joint savings over £16,000). For UC you can claim the carer element regardless of earnings.

Calculators here
https://www.entitledto.co.uk
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

If you try these difficult to follow try a local advice agency https://advicelocal.uk

WinMeSomeStuff

calcotti said:

Carer's Allowance is paid based on your previous earnings so will continue until you are paid.

However the IS, HB and CTR are worked out weekly based on what you are earning so I think you need to tell them when you start work.

The Tax Credits are worked out based on annual income. Again I would tell them when you start - there may well have been an overpayment, if so you will need to agree a repayment plan.

Well done managing to get back into employment in a reasonably paid job.

It would be worth doing a benefits calculation to check whether you might be better claiming UC rather than Tax Credits once you are in work (you can't claim UC if you have joint savings over £16,000). For UC you can claim the carer element regardless of earnings.

Calculators here
https://www.entitledto.co.uk
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

If you try these difficult to follow try a local advice agency https://advicelocal.uk

Thank you so much for this response it is a great help! Thanks again.