Migration to universal credits

Amymay1985

Hi all! I was recieving tax credits and got a migration letter to go onto universal credits. I was waiting for the letter as worked out online via the calculator that I would be worse off than on tax credits. My understanding was that the transitional payment protection meant that I still get the same amount as on tax credits for a year as I am not allowed to be financially worse off. I got my universal credit decision for the first month and we are owed £0! Can anyone tell me what happens about the transitional payment as I haven't had anything for over 5 weeks now and getting worried. Thanks for reading! 

Newcad

Odd things happen with the current migrations from TCs.

It can take time before a Transitional Element gets added correctly.

You might find it useful to read all the way through this earlier thread about a zero award following migration.

It includes a disability which may not apply to you, but it's also a general 'what happened' -  Spoiler - a TE is eventually added once HMRC and DWP get their act together.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6484492/migrated-from-tax-credits-statement-showing-entitled-to-zero/p1

It would have been helpful if DWP had advised they were awaiting the HMRC info as I had a bit of a shock when I first got the statement showing zero due !

NedS

You will need to ask on your journal how your Transitional Protection amount was calculated and why you are not entitled to any UC.

Once you have a detailed answer, you can provide more information here and we will be able to advise you if it looks correct, or not.

ElwoodBlues

TP isn't just for 12 months, it's until the UC entitlement catches up to what your tax credits amount was (or a substantial change in circumstances).

If you're unsure why UC is coming out as zero, the UC website should show the calculation of how they've worked out your entitlement (including any TP included). If you're able to post a copy of that up here (make sure no identifying info in it), and let us know what tax credits you were previously receiving then someone can probably help explain how they've come to a zero entitlement. 

HillStreetBlues

ElwoodBlues said:

TP isn't just for 12 months, it's until the UC entitlement catches up to what your tax credits amount was (or a substantial change in circumstances).

If you're unsure why UC is coming out as zero, the UC website should show the calculation of how they've worked out your entitlement (including any TP included). If you're able to post a copy of that up here (make sure no identifying info in it), and let us know what tax credits you were previously receiving then someone can probably help explain how they've come to a zero entitlement. 

It would depend on any capital the OP might have.

Amymay1985

My husband has been paid twice in the first assesment period, it means with £0 going in I would of gone 8 weeks by the time the next assessment period takes place. I thought I would of had at least the equivalent money to tax credits due to the transitional payment. 

Yamor

Unfortunately, that is not how TP works.

All it does is ensure that your UC entitlement would be at least as much as the TC entitlement if your income is equal to the income used by tax credits.

In this case your income is higher, due to your husband's double income.

But can I ask, what has caused your husband to be paid twice in this AP?

Amymay1985

He gets paid the last Friday of every month so got paid 26th October (the first day of the assessment period) and the 23rd November. 

HillStreetBlues

Amymay1985 said:

He gets paid the last Friday of every month so got paid 26th October (the first day of the assessment period) and the 23rd November. 

Sadly UC is set for monthly payments, anything like your payments isn't ideal when it comes to UC.
26th Oct & 23rd Nov are Thursdays, does it go into bank a day early?

It such a pity that this isn't explained fully , as could have been avoided by startng you claim on a different date.

Amymay1985

It must of been the 27th and 24th November, both Fridays. I really wish I would of gone over in the new year as I am now very short for Christmas. 

HillStreetBlues

Amymay1985 said:

It must of been the 27th and 24th November, both Fridays. I really wish I would of gone over in the new year as I am now very short for Christmas. 

Sadly with your assessment period you will keep having these fluctuation issues with UC
Your 26th Dec-25th Jan period you won't get any wages paid in.