Half pay and run out of SSP!

Sarah69

Hi,

I'm now on half pay and SSP has run out. I’d been advised  by payroll and CAB to apply for benefits so have applied for universal credit. I had no payment for October and now none for this month. My son who was on universal credit said that what I would get on half pay probably isn’t low enough to get universal credit, is that correct? If so what can I claim for as I can’t live on half pay and pay bills?! 

poppy12345

Advice was given in your previous thread last month to look at claiming New Style ESA. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6563475/ssp-please-explain-in-simple-terms#latest

NI contributions needed to claim this are tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#eligibility

You will need a fit note and SSP1 form to claim it. 

Spoonie_Turtle

We need a bit more information about your circumstances to be able to say if it's correct or not (quite possibly is, but equally it's possible they've missed off an element or something on your UC).

Is it just you or do you live with a partner, any dependent children, do you rent or own your home?  Savings?  (rough level, we don't need to know exactly)  Any other income?

Sarah69

Spoonie_Turtle said:

We need a bit more information about your circumstances to be able to say if it's correct or not (quite possibly is, but equally it's possible they've missed off an element or something on your UC).

Is it just you or do you live with a partner, any dependent children, do you rent or own your home?  Savings?  (rough level, we don't need to know exactly)  Any other income?

No, I don’t have a partner or dependent children. My house is housing association and I don’t have any savings. 

Spoonie_Turtle

So your UC calculation will be
> £393.45 standard allowance (assuming you're over 25, since you have an adult son)
> Plus rent - full rent if all the bedrooms are being used, or a deduction if you have some spare (14% for one spare or 25% for two or more).

If your son lives with you and is aged 21+ there would be a non-dependant deduction of £85.73 £91.47 too.

So if you want to do the calculation:
£393.45
+ Your monthly rent  (if it's charged weekly, x52 ÷12 to get monthly amount)
- any deductions for spare bedroom and/or your son
= Maximum UC payment

Now calculate your monthly pay x 0.55.  That's what will be deducted from your UC for earnings.


Or, you can post a screenshot of your UC statement with personal details redacted, and we can check if it's correct for you.

poppy12345

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If your son lives with you and is aged 21+ there would be a non-dependant deduction of £85.73 too.

That was last years rate. The rate for 2024/25 is £91.47/month. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/non-dependants

Spoonie_Turtle

poppy12345 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If your son lives with you and is aged 21+ there would be a non-dependant deduction of £85.73 too.

That was last years rate. The rate for 2024/25 is £91.47/month. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/non-dependants

Thanks, I got it from the Shelter page and they must have not updated it!

Edit: yes I see now they did say 2023/24, and the page last updated August 2023.  My mistake for not noticing, but strange they've not kept it updated.

Sarah69

Spoonie_Turtle said:

So your UC calculation will be
> £393.45 standard allowance (assuming you're over 25, since you have an adult son)
> Plus rent - full rent if all the bedrooms are being used, or a deduction if you have some spare (14% for one spare or 25% for two or more).

If your son lives with you and is aged 21+ there would be a non-dependant deduction of £85.73 £91.47 too.

So if you want to do the calculation:
£393.45
+ Your monthly rent  (if it's charged weekly, x52 ÷12 to get monthly amount)
- any deductions for spare bedroom and/or your son
= Maximum UC payment

Now calculate your monthly pay x 0.55.  That's what will be deducted from your UC for earnings.


Or, you can post a screenshot of your UC statement with personal details redacted, and we can check if it's correct for you.

Is this what you mean? 

Spoonie_Turtle

Yes, perfect, that's exactly what I meant.  
On the face of it that does look correct.

Let's just check if you should be having two non-dependant deductions.
You've not mentioned claiming PIP but if you do, you shouldn't have the deductions.

Otherwise, the two adults who live with you, are either of them under 21 or fall into any of these categories?

(From entitled To) There will be no contribution expected of non-dependants who are under 21, there will also be no contribution expected of non-dependants who are 21 or over and:

• receiving Pension Credit
• receiving the care component of Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate
• receiving the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
• receiving Attendance Allowance 
• receiving Carer's Allowance
• the primary carer for a child aged 4 or under

If neither of the two adults living with you fall into any of those categories then yes, it's all correct.

The only thing to do is … ah, you can't have a Work Capability Assessment on UC as you earn more than 16xNMW/week, unless you do claim PIP.  I'm not sure what the situation with ESA is if you're getting paid but off sick, but on your other thread another member reckons you can claim it since you're off sick.

With ESA if you're deemed not fit for work, it would give you a work allowance for UC and if you're put in the Support Group it would give you an extra element payable too.  I'm not sure if you'd have any UC payable after they deduct ESA though.


So, it looks like ESA is the way to go unless any of the potential points above apply for the non-dependant deduction(s).  And even if the deduction(s) aren't right, ESA may still pay more than the UC left after your wages.

HillStreetBlues

Spoonie_Turtle said:

So, it looks like ESA is the way to go unless any of the potential points above apply for the non-dependant deduction(s).  And even if the deduction(s) aren't right, ESA may still pay more than the UC left after your wages.

I don't think the non-dependant deduction(s) matter (unless I'm misunderstanding the rules), as even without those the deductions will still be more than entitlement.

chrisbur

Have you received your SSP1 form and any med/certs covering time after SSP runs out.  As advised before this will give instructions on how to apply for ESA.