Can

chimpysmith

Can i ask your

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Why did you think you were entitled to something in the first place (before you were in contact with DWP)?

Spoonie_Turtle

I can't really comment on how much front line workers of UC actually know about the benefit they work with.  If the person you saw actually is knowledgeable perhaps they mistook your weekly wage amount for monthly?  That's all I can think of.  (But if he knew you work 39hrs/wk then a second thought should have made him realise that wouldn't make sense.)

The calculation is done automatically by the computer system at the end of your assessment period.  Based on the information given, your maximum UC would be £393.45 if you're 25 or over.  That means with a deduction rate of 55%, earnings of £715.36 in a month would mean nil entitlement.

Unless you rent, have caring responsibilities, or a health condition that affects your ability to work (which can apply to people working, although working 39hrs/wk you'd need to be claiming a qualifying disability benefit for that to potentially apply).

teaselMay

It looks as though you earn more in a week than your monthly UC entitlement could be and so zero award sounds right. Have you used an online calculator? Put your details in here and see what it says https://www.entitledto.co.uk/ .

poppy12345

chimpysmith said:

 Would you like a an early payment?'

They are referring to the advance payment here. You can apply for this, regardless of whether there's any entitlement to UC. Usually the advance payment is based on your maximum UC entitlement before deductions. This payment is just a loan and would have needed to be repaid back. 

huckster

Job Centres are not supposed to provide any benefit calculations. They may show people the Gov.uk benefit rates information and explain how benefits are calculated e.g. how earnings are treated. And advise to use an online benefit calculator.

I suspect the person seen simply advised that you could claim UC and did not say you would receive any normal monthly payment.

TheShape

Spoonie_Turtle said:

I can't really comment on how much front line workers of UC actually know about the benefit they work with.  

My experience is that Work Coaches certainly do not know much about how entitlement/awards and/or payments are calculated.

In the OPs situation though, I think it should have been (almost 100%) clear that without a change in their circumstances during the assessment period, they wouldn't receive an award of UC.

That said, with awards only being calculated at the end of each assessment period it's difficult to determine an award with total certainty because a change of circumstances may change the award.

It was correct to say that the OP would be advised of any award and the amount when their statement was produced.

poppy12345

He's correct about your UC maximum entitlement. However, you then have the earnings deduction which for you without the work allowance is 55p for every £1 of earnings received. 

huckster

It is sometimes a case of they can't win. Those attending Job Centres are looking for confirmation they can receive UC, weeks before the first UC statement is issued and I suspect the Job Centre staff are trying to offer reassurance of basic entitlement.  This thread suggests that before the first assessment period is ended no reassurance should be offered and people should simply be told to use an online benefits calculator.