Universal Credit and Job start date

UncleArly

So I have a normal seasonal job that runs Mid Feb-November. I signed up for UC in October last year in anticipation for becoming unemployed (whilst applying for jobs over the winter period). 

I was not successful with any jobs I was applying for (at least 10 per day) and I came across Evri. I started working for them, classed myself as self employed etc. 

had a meeting with a work coach who said I was “gainfully self employed” on the basis of what I was told by my Evri manager that I could earn at least 1k a month but upto 2k. My work coach put me down as 1.5k minimum income floor with the start up period so my UC payment would be based on actual earnings. 

The Evri job I really enjoyed but the actual earnings were far less. For the month of November I earned £400 but after expenses it was around £300. I still had a payment from my seasonal job and remaining holiday so I wasn’t out of pocket and my UC payment was zero. 

Decembers earnings were a different story. I ended up making £750 with Evri but after expenses it worked out to be £550. 

UC topped up my pay which was great. 

I had a chat with my manager about the expected earnings she originally told me and she was very rude and basically told me if I didn’t like it, find something else. As we were going in January, it wasn’t going to stay busy and I’d be more likely earning £200 or less. 

Now, I want to work, but the wear and tear on my car is crazy due to delivery driving and it’s very unlikely I would get a job for a month. 

I had my interview for my season job and it’s confirmed I will start on the 10th feb so today I decided to quit Evri. 

It’s not that I don’t want to work, but to earn £200 and potentially cause wear and tear down the line that could cost more than that didn’t seem worth it to me. 

I updated my UC today with a change of circumstance. Said I was unemployed but it asked me if I expected to start work in the next month. I did so stating 10th feb would be my start date. 

I’ve now read loads of websites saying I should have only told them once that date hit. 

Now I am panicking I did the wrong thing? I didn’t want to lie and say I wasn’t expecting work. 

Will UC now want me to work somewhere else and I’ll have to reject my seasonal job? Can anyone help?

UncleArly

Is anyone able to advise about the above?  

peb

You may get a response if you post on the benefits board as this is more of a benefit question.