When to claim UC?

Fliss_M

I don't currently claim UC because I don't qualify. I have 3 children 1 of which was born after the 2 child limit.

From April to September when the eldest goes to university, I'll be eligible because of the removal of the limit.

I'm not sure how best to go about claiming it? As in, do I wait till April and the changes? Do I do it now? Is it back dated to the point at which you claimed?

Thanks in advance x

itsthelittlethings

I don’t think you can claim it in advance so I’d claim in on the first day you are eligible. Once you have proved your ID I think it’s paid in arrears every four weeks. It shouldn’t need to be backdated unless there’s something really unusual that holds up your claim.

sgthammer

I didn't realise that having a third child meant you couldn't claim benefits for the other two?

Have I read this right, or is something else in your circumstances changing at the same time?

itsthelittlethings

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81923775#Comment_81923775

I think OP may be working and earning too much if only eligible for 2 children, but not if eligible for 3.

Fliss_M

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81923775#Comment_81923775

So I earn too much to qualify for anything other than CB with 2 children but I do qualify with 3 x

Fliss_M

Excellent, thank you. I've only ever heard bad things about UC so wasn't sure where to start with it. Is the first day the 6th April? New tax year?

NedS

@Fliss_M You can claim for UC now.

They will evaluate if you are entitled to receive any UC payment month on month, depending upon your income. If your income is too high, you will receive a NIL (£0) UC award. If you receive no UC payment in 6 months due to your earnings being too high, then they will close your UC claim.

So you can claim now, knowing that after April you will start to receive monthly payments once circumstances change. Or you could wait until the rules change in April.

Note that claims are not back dated, and run from the date you submit the finished claim online.

HillStreetBlues

When you do claim make sure your wages will be in one Assessment Period as far easier that way.

Yamor

The exact date the rules change is 6th April, and they will take effect for Assessment Periods starting on or after that date.

As such, if you are not entitled to UC with two child elements, but would be with three, then you should submit your claim on 6th April.

An earlier claim will mean you will only become entitled at a later date, as you won't be entitled for the WHOLE of the first month from the date of your claim.

At the extreme, if you claim one day early, on 5th April, then your first Assessment Period will be 5th April to 4th May, and would only include two child elements, meaning no entitlement in your situation. That then means you will only become entitled from 5th May.

One other point to be aware of is that on the other end (i.e., when your oldest leaves non-advanced education), your entitlement will end from the start of the Assessment Period in which they leave non-advanced education. That could well cancel out any gain you make by waiting until 6th April to claim UC.

But overall you definitely won't be worse-off by claiming on 6th April, and you would only get your money earlier, so I would aim for that date.

Fliss_M

Amazing help everyone thank you xxx