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AIBU?

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Original poster

UC entitlement

37 replies

user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:24

Sorry not really AIBU but really need help with a UC calculation. I know there's calculators online but I don't know how accurate these are and I want to know before I make the claim. I've never claimed anything before so it's really overwhelming me and I don't know where to start. Is there anybody here who would help me? My circumstances are below:

Couple over 25 with 1 child who receives middle rate DLA, no mobility element as under 5.
Partner works & earns £21k.
Rent £800
No savings/any other capital

Please advice needed

OP posts:
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user24197 · 31/08/2023 16:35

@Babyroobs I applied for UC on a joint claim whilst we are both working and it says I can get a maximum advance of up to £1660.59. From this do you know what the monthly payment might be? Would it be about £166?

Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 14:47

Redlarge · 28/08/2023 13:01

I dont earn anywhere near that and dont qualify. Do you have a lot of children? Pay rent?

Show quote history

Childcare is what pushes it up. My entitlement is roughly £1500 a month, I own so get higher work allowance then I get about £600 a month UC after taper which doesn’t cover childcare but still it helps.

I do think life would be easier if we had more universal subsidised childcare/ more LA housing like scandi countries. It makes no sense to spend fortunes paying private landlords or forcing women ( nearly always women) out of work because they can’t afford childcare in the long term.

Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 13:42

user26758 · 28/08/2023 13:30

@Babyroobs is the child element capped at 1 or do you receive it for any more?

It is capped at 2 unless all children were born before April 2017.

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 13:30

@Babyroobs is the child element capped at 1 or do you receive it for any more?

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 13:26

user26758 · 28/08/2023 13:22

@Babyroobs does that include carers allowance?

It includes carers element , not carers allowance. You can still get Uc carers element if you chose not to claim the carers allowance separately. the only advantages to claiming carers allowance really are that it can be paid weekly so can help budgeting, it gives you a better class of NI contributions towards your state pension, and you get a £10 Christmas bonus !

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 13:23

@Babyroobs sorry just seen your previous comments! Thanks 🙏🏻

OP posts:
Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 13:22

@Babyroobs does that include carers allowance?

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 13:17

Redlarge · 28/08/2023 13:13

Does this include rent.

Show quote history

Yes it includes rent element but if the LHA that op gave is correct, it is still a lot less than the rent they pay but with private renting this is often the case.

Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 13:15

Sorry should have explained the calculation.
Couples over 25 element £578.82
Child element £269.58
Rent element £478.70
Disabled child lower element £146.31
Carers element £185.86.

Total Uc = £1659.27

deduction for earnings £1521 - 379 ( work allowance) x0.55 = £628.10

£1659.27 minus £628.10 = £1031.17 UC payable each month.

Redlarge · 28/08/2023 13:13

Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 13:11

I make it that you will get £1031.17 Uc per month after deductions for partners earnings, then you'd have his wages, DLA and child benefit on top.
If you were to claim carers allowance seperately then that can be paid weekly but is deducted in full from your UC each month, so you are no better or worse off by claiming it although it does pay you a better class of NI contributions.

Does this include rent.

Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 13:11

I make it that you will get £1031.17 Uc per month after deductions for partners earnings, then you'd have his wages, DLA and child benefit on top.
If you were to claim carers allowance seperately then that can be paid weekly but is deducted in full from your UC each month, so you are no better or worse off by claiming it although it does pay you a better class of NI contributions.

Redlarge · 28/08/2023 13:01

Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 10:11

Do the calculator now. You may find that even being paid you are entitled to a small amount of UC. For reference I take home £2.2k a month and get UC. Hmrc reports to UC your take home pay and if it goes down UC goes up.

I dont earn anywhere near that and dont qualify. Do you have a lot of children? Pay rent?

Beezknees · 28/08/2023 12:59

The calculators are very accurate usually. I work and claim UC and the calculators have been spot on.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 28/08/2023 12:59

Don't forget that while you wait for it to be processed you will have your last months wages to live off. UC is paid in arrears not in advance just like wages are.
If it doesn't work out or there's a gap you can ask for an advance.

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 12:51

@Babyroobs our LHA is £110.47 according to the rates on the website, my partner earns around £1521 after tax a month (£1833 before tax) and our dc was born in 2019

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 11:35

If you tell me the local housing allowance ( if you are private renting ) and your partner net earnings assuming he is paid monthly then I can do the calculation for you. Also need to know whether your child was born before April 2017 or after.

Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 11:26

user26758 · 28/08/2023 11:07

Just did the entitledto calculator with our current salaries and just discovered we are entitled to a small amount which I am surprised about!

So if I do decide to stop working in the future, will UC automatically adjust the payments to take that into account?

Yes, HMRC will inform them of your income over the payment period and it can go up or down. You hear a lot of complaints about UC but I’ve found it really straightforward, it was set up two years ago, I have no commitments beyond informing them of changes, they don’t get in touch ever, they do pay me as per calculation on time every month. Hopefully you have the same experience.

Elleherd · 28/08/2023 11:19

If you think you may be dependant on CA to bridge the gap, please speak to them before assuming. It may be different as it's your own child, but they've told me a week ago a potential carer for a disabled adult may have to wait up to six weeks for money to come through but they should start work anyway and use food banks etc. (Unsurprisingly the applicant declined the work.)

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 11:07

Just did the entitledto calculator with our current salaries and just discovered we are entitled to a small amount which I am surprised about!

So if I do decide to stop working in the future, will UC automatically adjust the payments to take that into account?

OP posts:
Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 10:47

However I’ve known couples with decent take homes be entitled depending on circumstances. If you have relatively high entitlements then you need to take home a lot to wipe those out. If your entitlement is 2k for example couple, child, uplift due to disability, rent etc Then you need to take home about £4k to wipe it out.

Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 10:38

Yup

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 10:17

@Pleaseme are you a single person though?

OP posts:
Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 10:11

Do the calculator now. You may find that even being paid you are entitled to a small amount of UC. For reference I take home £2.2k a month and get UC. Hmrc reports to UC your take home pay and if it goes down UC goes up.

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 10:07

It's the notice period at my work which is bothering me. I work my notice, finish work and then what? Will there be some period of time where I have no money coming in until the UC is awarded?

OP posts:
Bingbangboo64 · 28/08/2023 09:59

Just apply for it abd find out?