To think Universal Credit are a bunch of cunts

@LiterallyOnFire* What a nasty ignorant ageist attitude

Yes it is but it is an option rather than five weeks without money.

Yes it will be right if single, no dependents or rent as 20 hours wages will wipe entitlement. The sum is take home wage x 0.55. Then take that from uc entitlement of 393.45 Answer is probably O uc left to pay.

She's not "fortunate" to be claiming benefits, the government have designed a system in which the state tops up pay for lower paid workers as a handout to employers - paid for out of taxes including the OP's. I'm sure the OP would rather be paid a decent wage for her work.

I don't know if you've noticed, maybe it's something you've never had to worry about, but it's expensive to be skint. You can't buy in bulk, if your fridge breaks down or your car fails its MOT you have to borrow (at a cost) to pay for it, and when you inevitably go overdrawn by £0.37p you get hit with a £20 bank fine.

I expect the "just get a better job" lot will be along shortly so I'll ask you to consider what happens if we have no classroom assistants or doctor's receptionist or shop workers because they all magically got one of these millions of better paid jobs just floating around.

with a UC 'advance' is a debt.

It needs to be made clearer months ahead of having to apply that tax credits stop. I knew how bad the system was so managed to squirrel away enough money to tide me over in those weeks.

You are fortunate OP to be getting UC as well as an 'above minimum wage' salary. Sounds like you need to look at moving to a cheaper place and cutting your cloth accordingly.

Frankly, I think we should all disengage with the OP. She's clearly got anger issues and sounds very unpleasant and entitled.

Maybe they think the same about you, who knows. Either way it’s a pretty vile slur for somebody just following the rules of their job.

There isn’t a ‘better way of dealing with it’. What you’re suggesting would involve somebody going through every single payslip every month and would be an administrative nightmare. No system is perfect, it’s a shame you’ve fallen foul of this one but that’s how it is. When you’re dealing with millions of people no system is going to be 100% perfect.

If your employer is over of the largest government contractors, then they must have thousands of employees receiving UC.

The constructive thing to do, would be writing to your payroll and pointing out their responsibilities as set out by the government.

If they refuse to change their processes, you could then contact your MP asking for help. If they're a government contractor, I'd expect them to be bound by government policies in this area.

Well aren't you a peach.

Why don't you try not taking your anger out on strangers on the Internet and actually doing something constructive about it.

ring your mp today. Don’t write. We rang up, spoke to an assistant, emailed the details snd they were into universal credit immediately.

I like the fact that they go by your wages each month and you get a rough idea what you are getting. Tax credits nearly everyone owes money to them.

You can get an advance when you apply.

The UC system does seem worse than tax credits.

When I applied I don't recall any warnings about when to time an application or that there would be no tax credits for 5 weeks. Luckily I knew all this and timed it accordingly but many people don't and they end up in debt due to it. I overheard some vulnerable people in the job centre who had no idea of the new system.

Yes but it is only that month when I get two wages that is causes a zero award. We just try to keep some aside. The rest of the year it isnt an issue as it sounds like yours is?

@Northernlights1234 probably as other than the £70 a week part, the only other parts are housing element which you don't qualify for or money for young children which I'm guessing you don't have OR sickness elements.

The £70ish a week bit is for low income or unemployed and on 20 hours I imagine you just about go over it

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-information-for-employers#employers-your-responsibilities

Maybe send this link to your company's payroll and explain that the way they're paying you is causing you undue financial hardship and seriously impacting your mental health.

"Employers: your responsibilities

Employers do not need to know if their employees are on Universal Credit, but claimants can tell their employer if they wish.

You do not need to tell DWP about any employees who are getting Universal Credit.

If you are a PAYE (Pay As You Earn) employer, you must:

give the claimant’s PAYE information (their ‘Full Payment Submission’ (FPS)) to HMRC on or before the day they’re due to be paid
enter the usual date that you pay your employees on your FPS, even if you pay them on a different date because their normal date falls a non-banking day, for example a weekend or a bank holiday

Incorrect or late information could mean claimants will not receive the Universal Credit they are expecting.

DWP will then get the claimant’s work status and automatically work out what Universal Credit they’re entitled to based on the information you’ve already given to HMRC.

If you are not a PAYE employer, it is the claimant’s responsibility to report their pay to Universal Credit each month."

@Lovinglife57 To be honest you can't even read and understand a simple thread -_-

It's not difficult

Not to derail the thread, but a quick question if anyone can answer please regarding universal credit. I work part time minimum wage (20 hours), I'm single, so only one wage coming in, but I'm not entitled to any extra help according to an online benefits calculator.

No extra hours available currently in my job, and, as yet, I've not been able to find extra employment (not sure if it's to do with my age, mid 50's). I don't have a mortgage however, as my house is owned.

Does this sound about right me not being entitled to a top up?

Why don't they pay the same date each month? That is their fault. I get paid four weekly so obviously have the issue of two wages in my assessment period. Why don't you chat to the employer? For once it is not UC at fault especially as you had no issues before with it.

Absolutely daft that your workplace pays you on different dates. The only system that ever works is paying on the same date every month for this exact reason. Don't blame universal credit. You say yourself that you never had an issue before when you worked monthly.

my thoughts as well