Does a change in job count as a changed circumstance

[wondering1101]

As far as tax credits / UC are concerned?

I am doing a maternity cover job which will come to an end at the end of July 2019 and get tax credits. UC was rolled out from last month in my area - but doesn’t affect me at the moment.

I haven’t quite understood if getting a new job counts as a circumstance that would flip me over to UC? I am a single parent to 3 dc.

Also - all this stuff the government was saying about making sure that no one gets less on UC than they would have on TC - was that just talk?

If it's a change in income then yes surely you need to tell them?

Yes of course I would tell them - I was just wondering if this is the kind of change which would trigger me being kicked off TC and on to UC (like getting divorced would but luckily the divorce is already done and dusted and ex moved out in April).

I changed jobs in August and wasn't moved over to UC. My area has been UC for over a year. My income went up though so obviously my tax credits reduced.

A new job does not trigger a change to UC.

The govt only guarantee your income on UC will not fall from TC levels if the transfer is not prompted by a change in circumstances. Managed migrations (where there is not a change in circumstances) will start at some point in the next few years, but not yet. If the transfer is due to a change in circumstances, there is no transitional protection.

Thanks - that’s reassuring. One less thing to worry about (for the moment).

Currently as you have 3 children you won't be moved over to UC anyway op.

Thanks bigmouthstrikesagain - the eldest is in Year 12, which gives me a year a half to work out how to up my income from the 21K I get paid at the moment, to something which will start to compensate for my gradually reducing TC, CM (minimal) and CB - my dc are 12, 14 and 17 currently.

a year and a half

You have 3 children so will stay on the old benefit systems for now.