Universal credit

[Kitkat05]

Hi everyone,

I'm asking for a friend. She works 16 hours and so does her husband - work 16 hours. Minimum wage. They are struggle a bit.

Can they claim Universa credit?

She asked me and I have no idea :/ did google but very confused.

Would be grateful for any replies.

Thank you

Do they have children? Do they own their home or rent? Is there any reason they can't work full time?

They can probably claim but depending on their circumstances they will need to look for full time work as a requirement.

Probably. But why doesn’t she just go online and do it?

@Waxonwaxoff0 thank you for the reply.

They own their own home. Mortgage? Can they still apply? And have two children

@CatFaceCats that is what i said to her too..

They get a higher work allowance if they own their own home. You can work out entitlement on the Facebook group Universal credit essentials.

Do they get tax credits though? Because you can’t claim both.

She needs to go on to the 'entitled to' website and input their details as its complex and factors in many things.
This will give them an idea of what if anything they are entitled to. It won't pay towards a mortgage but I'm sure they can help with the interest on it.
In the meantime one or both of them should look for more hours elsewhere.

They will be able to claim something but they won't get any help with housing costs. It's also likely that at least one of them will be expected to look for more hours as a condition of them receiving UC.

Why isn’t she asking universal credit this? is she unable to use a computer or phone herself?

Wouldn't it just be easier if She asked UC or googled a Uc calculator herself? Does she normally ask you for every financial move she needs to make, you find out then you tell her and then she does it? How did she manage to get a job or buy a house? Seems rather long winded......

OP, Citizens Advice offer a helpline re initial claims; see link
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/

There's calculators online, they will be expected to look for full time work, with certain exemptions that one parent can stay home until youngest is 5, pt until 12 I think. The state doesn't hand out benefits so people can work less hours unless there's mitigating factors. If they receive tax credits they won't get uc

@AldiAisleofCrap @AvoidingRealHumans @Waxonwaxoff0 @Travellor thank you for the replies. Will let her know.

Yes I did in April. I work 16 hours a week m/w. My DP is full time not m/w. We have a mortgage and 1 DC. I just applied online and they got in contact with me. I also claim pip though as I have mental health issues so mine might be different circumstances I’m not sure

There's calculators online, they will be expected to look for full time work, with certain exemptions that one parent can stay home until youngest is 5, pt until 12 I think. The state doesn't hand out benefits so people can work less hours unless there's mitigating factors. If they receive tax credits they won't get uc
That’s incorrect they are earning way above the conditionality for a couple. They will not need to look for more hours. @minnieok

@minnieok
Sorry to disappoint you.

• Earning less than your earnings threshold

If you are working but are earning less than your earnings threshold, you might be expected to do some activities at the Jobcentre. As long as you are earning more than £343 per month (if you are single) or £549 per month joint income (if you are a member of a couple), you won’t be expected to look for work or be available for work. However, you might be asked to take part in activities to increase your chances of getting a job.

If you are working but are earning less than £343 per month (if you are single) or £549 per month joint income (if you are a member of a couple), you will be expected to look for more work and be available for work.

Anyone can make a claim for UC regardless of circumstances. Claims are only fraudulent if incorrect circumstances are declared such as non existent children or rent.

Depending on circumstances and incone they may or may not actually get a payment.

[quote AldiAisleofCrap]@minnieok
Sorry to disappoint you.

• Earning less than your earnings threshold

If you are working but are earning less than your earnings threshold, you might be expected to do some activities at the Jobcentre. As long as you are earning more than £343 per month (if you are single) or £549 per month joint income (if you are a member of a couple), you won’t be expected to look for work or be available for work. However, you might be asked to take part in activities to increase your chances of getting a job.

If you are working but are earning less than £343 per month (if you are single) or £549 per month joint income (if you are a member of a couple), you will be expected to look for more work and be available for work.[/quote]
Hi, where can I find this info online please?

@trevorandsimon here:
www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Claimant-Commitment-Conditionality

[quote AldiAisleofCrap]@trevorandsimon here:
www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Claimant-Commitment-Conditionality[/quote]
Thank you :)

Have neither of them considered working more?

I'd warn your friend that applying for Universal Credit is an absolute pain in the arse, and if successful, she'll need to supply all sorts of paperwork & attend a LOT of appointments. I can't advise what she would be entitled to, but tbh, if she can't be arsed to even look into it herself, I'd expect she won't bother with all the hassle of it. It's not a fun thing to go through. That said, once it is set up, it's worked perfectly for me. But it was utterly horrendous for nearly a year, and nearly destroyed me.