Please can someone explain rules about universal credit and zero hour contracts?

[listsandbudgets]

In terms that I understand because I'm really confused. I'm fortunate enough never to have needed to claim universal credit and the rules are clear as mud to me.

We've got some Ukrainian refugees with us. They have a universal credit claim open but not yet received a payment. A few days ago, they found jobs but its zero hours with rota given at the start of every week so unpredictable.

I know that they can keep the claims open and receive top ups if necessary which seems sensible with such variable hours but beyond that I'm a bit lost. Please can someone who has actually been in this situation please tell me

1. Do they have to continue visiting Job Centre every week and what happens if they're meant to be working at the time of the appointment especially at short notice?
2. Do they need to report their earnings or does the system pick it up through PAYE?
3. If they need to report them - how and when?
4. Do they have to carry on job hunting?

Please help, I'm so confused and I don't want to give them the wrong advice.

Universal credit will automatically get details of their wages through PAYE.

Most appointments are done online. Working is a valid reason to miss an appointment, just need to let them know using the online portal.

Depending on their average hours and their claimant commitment they may still be asked to look for work.

Thank you very much, I will try to explain to them. Unfortunately, the job centre seem to delight in hauling them in every time rather than doing it online and of course it's a train ride away so costs them me every time to get there.

They're going to be cross - they hate going to the job centre