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Original poster

Universal credit migration letter

13 replies

Pollypol · 24/05/2024 16:11

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help or going through similar…

I’ve just received a migration notice to move onto universal credit from tax credits.. I’m currently self employed and a good month is around £550 for me, I suffer with severe anxiety and depression and I’m absolutely dreading have to move onto universal credit and have to attend weekly appointments, I’ve heard so many horror stories about it. Has anyone moved on to universal credit and can share the process with being self employed?

OP posts:
Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 09/06/2024 21:02

My oh is the same The threshold is higher than he and you earn (can’t remember exactly) so he has been told he will have to commit to finding work elsewhere if he wants to be eligible for UC. He has been called to a meeting to discuss finding work. I think they work out how many hours your income from self employment equates to on minimum wage and then you have to find work to make that up to 37 hours. Another penalty for small business owners. He has never worked for anyone else but covid hit his business hard. He has terrible anxiety and this is destroying his mental health. He will struggle to attend the meeting. I think we will have to go down the unfit to work route which I think our gp will support. Bonkers really.

onemorerose · 09/06/2024 21:05

What does that mean about bringing up to 37 hours? Thanks

ItStartedLastWeek · 09/06/2024 21:17

Dp is in the same situation. He works way over full time hours, but just isn't earning enough. He suffers with anxiety and other mental health issues and this s/e business was a good way to keep him busy and feel useful. We need to apply for UC soon and I fear this will mean the end of his self employment.

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wetpebbles · 09/06/2024 21:22

UC would expect you to earn over the minimum income floor which is national wage x 35hrs a week, however a quick google tells me it is disregarded for 12 months after migration so you should be ok for that 12 months

Original poster
Pollypol · 10/06/2024 09:45

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 09/06/2024 21:02

My oh is the same The threshold is higher than he and you earn (can’t remember exactly) so he has been told he will have to commit to finding work elsewhere if he wants to be eligible for UC. He has been called to a meeting to discuss finding work. I think they work out how many hours your income from self employment equates to on minimum wage and then you have to find work to make that up to 37 hours. Another penalty for small business owners. He has never worked for anyone else but covid hit his business hard. He has terrible anxiety and this is destroying his mental health. He will struggle to attend the meeting. I think we will have to go down the unfit to work route which I think our gp will support. Bonkers really.

Do you think I should get a doctors note before applying? Should I tell them about my struggles? (Not that they’ll care) it’s literally taking over my life. Doing nothing but worrying about it. I have a partner who I’m planning on moving in with and he gets a good wage around £2300 but I don’t think I’ll be entitled to anything will I? I also have a son so if I move in with my partner will I be entitled to anything for him?

OP posts:
SwankyPants · 10/06/2024 09:48

Be prepared they will want to see your accounts and go through everything.

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 10/06/2024 09:59

If you're a single parent or if you have a health condition that impacts the number of hours you can work then they lower the minimum income floor to reflect that.

Mine is based on the assumption that as a single parent of a school age child I should be able to work 30 hours per week. It will mean I have to bring in something like £1500pcm or be close to that most months in order to not trigger UC to insist that I look for work elsewhere. My income generally works out around £1200pcm so I'm working on increasing my productivity and have upped what I charge.

You have a year's grace after migration to reach the agreed income.

My understanding is that if you declare your health condition I think you will need a GP letter to back this up and then your work coach should work with you to establish how many hours a week you can reasonably work. You will then be committing to earning at least minimum wage for that number of hours.

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 10/06/2024 10:00

SwankyPants · 10/06/2024 09:48

Be prepared they will want to see your accounts and go through everything.

I think this makes it sound scarier than it is. When I had my meeting I took all the requested paper work and it was glanced at for less than 2 minutes. They were basically checking that my business account had money coming into it.

SwankyPants · 10/06/2024 10:06

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 10/06/2024 10:00

I think this makes it sound scarier than it is. When I had my meeting I took all the requested paper work and it was glanced at for less than 2 minutes. They were basically checking that my business account had money coming into it.

Show quote history

Oh thats not so bad is it. It put us off claiming and now we have to pay back the TC we were given 😭
Not that we have anything to hide I hasten to add 😆

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 10/06/2024 10:14

I really was pleasantly surprised by how sensible and straightforward the whole thing was. I nearly didn't bother to claim as it is made out to be an utter nightmare but honestly it all seemed very reasonable to me once I got into the meeting.

My personal finances weren't looked at at all, just a brief check to see that I do have regular self employed income

Sunshineonasameyday · 10/06/2024 10:38

You will be expected to take on a job because self employment isn't working for you.

Original poster
Pollypol · 10/06/2024 11:07

Sunshineonasameyday · 10/06/2024 10:38

You will be expected to take on a job because self employment isn't working for you.

I wouldn’t say it’s not working for me. I don’t know anybody that would turn £500-£600 a month down do you?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pollypol · 10/06/2024 11:08

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 10/06/2024 09:59

If you're a single parent or if you have a health condition that impacts the number of hours you can work then they lower the minimum income floor to reflect that.

Mine is based on the assumption that as a single parent of a school age child I should be able to work 30 hours per week. It will mean I have to bring in something like £1500pcm or be close to that most months in order to not trigger UC to insist that I look for work elsewhere. My income generally works out around £1200pcm so I'm working on increasing my productivity and have upped what I charge.

You have a year's grace after migration to reach the agreed income.

My understanding is that if you declare your health condition I think you will need a GP letter to back this up and then your work coach should work with you to establish how many hours a week you can reasonably work. You will then be committing to earning at least minimum wage for that number of hours.

I’ve been registered at the doctors since I was 12 with mental health issues, I’m now 31. I’ve heard the grace period is only if they think you’re gainfully self employed? If not then you have to look for other work immediately?

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