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AIBU?

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Original poster

Universal Credit won't be paid in months with 5 weeks. (WTF?) AIBU to think no one realises

999 replies

raisinsarenottheonlyfruit · 22/10/2017 01:41

If you get paid weekly, and there are 5 weeks in a month, in those months your pay will likely go over the Universal Credit limit and your UC will be stopped. You will have to go without that month and apply again.

WTF are they thinking?

Have they never heard of averages FFS? (That's how Tax Credits works). This is going to screw over so many people. It's ludricous.

The people claiming UC aren't any richer that month, they get the same amount of money as if it was paid in 12 monthly chunks.

This will happen to thousands of people every time there's a month with 5 weeks. (I guess they mean 5 Mondays?)

This is farcical.

There's 5 weeks in January, so if you get paid weekly that's you fucked for February.

April, July, October and December also have 5 Mondays.

This is utterly farcical and just plain callous.

OP posts:
Original poster
raisinsarenottheonlyfruit · 22/10/2017 01:45

It sounds like nonsense doesn't it? A script from a political farce. But no, it's actually what's happening. Here's what the Govenment say:

If you’re paid weekly

If you’re paid weekly by your employer, you will get either 4 or 5 payments of earnings within a Universal Credit assessment period. Depending on the amount you get paid this may affect your Universal Credit.

*When you have 5 weekly earnings payments within an assessment period, your income may be too high to qualify for Universal Credit in that month.

If this happens you will be notified that your income is too high and you will no longer get Universal Credit.*

You can re-apply the following month as you should only get 4 wage payments in your assessment period then.

You will need to be prepared for a month when you get 5 wage payments in one assessment period and budget for a potential change in your monthly Universal Credit payments.

From the document "Guidance: Universal Credit: different earning patterns and your payments (payment cycles)"

www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles#if-youre-paid-weekly

OP posts:
Original poster
raisinsarenottheonlyfruit · 22/10/2017 01:47

There's a handy picture in case you're thinking "no, they can't possibly mean that"

Universal Credit won't be paid in months with 5 weeks. (WTF?) AIBU to think no one realises
OP posts:
Original poster
raisinsarenottheonlyfruit · 22/10/2017 01:50

If you get paid fortnightly, you'll "only" lose 2 months a year.

If you get paid 4 weekly, you'll "only" lose 1 month a year.

You get the same wages overall no matter how it's paid. Why should you be left without UC for 4 fucking months a year if you get paid weekly?

Who on earth would think this is a good idea?

OP posts:
Saladd0dger · 22/10/2017 02:17

Universal credit won’t effect me but I am totally with you, it’s wrong. I know people suffering due to this. It has put them in debt. Nobody should have to live like this at all.

gluteustothemaximus · 22/10/2017 02:19

Someone who’s never been on minimum wage.

I read about this earlier, it is yet another crazy rule. There is a shit storm a brewing, and already started happening to many Sad

MyDobbygotgivenasock · 22/10/2017 02:21

I'm confused, the delay from application is 6 weeks so do they have a whole separate system of re-application for this? Or is it only first time claimants who must wait?
I'm probably being very very stupid but if it doesn't in fact need to take 6 weeks to receive your first payment then the wait is ideology driven and cruel, if it does take 6 weeks because of no staff and shit systems then people will be more than a month behind and it will be even more of a ball ache than 'just' being a month out.
I can't actually absorb this right now, I want to say something more astute than 'fucking tories' but I'm coming up blank.
I'm going to come back to this after some sleep...so they kick you when you're down and penalise you so effectively for getting back up that they keep you there.

MsVestibule · 22/10/2017 02:25

Utterly, utterly ludicrous. They even say the claimants will have to 'budget accordingly'. With what? All the 'extra' money they'll have just received?

MsVestibule · 22/10/2017 02:30

Apologies, it actually says 'budget for a potential change in your monthly Universal Credit payments'. How, though? They're not receiving any more money and will presumably be on a very tight budget as it is!

Theresnonamesleft · 22/10/2017 02:36

It’s a sham of a system.
Since it was first trialled many people have mentioned the 6 week wait for the claim to start. The 50p a minute to call them.
The 5 week months and only getting 4 weeks.
There has been many posters who have tried bringing it to the attention of others on MN only to be shouted down and at time told to get a job - not understanding what benefits fall under UC.
It’s only now it’s actually coming near you you (general) are people saying hang on a minute.

The government don’t care. They have fucked over people for years. Benefit caps. Changes to cb. Sanctions for ridiculous reasons. Changes to disability allowance. Extra room sanctions. The list is endless.

RebootYourEngine · 22/10/2017 04:25

I contacted my local mp when uc first came about. It isnt even in my area yet. My MP doesnt seem to have taken much interest in it.

I work but get tax credits and housing benefit because you know wages are shit. There is no way i could afford to go without uc for any amount of time.

WTF are this government playing at, are they really trying to get rid of poor people and just have a country filled with pompous twats like themselves.

Graphista · 22/10/2017 04:42

To those posters who seem unaware of the realities of this system

The 6 week wait is POLICY not backlog driven, Tory MP on question time said this was because its what happens when you start a job - I for one have NEVER waited that long for first pay.

Many are waiting over 6 MONTHS before they see a penny.

My local MP is one of the most vocal in being against this. But they're taking no notice of anybody.

It IS cruel but I think it's intended to be. These are propel who have NEVER experienced ANY kind of hardship, the majority are privately educated and independantly wealthy with mortgage free houses sometimes 2 or 3 they think poverty is a crime and caused by fecklessness.

One glimmer of hope is that Tory donators and employers are STARTING to see it will negatively affect them too. So they're starting to say 'hang on a min this is nuts!'

We NEED a major protest that will actually affect them and soon

NeedsAsockamnesty · 22/10/2017 04:55

That is how it works.

Also it’s interestimg how they define a child for child element.

Now a kid half way through a approved course taken at thee correct time and still meeting requirements can stop being a child a full academic year before cb or tc would say they they had.

And weekly paid NMW workers have to work more than monthly paid ones to avoid the cap

DesignedForLife · 22/10/2017 05:44

That's crazy Shock

sashh · 22/10/2017 06:39

DesignedForLife

About as crazy as checking every three years if someone's leg has grown back.

Undercoverbanana · 22/10/2017 06:51

I don't know how to help. I want to fight this horrendous treatment of people.

I have contacted my MP. I give to the food bank. I would help a friend in need.

What else can I do? This society makes me so angry. Why can't these we treat people properly and with their dignity intact?

TroelsLovesSquinkies · 22/10/2017 07:09

Bloody hell how ridiculous is this.

mathanxiety · 22/10/2017 07:12

That is downright cruel, and the patronising is an insult - 'You will need to be prepared for a month when you get 5 wage payments in one assessment period and budget for a potential change in your monthly Universal Credit payments.'

What do they imagine is the reality of people depending in Universal Credit?

It IS cruel but I think it's intended to be. These are propel who have NEVER experienced ANY kind of hardship, the majority are privately educated and independantly wealthy with mortgage free houses sometimes 2 or 3 they think poverty is a crime and caused by fecklessness.
I agree with this Graphista

It is the world of Dickens.

cordeliavorkosigan · 22/10/2017 07:22

I bet it's a deliberate and ideology driven strategy to make the phrase universal credit so unpopular that the idea of anything like true universal credit is never considered again.

Undercoverbanana · 22/10/2017 07:28

Can you imagine if they started dealing with the state pension like this! The DM would have a fucking meltdown and the Tory supporters would soon sit up and listen.

Buck3t · 22/10/2017 07:38

I don’t have to claim and have been lucky healthwise and employment wise so far, to never have claimed. However, my mum was injured at work and did have to go through Atos. People should not have to live like this. My question is what can we do? I haven’t seen any petitions so it can at least be debated. Has anyone organised protests? Is this something we can organise?

MAS7 · 22/10/2017 07:45

IT was debated in Parliament this week. The conservatives were ordered to abstain as it was thought if they did vote the majority would be against the continuing roll out of UC.

Ledkr · 22/10/2017 07:47

My ds has given up and just gone back to work still sick!
He had a kidney transplant two and a half years ago which was successful but he has many other problems.
he just couldn't fight the system any longer.

achangeisgonnacome · 22/10/2017 07:50

I hope I never ever ever have to apply for UC ....

AlbusPercival · 22/10/2017 07:52

This is horrendous!

What can I do about it?