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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

UC entitlement

37 replies

user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:24

Sorry not really AIBU but really need help with a UC calculation. I know there's calculators online but I don't know how accurate these are and I want to know before I make the claim. I've never claimed anything before so it's really overwhelming me and I don't know where to start. Is there anybody here who would help me? My circumstances are below:

Couple over 25 with 1 child who receives middle rate DLA, no mobility element as under 5.
Partner works & earns £21k.
Rent £800
No savings/any other capital

Please advice needed

OP posts:
MansfieldLark · 28/08/2023 09:29

Entitled to. Co.uk is very accurate

whatdidshedotogetahillnamedafterher · 28/08/2023 09:30

Hi ..the online calculators are usually very good. The Entitled to one offers a universal credit calculator which I found accurate to within a few pounds. I do understand its daunting though .Maybe try that one,Submit your circumstances and see what it comes up with. Sorry I cant help anymore but try that.Best Wishes x

Densol57 · 28/08/2023 09:35

Yes - I can tell easily that you would get some UC.
I find “turn to us” more user friendly but they are both VERY accurate

You would get :-
family element
child element

  • disabled child element carers element ( addition to carers allowance ) rent paid

All on a sliding scale with income taken into account

plus DLA - note - mobility claim is available from age 3

carers allowance for you if eligible

child benefit

hope this helps x

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:38

I understand it can take 5 weeks to receive a payment. This is a long time though with no income, what are people supposed to do in that instance? I have no savings to cover the bills before the payment comes?

OP posts:
WitsHaveEnded · 28/08/2023 09:40

user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:38

I understand it can take 5 weeks to receive a payment. This is a long time though with no income, what are people supposed to do in that instance? I have no savings to cover the bills before the payment comes?

You can apply for an advance payment, which will then be deducted from your entitlement each month until it's paid off

Roosmarjin · 28/08/2023 09:41

They will only pay your eligible rent (LHA) so if your eligible rent was £600, that's the maximum they'd pay and you'd need to make up the shortfall.

The current rates can be found on your local council website.

idsisatwat · 28/08/2023 09:42

When you apply for UC, make sure you put that you’re a carer. Otherwise you won’t be entitled to the carers element.
As a pp stated, you can also claim Carer’s Allowance (this will be deducted from your UC, but you would still need to explicitly state you’re a cared on the UC application)
Entitled to is really accurate.

Testina · 28/08/2023 09:45

user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:38

I understand it can take 5 weeks to receive a payment. This is a long time though with no income, what are people supposed to do in that instance? I have no savings to cover the bills before the payment comes?

Are you on Tax Credits now?
What are you losing in the 5 week wait?
Anyway, you can get an advance.

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:49

No I've never claimed any benefits before, I currently work full time but circumstances mean I have to give up work to care for my son

OP posts:
Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:51

Is carers allowance paid with UC or is that a separate payment?

OP posts:
WitsHaveEnded · 28/08/2023 09:58

user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:51

Is carers allowance paid with UC or is that a separate payment?

Paid separately but will be deducted from your UC award. You should get a Carers Element and Disabled Child Element included in your award though which will offset the deduction.

Google "entitledto calculator" and put all of your details in, it needs things like your postcode to work out your rent award and any council tax support you may be entitled to etc.

Densol57 · 28/08/2023 09:58

user26758 · 28/08/2023 09:51

Is carers allowance paid with UC or is that a separate payment?

Carers allowance - separate place to claim and QUICK to process too

carers element with uc claim

Bingbangboo64 · 28/08/2023 09:59

Just apply for it abd find out?

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 10:07

It's the notice period at my work which is bothering me. I work my notice, finish work and then what? Will there be some period of time where I have no money coming in until the UC is awarded?

OP posts:
Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 10:11

Do the calculator now. You may find that even being paid you are entitled to a small amount of UC. For reference I take home £2.2k a month and get UC. Hmrc reports to UC your take home pay and if it goes down UC goes up.

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 10:17

@Pleaseme are you a single person though?

OP posts:
Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 10:38

Yup

Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 10:47

However I’ve known couples with decent take homes be entitled depending on circumstances. If you have relatively high entitlements then you need to take home a lot to wipe those out. If your entitlement is 2k for example couple, child, uplift due to disability, rent etc Then you need to take home about £4k to wipe it out.

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 11:07

Just did the entitledto calculator with our current salaries and just discovered we are entitled to a small amount which I am surprised about!

So if I do decide to stop working in the future, will UC automatically adjust the payments to take that into account?

OP posts:
Elleherd · 28/08/2023 11:19

If you think you may be dependant on CA to bridge the gap, please speak to them before assuming. It may be different as it's your own child, but they've told me a week ago a potential carer for a disabled adult may have to wait up to six weeks for money to come through but they should start work anyway and use food banks etc. (Unsurprisingly the applicant declined the work.)

Pleaseme · 28/08/2023 11:26

user26758 · 28/08/2023 11:07

Just did the entitledto calculator with our current salaries and just discovered we are entitled to a small amount which I am surprised about!

So if I do decide to stop working in the future, will UC automatically adjust the payments to take that into account?

Yes, HMRC will inform them of your income over the payment period and it can go up or down. You hear a lot of complaints about UC but I’ve found it really straightforward, it was set up two years ago, I have no commitments beyond informing them of changes, they don’t get in touch ever, they do pay me as per calculation on time every month. Hopefully you have the same experience.

Babyroobs · 28/08/2023 11:35

If you tell me the local housing allowance ( if you are private renting ) and your partner net earnings assuming he is paid monthly then I can do the calculation for you. Also need to know whether your child was born before April 2017 or after.

Original poster
user26758 · 28/08/2023 12:51

@Babyroobs our LHA is £110.47 according to the rates on the website, my partner earns around £1521 after tax a month (£1833 before tax) and our dc was born in 2019

OP posts:
HumourReplacementTherapy · 28/08/2023 12:59

Don't forget that while you wait for it to be processed you will have your last months wages to live off. UC is paid in arrears not in advance just like wages are.
If it doesn't work out or there's a gap you can ask for an advance.

Beezknees · 28/08/2023 12:59

The calculators are very accurate usually. I work and claim UC and the calculators have been spot on.