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Original poster

Migration to UC

47 replies

purpleme12 · 23/08/2023 21:26

I have finally had the letter that says we need to migrate to UC.
☹️
So I guess that's 5 weeks coming up with less money either way.
Have to apply by November.
What is the best day/date to apply?
I remember reading something about dates of payment ages ago.I may have got that wrong.
Is there anything I should know?
Can anyone tell me what the process is like/what happens?
I work part time but am on more than minimum wage when my bonus is taken into account (get bonus most/all months) so I don't BELIEVE I'll be expected to look for more work? Although please correct me if I'm wrong. I have a child and own a house.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 23/08/2023 21:29

Apply a week either way of your payday.
It's roughly a five week wait but you can take an advance payment to tide you over.
It's not really hours of working but more the amount you earn. How old is your child ?
It's usually a simple process for most.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 23/08/2023 21:35

She's 9.
Do I just apply for UC online but I'll automatically get the transitional protection then cos I'm on tax credits?
(I have no idea if I'll be worse or better off on UC)
Ok so I should apply up to 7 days before or up to 7 days after when I'm paid?

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 23/08/2023 21:41

You will only get transitional protection if UC is less than what you are getting on tax credits.
Yes just apply online.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 23/08/2023 21:46

Ok perhaps I should wait till the wage I get in September from work and then apply. Maybe that would be best. I'm guessing then I'd still get universal credit payment before Christmas.
I'm a bit worried about all this

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 23/08/2023 21:48

Worried I'll get way less on it

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 23/08/2023 21:51

You won't get less as you'll have the transitional protection.
Your first Uc payments assuming all ID checks etc are complete is paid one calendar month and seven days after you apply online and then monthly after that. So if you applied today your assessment period would be 23rd-22nd each month with payment on 30th of each month. Assessment period would always stay as 23-22. So if you applied on the last day of september then first payment would be around 5th october and you would have 2 more monthly payments before Xmas.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 28/08/2023 13:04

What about at Christmas when I get paid end of November, then just before Christmas, then end of January?
Is this the kind of thing that people say messes up universal credit?

OP posts:
caerdydd12 · 28/08/2023 13:12

purpleme12 · 28/08/2023 13:04

What about at Christmas when I get paid end of November, then just before Christmas, then end of January?
Is this the kind of thing that people say messes up universal credit?

It can be, if employers don't run the payroll correctly. My suggestion would be to apply right in the middle of your current pay period just to mitigate any payroll errors. So if you're paid on the 30th for 1st - 30th of the month I'd apply around 15th for example. No chance then of your December pay being reported at an earlier date than normal and potentially causing issues.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 28/08/2023 23:42

Oh right ok so I'm best to start my application in the middle of the month then?

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 29/08/2023 06:43

@purpleme12 so many factors can affect the best time to claim.

If you're paid on the same day every month it's best to avoid a situation where your Assessment Period ends a few days before that day. If your pay day is the last working day then that can be anything from the 28th to 31st but as early as 26th if 28th Feb is a Sunday. AIUI there is now a facility to untangle two salaries in one AP due to banking day shift but it's a ballache folks can do without.

If Tax Credits are paid weekly there's not much mileage but if they're 4-weekly claim as soon as they're paid - but not if that's going to contradict above.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 29/08/2023 08:07

Oh.
I've no idea what to do then

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 29/08/2023 08:11

The last post really confused me to be honest.

OP posts:
Tumbleweed101 · 29/08/2023 19:50

I'm in same boat. I get paid last day of the month, have to apply by end of Oct.

I'm thinking of applying a week before my rent is due (18th) so that the five week wait ends a day or so before my rent. That way I can manage the other bills on my wage, get the UC a few days before rent where the bulk of the UC will be used and then if any is left it will go towards the other bills etc and it'll only be two weeks or so before the next pay day.

Tumbleweed101 · 29/08/2023 19:52

So I'll likely apply either 11/12th of sept or Oct (depending on if my daughter passes her driving test this week and I need to have the TC weekly for another few weeks).

Decideforme · 29/08/2023 19:58

DH gets paid on the last working day of the month. That means he can be paid as early as the 25th or as late as the 31st. To avoid any issues, we applied for UC on the 8th of the month, meaning that we get our UC on the 14th of the month. It also means that it makes no difference when DH is paid because our assessment period is well away from his pay dates, no matter how the month falls.

Bear in mind that tax credits stop immediately when you apply, so if you're paid weekly, it's best to apply the day after your tax credits payment, and if 4 weekly, then directly after a tax credits payment.

You should be allowed an advance to tide you over, which can be paid back over 2 years, interest free.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 29/08/2023 20:05

My tax credits are 4 weekly.

OP posts:
Hellenbach · 31/08/2023 19:46

Help! I got the letter! I'm self-employed and work in education.
Sometimes I get no pay (school holidays) then I might get an upfront payment for a whole term.
How will I put in monthly earnings if they are so variable? Do I need to ask to be paid monthly instead?
Also I'm used to tax credits and lots of my expenses are annual one off payments. Should I average out my expenses and estimate each month?
I phoned the number on the migration letter and was told I'll get the transitional protection for a year but I'm worried that with my fluctuating income I'll get differing amounts each month?
It was all so straightforward before with the annual assessment. I'm really stressed.

Babyroobs · 31/08/2023 21:53

Hellenbach · 31/08/2023 19:46

Help! I got the letter! I'm self-employed and work in education.
Sometimes I get no pay (school holidays) then I might get an upfront payment for a whole term.
How will I put in monthly earnings if they are so variable? Do I need to ask to be paid monthly instead?
Also I'm used to tax credits and lots of my expenses are annual one off payments. Should I average out my expenses and estimate each month?
I phoned the number on the migration letter and was told I'll get the transitional protection for a year but I'm worried that with my fluctuating income I'll get differing amounts each month?
It was all so straightforward before with the annual assessment. I'm really stressed.

If you report different amounts of profit each month then you will get different amounts of Uc paid. I guess it would be better to be paid a regular amount because if you have months where you report little or no pay you are likely to be hauled into the job centre for appointments with a work coach to ask you to look for more hours etc if you don't meet the earnings threshold.

Babyroobs · 31/08/2023 21:56

Hellenbach · 31/08/2023 19:46

Help! I got the letter! I'm self-employed and work in education.
Sometimes I get no pay (school holidays) then I might get an upfront payment for a whole term.
How will I put in monthly earnings if they are so variable? Do I need to ask to be paid monthly instead?
Also I'm used to tax credits and lots of my expenses are annual one off payments. Should I average out my expenses and estimate each month?
I phoned the number on the migration letter and was told I'll get the transitional protection for a year but I'm worried that with my fluctuating income I'll get differing amounts each month?
It was all so straightforward before with the annual assessment. I'm really stressed.

self employment can be really tricky on UC. I guess you will need an appointment with an adviser to go through the best way to report earnings and expenses. the problem will be if you get paid a large amount one month it could be treated as ' surplus earnings' so some carried over to the next month or as above if reported earnings are little or nothing it will look like you've not been working.

Hellenbach · 31/08/2023 23:15

Thanks so much for your reply. Do I request an appointment with an advisor?
Will this delay the process of setting up UC?
I've been told I won't get less money than I did on TC because of the transitional period but with a variable income I'm worried it will be unpredictable.
Final question - is it acceptable to add all my annual outgoings together, divide by 12 and put this figure in each month?

Original poster
purpleme12 · 31/08/2023 23:24

Is it best to apply in the middle of the month because of December pay being earlier?
Or maybe a week after my pay date, rather than a week before?

OP posts:
BronnauMawrion · 31/08/2023 23:26

When you report as being self Employed on UC you will be booked a Gateway appointment that will check if you are "gainfully employed". You must attend this appointment as it is a payment blocker.

Hellenbach · 31/08/2023 23:39

BronnauMawrion · 31/08/2023 23:26

When you report as being self Employed on UC you will be booked a Gateway appointment that will check if you are "gainfully employed". You must attend this appointment as it is a payment blocker.

Thanks

Original poster
purpleme12 · 01/09/2023 19:08

I guess I'll hope for the best then

OP posts:
Hellenbach · 02/09/2023 09:47

purpleme12 · 01/09/2023 19:08

I guess I'll hope for the best then

This really confuses me too. No idea when to apply. I think I'll call them on Monday.