Page 2 | Migration to UC

purpleme12 · 2023-08-23T20:26:53+00:00

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.

Decideforme · 02/09/2023 23:48

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?

If you get paid monthly and don't mind getting money in two chunks, apply around the 8th and you'll get UC on the 14th of each month.

If you'd rather have money all at once, then apply around the 22nd of the month, so you get your money about the 28th but don't risk an early pay day causing issues.

If you get paid 4 weekly, it doesn't much matter because you'll always have 2 months where 2 pay days then end up in the same assessment period - it's a known flaw/feature of the system. It averages out in the following months, they claim.

Babyroobs · 03/09/2023 00:38

Decideforme · 02/09/2023 23:48

If you get paid monthly and don't mind getting money in two chunks, apply around the 8th and you'll get UC on the 14th of each month.

If you'd rather have money all at once, then apply around the 22nd of the month, so you get your money about the 28th but don't risk an early pay day causing issues.

If you get paid 4 weekly, it doesn't much matter because you'll always have 2 months where 2 pay days then end up in the same assessment period - it's a known flaw/feature of the system. It averages out in the following months, they claim.

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If paid four weekly there is only one month a year that 2 pay days will fall in one month. If paid four weekly you have 13 paydays and only 12 UC assessment periods.

CactusPeach · 14/09/2023 09:21

I have to switch over too, rent goes out on 18th, I get paid on 25th or last working day before that if a weekend. I get two bonuses a year, how will that affect my universal credit? On tax credits the next year would be adjusted and averaged out and I would receive the same anmount weekly, on universal credit will I receive less the month following my bonus?

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 14/09/2023 09:33

I would aim for the applying a week after your September pay OP. You want your UC payment to be a couple weeks away from your wage to avoid being paid twice in one UC month period.

eg. If you get paid your UC on the 25th and your wage on the 26th, whenever the 26th is on a Sunday or bank holiday your wage will go in on the 23/4th. This would mean you had two wage payments within the 25th-25th UC period. I think this is what can cause problems.

Starlightstarbright2 · 14/09/2023 09:45

I have got the same letter … I am on reduced payments from tax credits due to overpayment last year ..

Does anyone know how that affects UC.

also my Ds is 16 in the process of transferring to PIP .. how does that work ?

ginandtonicwithlimes · 14/09/2023 10:24

CactusPeach · 14/09/2023 09:21

I have to switch over too, rent goes out on 18th, I get paid on 25th or last working day before that if a weekend. I get two bonuses a year, how will that affect my universal credit? On tax credits the next year would be adjusted and averaged out and I would receive the same anmount weekly, on universal credit will I receive less the month following my bonus?

You will get less UC when you receive the bonuses as it is counted as earnings.

CactusPeach · 14/09/2023 15:18

I understand bonus counts as earnings, it did under tax credits too. But tax credits would adjust the next year's allowance and then average out the total given to me so it was the same amount received weekly.
Will it be the same under universal credit or do I have to report each month (rather than annually) so there's less universal credits given the following month?

Original poster

purpleme12 · 21/09/2023 17:06

So I bet paid on 28th of each month.

And get paid on 22nd of December this year

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Original poster

purpleme12 · 21/09/2023 17:12

Perhaps I should apply middle of next month

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Lougle · 21/09/2023 19:08

@purpleme12 you could apply middle month, which means you'd get your UC 22nd, or you could apply on the 20th, which means you'd get your UC on the 26th. You could even apply on the 8th, so you get your UC on the 14th, which means you get your money twice per month rather than all at the end of the month.

Babyroobs · 21/09/2023 20:31

Starlightstarbright2 · 14/09/2023 09:45

I have got the same letter … I am on reduced payments from tax credits due to overpayment last year ..

Does anyone know how that affects UC.

also my Ds is 16 in the process of transferring to PIP .. how does that work ?

They will continue to take the overpayment back from your UC, they are only allowed to take a certain amount each month, sorry i can't remember the percentage.
PIP and DLA are not part of UC, it would continue to be paid separately. the rate of PIP he is awarded will determine whether you receive the higher or lower child disability element on your Uc claim.

Babyroobs · 21/09/2023 20:32

CactusPeach · 14/09/2023 15:18

I understand bonus counts as earnings, it did under tax credits too. But tax credits would adjust the next year's allowance and then average out the total given to me so it was the same amount received weekly.
Will it be the same under universal credit or do I have to report each month (rather than annually) so there's less universal credits given the following month?

Edited

On UC a bonus would be treated the same as earnings in the assessment period it is paid in, so would reduce your Uc payment for that month.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 22/09/2023 15:57

Lougle · 21/09/2023 19:08

@purpleme12 you could apply middle month, which means you'd get your UC 22nd, or you could apply on the 20th, which means you'd get your UC on the 26th. You could even apply on the 8th, so you get your UC on the 14th, which means you get your money twice per month rather than all at the end of the month.

I think I might apply on 14th next month.
And hope for the best.
This is ok isn't it?

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Original poster

purpleme12 · 22/09/2023 15:59

Can I also ask.
I obviously on tax credits and transferring to UC next month.
What happens if tax credits end up paying me too much for this tax year?
So when my P60 or whatever it is comes out it shows I've earnt more than I said (possible as I get bonus and it's hard to say) will they still look at that and analyse it even though I'll be on UC at that point?

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Babyroobs · 22/09/2023 16:01

purpleme12 · 22/09/2023 15:59

Can I also ask.
I obviously on tax credits and transferring to UC next month.
What happens if tax credits end up paying me too much for this tax year?
So when my P60 or whatever it is comes out it shows I've earnt more than I said (possible as I get bonus and it's hard to say) will they still look at that and analyse it even though I'll be on UC at that point?

Yes it will be a tax credits overpayment but clawed back from your Uc payments.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 22/09/2023 16:13

@Babyroobs thank you do you know when they action this? I mean for example if my P60 comes out in April, will they tell me if they've overpaid me in may and adjust payments accordingly?

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Calmamongstthechaos · 25/09/2023 17:27

Just spoke to 2 different advisers at UC helpline who both said that the transitional protection payment ( to make up any shortfall for those worse off on UC than their old tax credits amount) only lasts 12 months. I had read that this transitional payment lasted indefinitely until the UC amount became in line with the TC amount? Clearly I was under wrong impression as both of them said it is "100% only for
12 months" Likewise for the disregard of savings over £16k is also for 12 months only. Does this align with what others have been told ? Thx

Original poster

purpleme12 · 25/09/2023 20:43

I've read people on here have said the traditional protection is there for 12 months.

I have a feeling mine'll be messed up if I get the transitional protection. I have a feeling by the end of this tax year I'll be overpaid tax credits cos I've had a new bonus scheme and it's impossible to know what it'll come out with.

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Babyroobs · 25/09/2023 21:53

I think the 12 month protection may just be applicable to savings, so they give you 12 months to get your savings below 16k or your Uc claim ends. However with the transitional element which means no-one is worse off in relation to their monthly payment, I think that continues until it is eroded by increases. I may be wrong and I agree it is hard to find the information online.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 25/09/2023 21:54

Oh ok interesting

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Original poster

purpleme12 · 25/09/2023 21:57

I have nowhere near £16,000 savings so we're ok on that 🤣

@Babyroobs
I think over £6000 savings get taken into account don't they?
I do not have £6000 savings in my savings account however when you add what is in my savings account and what is in my current account together I think it does come to more than £6000. So would this all count as savings??
What counts as 'savings'? Cos to me savings is what would be in your actual savings account

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Calmamongstthechaos · 26/09/2023 17:09

@Babyroobs exactly what you said about it eroding over time but I was told definitively by 2 diff advisers it's just 12 months for the top up payment !