Just got UC migration letter

[SummerCam73]

Hi everyone.
I have received my migration letter.
Im worried, is it an easy process? Will I be left without money for some weeks?
I get paid last friday of the month, my tax credits go in beginning or end of the month depending if 5 week month.
Ideally I would like all my money at the beginning of the month so I can budget.
I have until august to apply.
Thanks!

Same here. feeling a bit daunted by it all. Following for answers.

Universal Credit now it's bedded in works pretty well.

It's paid monthly with one single sum covering all elements; a policy decision so that it has the look and feel of salary. That means though that you will have a wait period of one month plus 7 days between application and first payment. Advances are available to tide you over that period.

Effectively you control the date it's paid as your first monthly assessment period (AP) starts the day you apply. So if you apply on the 1st of June the first AP will end on the 30th with the first payment made on around 07 July.

Being paid calendar monthly on the last Friday might mean you need to give a bit more thought to when you start the claim. Having the end of your AP close to salary day risks getting two lots of salary in one AP. That can complicate things a bit. However, if you time it so the AP ends on, say, 02 July that would be good.

If you want to talk it through with somebody the Help to Claim service provided by Citizens Advice is pretty good:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/

What legacy benefits are you on that they're migrating you?

Following as I've had mine last week and I need to make sure I've got transitional protection and at the same time I've no idea how to actually GET that

@greasypolemonkeyman transitional protection is automatic if you are moving from CTC / WTC, if you use the link to apply sent to you in the letter.

I migrated last month and 🤞🏻 it seemed pretty straightforward. I applied on 1/4 so my AP (assessment period) is 1/4 - 30/4. Got my payment notification last week and receive my 1st payment this Weds.

Transitional protection was automatically on.

The date you apply is then from your claim

So if you get paid last Fri on month the date varies

To make sure you won't get 2 pay packets in one month so no uc - make sure you start your claim beginning of month and payment will be 7 day later or so

Did you have to start from scratch with months of bank statements etc?

@ObliviousCoalmine I cannot detect any rationale for who has to produce reams of docs and jump through flaming hoops to prove their ID and those who sail seamlessly onto a regular monthly payment of UC.

@ObliviousCoalmine they just asked me to put in amounts for my current account and any savings accounts. That's not to say they won't ask me to provide them in the future. It seems to be random spot checks with providing bank statements.

I did have to go to the Job Centre to verify my ID and luckily my manager is very accommodating. It was literally a 5 minute appt at the Job Centre.

Thanks everyone.
I am paid over 12 months so will never end up with 2 wage packets in one month. The dates I get paid for instance are... 31st may, 28th june, 26th june,30th aug, 27th sept, 25th oct and so on.

I also get paid some kind of money every week
1 week tax credits
1 week housing benefit
1 week child benefit
1 week housing benefit

So Im going to have to wait a long time with no money

As long as you don't apply 25/31 you should be ok then

Plus can have an advance payment which you then pay back a little each month

If you're on Housing Benefit you'll also get a 'follow on' payment for 14 days to help tide you over the wait period.

Ah ok thank you. Does this payment come automatically?

Ok what date do you recommend? 1st to apply?

Yes or 2nd incase 31 ever gets paid a day late /bank holiday etx

Many have been caught out with 2 pay packets From what I've read in one month and as your date varies due to being last Fri of month it's not worth the risk

Or do the 14 so get uc middle of month and pay end of month

Ive been trying work it out. Apply 3rd June or 1st June? or 14th could be an option. Thank you for your help!

Welcome @SummerCam73 I don't know much about uc but from what I've read on similar threads makes
Sense to be beginning /middle of month