Can anyone help with universal credit?

[31weeksgone]

Ok,

So I'm seperating from partner, walking away with nothing. Have a 1 year old.

Have found lovely house could potentially rent for £800pcm then tax/bills etc.

Have put in my 22 job hours into online calculator and I am entitled to universal credit to help with rent costs etc. So I can afford this flat.

Perfect.

My question is this: - Because I've started a new job, this month I've worked crazy amounts of hours and will be getting paid something like 5 times the amount I usually would. Do I claim UC now whilst I have technically worked something like 80 hours this month, or I do I claim for the 22 hours I will be working every single month from now on?

I don't want to have to do 2 separate claims just because one month is going to mess everything up 😩 I would just wait until after this month has been paid BUT it's paid a month in leiu so I won't be paid these extra hours until end of September and then normal pay commences end of October. But if I claim for whilst I've got this one off big payment (and it's only £600!) I wouldn't be entitled to everything I will be when I only earn and work the small amount.

Does this make sense to anyone? Does anyone know how this works?

I tried calling them to ask them but didn't get much help

Also, how do I try to afford a deposit whilst I have nothing?! Would the council help?

I've never been in this situation, I have no money saved, he had it all and we weren't married. I've always paid my taxes in hard working job. Please no hate

Just bumping this for traffic maybe. Thanks if anyone actually gets to the end, sorry it was so long.

I'm no expert, ok?

If I were you I'd put in for 22x11 + 1x80 / 12 = 27 hrs rounded up.

I'd ask the Council for help with deposit schemes - if not directly, then signposting.

I'd ask job if they have an advance scheme, for things like first month's housing costs, travel costs etc and use it.

I'd tell ex to stump up for deposit.

I'd apply for child support from CMS.

I'd borrow money from family, paid back after six weeks by above ^^ plus wages.

Good luck

Thank you

Bump your thread again tomorrow, though, and see what others suggest. I'm no expert in UC.

Anyone else? X

I think the point of Universal credit is that it updates your income monthly and pays you accordingly. So if you have a low income month where you don't earn much you will get more Uc then if you earn less the next month you get more. It will hopefully put an end to the huge problem of underpayments which are seen with tax credits which are based on annual earnings.

To answer your other question, some councils will loan you a deposit and first months rent which you pay back gradually.

The trouble with the DWP is that you sometimes get different answers from different people or sometimes no proper answer at all.. I would just put your contracted hours on the form. And if there's a section that mentions overtime then you could put them there as a one off. If they ask for pay slips then put a note with the particular one that is higher to say it was a one off. Not sure about a loan for a deposit.

If you're on PAYE the amount you are paid each month will be automatically synched with your UC claim, which will then be adjusted accordingly.

From the date you claim there is a 7 day waiting period, during which you are entitled to nothing. Then, the following month is your first 'assessment period'. Your first UC payment will be made a week after the end of the first assessment period and will be based on your income during that period.

E.G:

18/08/17 - you claim UC
18 - 25/08/17 - 7 days wait
26/08/17 - 25/09/17 - first assessment period
03/10/17 - first payment based on earnings in first assessment period
26/09/17 - 25/10/17 - second assessment period
01/11/17 - second payment based on earnings in second assessment period
...

If your earnings in a particular month take you over the limit for receiving any UC your claim won't be closed, as long as there is less than 6 months break.

As you can see there is around a 6 week wait from first claim to first payment. If this will cause hardship you can ask for an advance payment. This is a loan that is paid back via deductions from future UC payments.

Check how much local housing allowance is in your area. You might have to find a big chunk of the rent yourself. Also because UC is paid in arrears you'll need to find rent upfront as well as deposit. Your local authority might help with a discretionary housing payment - but note the word 'discretionary'.

Council Tax Reduction is not replaced by UC so it's worth finding out if you would be eligible for that separately. Again, through your LA.

And definitely go for child maintenance. It's not counted as income for UC purposes.

Of course all this is how it's supposed to work. UC is a giant mess that is beset with teething issues that are causing hardship to lots of people.

Good luck!

Thank you SO much, that's so much help x

Possibly daft question - have you checked that UC is fully rolled out in your area? You can put your postcode in here if you're not sure. If you're not in a full service area it would be old style benefits - tax credits and housing benefit. If you're already on tax credits tell them your circumstances have changed asap.

It already is rolled out here thank you, I've never claimed anything in my life before so had no idea about what to do, but we'll get there, thank you.