Universal credit

[becca1984]

I was working 35 hours a week and have taken on a second job on a bank worker basis so reported this change to tax credits who informed me my claim would stop and I have to make a claim for universal credit. I’ve applied for universal credit and have an appointment tomorrow with a work coach, I have no idea why as I have 2 jobs could anyone shed any light on this please. I’ve been told to take forms of id with me hoping this is a one off appointment as juggling 2 jobs and being a single mum of one I don’t have a lot of spare time as it is. Thanks for any help.

I think it’s bullshit, I am so much worse off. I got overtime & bonus in my wages - UC then worked out I was entitled to £0 that month because I had earned too much in the 4 week period despite having to pay out for childcare.

Being discussed on Jeremy Vine right now. Not a single good thing to say about it.

Fucking ridiculous. EVERY SINGLE PERSON is FAR worse off. Far worse off. That's a pile of wank. And costing more than the old system but it was never meant to reform, save money and make things better, it was always designed to punish the poor, the working poor, the disabled and the disadvantaged.

And this 'David' medic fella on the panel is a complete and utter wanker.

I moved house recently (early November) in a UC full service area and I didn't get moved on to it. I was just wondering whether it's likely to have been the OPs variable hours that triggered that loophole? I am doing everything I can to avoid being moved to UC because I will be destitute if I am, due to the assumed earnings cap for self employed people. My income would more than halve and I would be starving.

moving house would only trigger a switch to Uc if you were making a new claim for housing benefit in a different local authority that was full service UC.

A mate just completed the standard letter people on JSA are sent to ask if they have any changes over the year. He said no. He has since received a text from the DWP saying they have received his statement and are 'making a decision about his claim'. Does this mean he could be forced onto UC? How? There's been no change. Babyroobs, could this person be forced onto UC with no change in circumstance? Should he make an appointment with CAB?

So if you have a child on dla and it stops, does that stop your tax credits? Surely youd just lose the disabled element?

He is also on DLA still, if that helps.

Yes, 70, as I understand that is a change in circumstances.

I can't believe they are allowed to do this to people.

I thought it was only switched over when legacy benefits needed to be reclaimed eg housing benefit or income support

No because tax credits have a disability element built into them so if that changes . . .

VERY worrying. This friend of mine is really panicking now as he's never received a response to this standard procedure, much less that they will 'inform him of their decision', wtaf? There has been NO change at all. He got asked that at the JobCentre last week, too.

They are trying to force people onto UC.

70s I agree, I don't think that a child losing their DLA would trigger a move to UC. The change of circumstance wouldn't have led to a claim for a new legacy benefit under the old system, and that is the relevant trigger.

If you lost carers and needed income based benefit eg jobseekers, IS then that would move you over. For tax credits im sure its only when stopping and starting new claims eg new partner moving in, child leaves home, etc.

Losing the disabled child element of TC will not trigger a move to UC. Needing to claim a new income based benefit will trigger a change.

Plump, your friend should not be moved to UC as there has been no change in his circumstances (assuming he is already receiving IB JSA).

Phew. My autistic child is on renewal, and think they could lose it this time.

A child losing their DLA could trigger a change if the parent was claiming carers allowance and claiming Income support alongside that ( if for example the parent was a lone parent). Losing the carers allowance and therefore the entitlement to income support would mean the parent had to then make a new claim for JSA and that would trigger having to apply for UC .

Sorry just saw that baubles already answered , crossed post.

Thanks Baby. In the case that they are still eligible for CTC however, is it not the case that they can choose to stay on tax credits only and refrain from claiming UC? If someone can do that and afford it (if they already claim housing benefit for instance) then they don't HAVE to claim UC.
I would seek advice before EVER putting in a claim. Ensure you have everything written down with evidence before putting a claim in, as once that's done there's no turning back.
Of course they say everyone is going on it eventually and that is the case, but everyone I've spoken, including jobcentre staff, say to stay as you are for as long as possible, and change absolutely nothing.
People are frozen in fear. Those who would have gone to work and given it a go, as single parents, having the safety net to fall back on, are now not going to risk it. The disadvantaged will not study, or pursue careers. It would take a stupid person to risk all their security just to go to work or study. Better just to not bother, tbh.

What happens if you change tour details using the online option.

I put my childcare costs on there every few months.

If I increased/decreased my hours online, or put in a new salary, how could they put me on UC?