UC while on Mat leave

[Cariad2020]

Hey guys,

Hoping someone could help. I'm due to give birth in a matter of weeks, I've started my maternity leave and I'm in the 6 weeks of 90% earnings period so I won't qualify for UC as of yet.

On the 16th March it drops to 148.68 per week which I then qualify for Universal Credit.. I only get £400 from UC (did a benefit check) as my home is mortgaged so I won't receive any help for that. When is the best time to apply for UC? Is it when I receive my birth certificate so I get child element or is it worth setting up the claim before baby is here but wait until I drop to £148 a week?

I'm going to be a single mother due to husband leaving while pregnant so I need to make sure I get the timing spot on so my mortgage and bills etc are paid on time!

Many thanks in advance X

You need to wait until you know you are going to be entitled to some Uc otherwise if you get a zero award they may just close your claim down.

UC is calculated based on pay recd within a monthly assessment period this period starts the day you apply. So you need to work out what will be the first month (assuming you are paid monthly) where you will qualify and then apply for UC the day after the PREVIOUS month's pay is normally paid. So for example, assuming you are paid on the 25th of the month.

You know that your pay will fall enough for you to qualify for UC on the 25th March. You should therefore apply on the 26th Feb. Your assessment period will run from the 26th to 25th of each month so your pay recd on 25/03 will be included in the first UC calculation and you should receive your first month's UC on 1st April.

Note that you should apply the day after the date you are NORMALLY paid not the date you were actually paid.

So for example if you were paid on Friday 23rd January but you are normally paid on the 25th of each month, then you should apply for UC on the 26th NOT 24th.

Hope that makes sense!