How much UC if looking for a job

purpleme12 · 2021-08-14T22:23:15+00:00

I'm really worried I might lose my job How much UC would you get if you're unemployed looking for work?? I'm so scared

PoppyDotx · 14/08/2021 23:23

www.entitledto.co.uk/

This will help you.

Duetorain · 14/08/2021 23:31

The benefit calculator should help. Also may show other benefits - new style Jobseekers Allowance (based on national insurance contributions) and Council Tax Reduction.

ParityJ · 14/08/2021 23:31

There is a standard payment.

Single and under 25 £344

Single and 25 or over £411.51

In a couple and you’re both under 25 £490.60 (for you both)

In a couple and either of you are 25 or over £596.58 (for you both)

Then you'll get help toward rent, not mortgage. If you're renting a house with more rooms than you need, you'll lose a percentage per room.
(My house is 3 bed HA and i lose %14 I believe)

You'll also get a set payment per child, up to 2 children.
For your first child £282.50 (born before 6 April 2017)
£237.08 (born on or after 6 April 2017)

For your second child and any other eligible children £237.08 per child

If you have a disabled or severely disabled child £128.89 or £402.41

If you need help with childcare costs up to 85% of your costs (up to £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for 2 or more children)

There's currently an uplift of £80 a month, but that ends soon.

Entitled too is good site.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 14/08/2021 23:38

Ok I'm single (over 25) with one child
It's not fair having this hanging over me 😢

OP posts:

ParityJ · 15/08/2021 00:05

@purpleme12

Ok I'm single (over 25) with one child It's not fair having this hanging over me 😢

It really isnt a nice place to be OP and I sympathize with you very much.

I am on UC and have been for a while now. It is not enough to live really, it is just enough to barely survive.
But you will get through it should you need too.
For every meal I have skipped, my daughter has eaten. For every cold night I have shivered as I haven't put the heat on, there has been a hot water bottle for her. You find ways, so you will honestly be ok.

Babyroobs · 15/08/2021 10:51

You will get £411.51 standard element, reducing to £324.84 in september when the covid increase ends, and if your child was born before April 2017 then you would get £282.50 child element or £237.08 if born after April 2017.
then you will get rent element if you rent. This will depend on the 2 bedroom local housing allowance in your area if you private rent. If you do not have rent costs there is no specific help with a mortgage but when you do find work again there would be a higher work allowance meaning you could earn £513 a month without your earnings affecting the Uc you get. If you have savings over 16k then you cannot claim UC and any savings over 6k will reduce the amount of Uc you receive each month.
If you have no earnings you should also apply for council tax support.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 20/08/2021 12:11

I currently have a job and am on tax credits help...
if i become unemployed ( hoping not to but unfortunately....... i really don't know
will we be moved onto universal credit?
i assumed that was the case?

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 20/08/2021 12:34

@purpleme12

I currently have a job and am on tax credits help... if i become unemployed ( hoping not to but unfortunately....... i really don't know will we be moved onto universal credit? i assumed that was the case?

You might be better off on Universal credit if you lose your job. Do you currently get working tax credits as well as child tax credits ? If so then the working tax credits will stop, I think you get a four week run on after your job ends. Speak to CAB if you can they will do a full benefit check.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 20/08/2021 12:47

Yes I do get working tax credits as well.

OP posts:

Original poster

purpleme12 · 20/08/2021 12:47

Just want to have a job ☹️
So upsetting

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 20/08/2021 12:59

@purpleme12

Just want to have a job ☹️ So upsetting

I hope you find something if you do lose your current job. If you think you will find something else quickly then stay on tax credits if you wish, but I would definitely get a benefit check done for UC as if you have rent to pay you would likely be better off on UC with the rent element.

RaininSummer · 20/08/2021 13:24

Start looking now as it will reduce the fear a bit. You haven't said what kind of work but retail and hospitality are booming right now. Don't forget to look on nhs, civil service and uni sites too if looking for admin roles . You could also register will employment agencies if it does look like their you will lose your job.

SmileyClare · 20/08/2021 13:34

What are your reasons for thinking you might lose your job? Your fears may be unfounded, unless you've committed gross misconduct or been told there'll be redundancies or something?

Unfortunately, once you move to Universal Credit you won't be able to go back to tax credits once you've found work. The DWP are phasing them out. You'll have to declare your earnings to UC and they'll award you some money if you're below an earning threshold.

If you do find yourself unemployed then UC will give you an advisor who'll regularly check you're actively seeking work and you need to be doing 35 hours of work search activity a week, and showing all job applications to be eligible for the money.

LIZS · 20/08/2021 13:42

How long have you been there? What are the circumstances you think may cause you to lose your job?

Babyroobs · 20/08/2021 14:06

The other option if you did lose your job and want to stay on tax credits is to claim News style JSA which you would qualify for for 6 months if you have paid sufficient NI contributions. You may still be better off on Uc though.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 20/08/2021 15:11

I own so wouldn't get rent help

Worked there for 9 years

Am on a PIP. For the first time ever. Not the only person. New policy if you don't hit targets.
(Sales role)
When I started it wasn't a sales role but it's evolved to be mostly sales- happened years ago
I always do my best and always have done

OP posts:

Wheresmrpenguin · 20/08/2021 15:24

@purpleme12

I own so wouldn't get rent help

Worked there for 9 years

Am on a PIP. For the first time ever. Not the only person. New policy if you don't hit targets.
(Sales role)
When I started it wasn't a sales role but it's evolved to be mostly sales- happened years ago
I always do my best and always have done

They can't just fire you if you don't hit your targets. Your company should have development plans in place for people who aren't performing and there should be a warning process first? Are you badly under performing or is there anything they can support you with?

Wheresmrpenguin · 20/08/2021 15:41

@purpleme12

I own so wouldn't get rent help

Worked there for 9 years

Am on a PIP. For the first time ever. Not the only person. New policy if you don't hit targets.
(Sales role)
When I started it wasn't a sales role but it's evolved to be mostly sales- happened years ago
I always do my best and always have done

Just reread you said you're already on a pip (I thought you mean the health one!)

I think until people actually start getting fired I wouldnt worry, I don't think they will do.

But I'd start looking for a new job because it sounds like you might have enough stress and anxiety from this one.

SmileyClare · 20/08/2021 15:59

PIP is a performance improvement plan usually on a time limit. That's tough for you if you've been there nearly a decade and are working hard, and performing well. It sound like a typical sales office technique to crank up the pressure

If you don't think there are ways you could improve your sales then I'd take the advice above to look for other jobs now while you're still in employment.

Universal Credit is there as your safety net if you have a period unemployed. It's worth looking at the eligibility criteria for that online, how much you can have in savings and so on for your peace of mind.
Wishing you luck

mamaweebeastie · 20/08/2021 16:22

I'm a home owner on UC. There is help available but you need to be claiming UC for 9months with no earnings over the threshold. But it's only a type of lone. It didn't help me as my student loan counted as earnings. However being a home owner I can earn up to £515 per month before UC start deducting where as a renter can earn up to £215.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 20/08/2021 18:30

I know I need to look for another job ☹️

OP posts:

SmileyClare · 20/08/2021 21:39

It seems very callous (and short sighted) to push you out of a role you've been doing successfully for 9 years.

Are you under new management? If a lot of your team have been put on a PIP, it may be a cack handed attempt to simply apply pressure to increase sales profits and they won't actually make lots of "redundancies"?

Try not to panic too much, although no harm in looking at the current job market.

Do not resign without a job to walk into. Simply because UC will class you as "intentionally unemployed" and will refuse to pay anything for the first three months. It's a ridiculous sanction, particularly if you leave a job for valid reasons but there it is.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 20/08/2021 21:41

No not new management
But it's got very different. Not like it was.
Maybe you're right about applying pressure to increase sales . I really don't know.

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SmileyClare · 20/08/2021 21:49

The not knowing is the worst. That must be very stressful.

Universal Credit will tide you over if you do find yourself out of work for a time. I had to go on UC during the first lockdown for a while and its the very bare minimum to live on but it is doable for a while until you find something else.
You will be ok.

SmileyClare · 20/08/2021 22:15

I 'll just add that when I had to go on UC, my work coach was quite helpful. She helped me re format my cv, they paid for two online courses (in Microsoft and Excell although there are various to choose from) and gave advice on how to improve my employability.

It isn't just a benefits service, they will assist you in finding work and help with applying for jobs if you need it. It might depend who you get as a work coach, but mine was quite good!