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Original poster

Universal Credit

6 replies

FluffyUnicornz · 17/01/2022 11:14

So this is the first time we have put in a claim for universal credit and have never previously been entitled to any benefit help so are new to this…..

We submitted the application with both mine and DH’s income although did state that it was DH’s last pay as his contract has ended (28th December) and the start date on his new job has been pushed back due to covid so will now be unemployed until April.

The first ‘assessment period’ what ever this means, ended yesterday then our statement was uploaded which said we are entitled to nothing after deductions this month.

Could anyone explain how this works?

It showed entitled to X amount but due to DH income the deductions were made which left us with nothing.
So do they re assess every month and now he has no income - in the next assessment period he will be earning nothing so there for those detections won’t be made and we will then be entitled to what it first said?

I’ve never done this before and I’m really confused and worrying that we won’t end up getting anything.

OP posts:

Danikm151 · 17/01/2022 11:22

Maybe put a message in your journal to ask?

somethinghere · 17/01/2022 11:25

The assessment period will be the last 30 days so it will have included his final pay cheque.
They automatically reassess every month. If you look at your statement it will show your full entitlement and why they have deducted that amount.

LakieLady · 17/01/2022 11:35

Yes, next month it will be based just on your income.

If you go to www.entitledto.co.uk, you can put in your pay figures for last month and it will show you what you would have got without your DH's earnings. If your earnings are the same every month, that's what you will get next month, too.

Also check on your council's website to see if you get any help with your council tax now you only have one income.

LakieLady · 17/01/2022 11:39

Sorry, meant to explain the "assessment period".

UC is assessed every month, to take account of fluctuating income. The "monthly assessment period" (MAP) starts on the day of the month on which you start your claim, and ends on the preceding day of the following month. So if you started a claim today, your MAP would run from 17th of one month to the 16th of the next month.

Payments are made 5 days (I think it's 5) after the end of the MAP, so your first payment in the above scenario would be on 23rd of next month and all subsequent months.

Original poster

FluffyUnicornz · 19/01/2022 16:29

So do I need to go back in and change the details for DH income and put he is unemployed? Otherwise how will they automatically reassess without knowing about the change?

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 19/01/2022 20:11

@FluffyUnicornz

So do I need to go back in and change the details for DH income and put he is unemployed? Otherwise how will they automatically reassess without knowing about the change?

You need to report a change that he is no longer working - you can do this on the Home page of your journal. But they will also automatically see that he has no earnings. he may be called for a work coach appointment once he's not working, it will depend on your earnings, ages of your kids etc.

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