UC "Confirm previous earnings from work"

[Mummaneedswine]

After me and my ex partner broke up I applied for Universal Credit to help me out (I work but I'm self employed so my earnings vary).

Anyway today I logged in and it's asked me to declare earning from before I was even on it? Part of this period my ex supported me and there is no way he will hand over payslips or tell me this info.

I've had a month where I've made less than usual and wondered if that could have prompted the question. Has anyone else had this? Ive left a journal message but haven't been replied to yet. Just wondering what im meant to do as I can't get the info they need

If he supported you, then your personal earnings were zero? I suspect they just want to you let them know you were being supported otherwise from the benefits system or paid employment

I had this it's to make sure you didn't make millions before claiming, your exes income doesn't count so just put down what ever you earned if you earned nothing just put £0

It's to do with the benefit cap

If you or your partner are working, and together you were earning at least £430 per month after tax and national insurance in each of the 12 months before applying for Universal Credit, the benefit cap will not affect you for the first 9 months of your claim.

If your income falls below £430 per month while you are already claiming Universal Credit, but you we earning at least £430 per month in each of the previous 12 months, the benefit cap will not affect you for the next 9 months of your claim.

The £430 might be a slightly higher figure since April 22

I'm not with that partner anymore. He supported me but gave me no money for myself just paid bills. So do I just put £0 do you know??

Do not put no because that may mean previous earnings may not be enough to exempt you from the benefits cap. I would message them and see what they advise doing if you do not know what your ex's earnings were.

Sorry meant to write I would not put zero because if you were a couple at the time it will be based on your joint earnings.

I'm not with that partner anymore. He supported me but gave me no money for myself just paid bills. So do I just put £0 do you know??

It doesn't matter if you're no longer together. It's asking what your income was over the last 12 months whether single or part of a couple.

Were you working at the time ? if not and you put zero then you will be hit by the benefit cap if your benefits exceed that. If you try to find out his earnings for the past nine months or explain to them that you can't find theses out then if he earned enough you will be exempt from the benefits cap.

If he supported you then you were a couple for benefits purposes and his wages could be crucial in exempting you from the benefits cap.

It's to check you didn't earn a million pounds the month before you signed on

If you've earned less than the threshold then yes that could mean you will be hit by the benefit cap which is why they are asking for the last nine months of earnings.

If I got asked for my earnings for a period I would think that meant what I had earned from work or self-employment. I think you're overthinking this. Your partner supporting you is not you earning anything.

What was the household income over the last 12 months? That's what they're asking. If you're going to get hit by the the benefit cap then h/h income above a certain level over the last 12 months will give you a 'grace period' of 9 months. That's all the information will be used for. No one will check the amounts they will take your word for it.

Ahh I see. I don't understand the cap. From what I've read it's to ensure you've paid enough into the pot to be entitled to some? Or am I wrong?

I thought I was already on a grace period as my daughter started school in September and I'm just starting out in self employment but maybe not if they've sent this.

The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached state pension age.

Outside Greater London
The benefit cap outside Greater London is:
• £384.62 per week (£20,000 a year) if you’re in a couple
• £384.62 per week (£20,000 a year) if you’re a single parent and your children live with you
• £257.69 per week (£13,400 a year) if you’re a single adult
Inside Greater London
The benefit cap inside Greater London is:
• £442.31 per week (£23,000 a year) if you’re in a couple
• £442.31 per week (£23,000 a year) if you’re a single parent and your children live with you
• £296.35 per week (£15,410 a year) if you’re a single adult

If you've just started self-employment you've probably been given a 1 year start up period which is something completely different to the benefit cap. Having said all this the benefit cap may not apply to you anyway.

I think I've got myself confused because it seems if you earn the same or more than X your benefit cap won't be affected? But if you didn't earn anything in that persons it will be reduced?

I called today and the lady on the phone didn't have a clue and my journal entry hasn't been responded to yet. They make things quite confusing sometimes. I really appreciate your help by the way 💕

Hi can I ask if this was resolved and how op; as I am in an identical situation! Saw message on UC account today. Many thanks x

Hi did you get this fixed out? I just got asked for this today it on a new claim I just did my earnings yesterday as I’m noe self employed

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It is a test to determine whether or not the benefit cap needs to be applied if your potential benefit entitlement goes over the threshold. If prior earnings are higher enough there is a grace period before the benefit cap is applied.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/benefits-capap*_

Not sure the link works so here's another one

www.gov.uk/benefit-cap/how-earnings-affect-when-benefit-cap-starts