Coming off Universal Credit - single parent

[Heebijeebs]

I've just had my hours increased at work and may well get more hours this coming year, which is great. However I'm a bit trying to anticipate how this will affect my UC - hoping someone can help!

I currently get standard allowance for single adult over 25, a housing element which covers all of my rent and an element for one child.

I understand in general how the taper works, but not sure where the cut off point is as my earned income increases. For example, I was getting approx £1300 a month take home pay and getting approx £560 UC. By my calculations, if my earnings increase to £1570 a month, by applying the taper I should receive £415 in UC.

What I'm wondering is at what point do I not receive UC anymore and how does this work? If I just keep applying the taper it looks like I could earn £2300 a month before UC is cancelled out entirely- does this sound right?

I do remember a work coach saying once my earnings reach £1500 a month I come off UC (or it might have been £15k a year) so I'm just trying to work out what to expect so I can think ahead to budget for any changes. The helpline wasn't much help!

Many TIA

Just keep applying the taper. When your award is zero you're off UC.

Oh that's a relief and hoped that might be the case. Thank you 😊

One good thing about UC is that you don't have the on off benefit trap merry-go-round.

If you earn more in one month, your award will be zero.

If you earn less you will be rewarded what is owed to you on the scale.

It won't be cancelled as such. So just stay on it, declare yourself employed. They also still take in to account housing costs etc with regard the the old style housing benefit.

Good luck with your job!

Thank you!

For Universal Credit all one hundred percent of contributions made to a personal or occupational pension are disregarded when calculating income. Pay the excess salary into your pension and you should continue to receive all your UC payments.

Buy once your award is zero your claim is cancelled and you need to start a new claim if wages go down

@MissMaple82 not automatically closed Joe unless six consecutive nil awards.

This is worth doing.

That's a fantastic tip, thank you.