Universal credit managed migration thread

[ChristmasCatBells]

Anyone else waiting for a migration notice this year?
Looks like they are planning to move people on tax credits only onto universal credit this year but haven't released any detailed timetables about areas.
Thought it might be useful to share experiences and information on here for those affected.

You will just get more UC on the months you don't have earnings and less when you do have earnings. the main problem may be that they will want you to show you are looking for work in the months when no earnings are reported. if you are self employed then that can be tricky on UC, so read up and be prepared for what you will need to do.

Babyroobs, i am self employed and employed.. im a bit confused how i look for work, when i've 7 part time jobs March - November.. if i take on work Nov - Feb i'd have to give up my existing work surely?!

Plus i supply a gallery closed Jan - Feb every year! so obviously no sales then..

I guess they would perhaps suggest seasonal work or something. As long as you show you are job searching if they ask you to then you will be fine. maybe casual work you could do Nov- feb ? They would likely just call you in for work coach appointments when your earnings drop to nil in those winter months.

Self employment is tricky on UC. If they deem you to be gainfully self employed then you will have a minimum income floor ( mif) which you are expected to meet in earnings each month and can be treated as if you earn that amount even if you don't. I'm not really sure how that would pan out with seasonal work where there are months when you have no work. you would need to ask these questions when you have your self employment interview when you switch over.

Thank you Babyroobs, also have a problem as i have to man the gallery once a month, its part of the deal for selling there, which of course we dont get paid for,
Gonna be complicated!

I’ve ordered a statement for my savings account. I was thinking of closing it but thought it’s prob best to have the statement instead. It’ll show all transactions from feb. That’ll be ok I hope as it’s only one statement.

I've never had a problem with tax credits. But then again, I haven't changed my job or hours in 13yrs.

quick question if you are unable to work due to health reason would you need a fit note before migrating or should you apply first and then supply a fit note I am planning to migrate at the last minute my migration by date is 15th November and I plan to apply on the 13th after my last tax credits payment,

If you are currently in receipt of ESA and have had a work capability assessment then you would not need to hand in sick notes to UC. Otherwise you would. There would be no point getting a sick note before migrating really unless oyu are applying for ESA ?

@Babyroobs I have not worked for over 8 years due to deteriorating health I suffer from chronic facial migraines and I am in pain most days as well as other health issues I do not plan to look for work and have no idea how this works with universal credits the only benefit I claim is child tax credits I naively thought that nothing would change when migrated but have now found out I will be expected to look for work 35 hours a week.

Yes there are conditions attached to claiming UC and depending on the age of your youngest child you could be expected to look for work earning 35 x nmw a week. You would need to report your health condition when you make the Uc claim and submit sick notes with no gap until you have been assessed for work capability. you may need to still attend some appointments with a work coach until you have been assessed which can take some months.

It could also benefit you a lot on UC by being assessed. if you are awarded LCWRA after assessment which means they have assessed you as not fit to do any type of work or work searching activity then you get almost an extra £400 per month on your Uc claim.

What is national min wage?
£ 10.42?

x35= £18964 / year?

They say 35 hours though when a child is 12 I think but actually as long as someone is meeting the AET ( administrative earnings threshold) they would leave you alone/ not make you go to work coach appointments etc. I think the AET is set to rise to just over £900 a month soon.

Thanks babyroobs. So if I earn £1050/ month take home that’ll be ok?

Yes pretty sure that would be fine.

Ok great thanks. I might choose to opt in to the support if that’s possible. Or I guess I can dip in when needed.

@Freezinghot The work requirements apply to both parents. If your youngest child is age 4 then I believe the requirement for you is 16 hours per week. It would be 35 hours for your partner.

I'm pretty sure that I've read on other forums that it is already being implemented.

I think even when it is implemented fully it is only minimal hours something like 18 hours a week, possibly less with young children so it's not like they are asking people to look for full time work like a lot of parents have to work.