UC and travel expenses

[DrCoconut]

Next week I have to apply for universal credit (had a migration letter). I will also be starting to do some travel for work for which my employer will pay mileage, claimed via a monthly form. Will UC count this mileage as income and deduct accordingly or can work related expenses be removed from income? It's not as if I will benefit from the extra money as I will have to buy petrol for the journeys with it. Any insight appreciated!

UC uses earnings as reported by your employer when they run payroll.

Expenses such as reimbursed fares or car mileage should, in theory, not be picked up as earnings.

If they are and your UC is reduced you should but a note on your journal explaining that payment of £xx on dd/mm/yy was travel costs and ask them to adjust your payment accordingly.

Refusal to do so is a decision and you can ask for it to be reviewed etc in the same way as any other.