Is it worth claiming universal credit for the one year transition?

Bromptotoo · 18/10/2023 09:46

Depends how much UC you get which in turn depends on your circumstances. If you're coming off Tax Credits then presumably you have kids.

If you give a quick description of you circumstances eg number/ages of kids, partner if you have one, rent, any disability or long term health condition and whether you (and partner if there is one) work together with pay we can give you an estimate of what you'll get.

When you apply you're likely to have to go to the Job Centre for an initial interview to prove ID, verify savings and perhaps housing costs. You don't normally need to report spends although, if you're Self Employed you will need to report takings, expenses and how much you're taking as income etc.

Depending on ages of your kids, their/your health etc you might be expected to seek/take work witihn limits.

wobytide · 18/10/2023 14:28

If you work 35 hours and have savings over the limits would you still be expected to have to prove things that you are admitting too on a migration? I.E attend a Job Centre meeting of you already work and met the criteria for TC previously?

Bromptotoo · 18/10/2023 15:39

wobytide · 18/10/2023 14:28

If you work 35 hours and have savings over the limits would you still be expected to have to prove things that you are admitting too on a migration? I.E attend a Job Centre meeting of you already work and met the criteria for TC previously?

Who is asked to go to the Job Centre has been hit/miss since Covid. However I'd expect most claimants to be asked to attend one in connection with proving ID, Housing costs savings etc.

Original poster

Marvelgroot · 19/10/2023 13:41

I’m just not sure if it’s worth it for a year I’ll have to look into online calculator etc but sure it won’t be much

OP posts:

TheBabylonian · 19/10/2023 14:57

Might mostly be worth it for single parents.

If you only get £100 a month I wouldn’t bother, but some get over £1000 a month so for them it would be worth it.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 19/10/2023 16:06

TheBabylonian · 19/10/2023 14:57

Might mostly be worth it for single parents.

If you only get £100 a month I wouldn’t bother, but some get over £1000 a month so for them it would be worth it.

Only £100? Free money and you would turn it down? Food shop for a week!

Chasingsquirrels · 19/10/2023 17:43

I am, I had my migration notice to apply by 7 Oct.
I'll only be entitled due to transitional protection, and won't be entitled after next Aug anyway as youngest finishes A-levels then.

I had an appt at the job centre to verify savings last week and am waiting for my statement in a few weeks.

I've also had my final TC award review from 6 Apr to 4 Oct through today and am currently on hold to update them with actual figures due to pension contributions.

Teado · 19/10/2023 18:48

I think that going into the job centre is so unnecessary for people who can verify online/ upload documents etc. Maybe the policy is to make it as clunky and inconvenient as possible so that claimants don’t bother.

It’s easy for me to get to the job centre - I am able bodied, I have no childcare issues (younger DC is in the Upper Sixth) and I work in town near the job centre. But it is not easy for many.

This is not a criticism of hardworking DWP staff by the way. It’s a criticism of the process.

Squishy1911 · 19/10/2023 18:52

Was your Tax credits award the final award notice?

seoo · 19/10/2023 18:54

Bromptotoo · 18/10/2023 15:39

Who is asked to go to the Job Centre has been hit/miss since Covid. However I'd expect most claimants to be asked to attend one in connection with proving ID, Housing costs savings etc.

Show quote history

this is not true, job centres went back to being a face to face service 2 years ago. Also changes to the administrative earnings threshold will see thousands of people move into work regimes where they need to have regular appointments. These will be at the job centre

Squishy1911 · 19/10/2023 18:55

I don’t think I am to be honest, I just want to know if my Tax credits will just end naturally when it reaches the deadline and then will have a finial award notice.

Bromptotoo · 20/10/2023 08:34

seoo · 19/10/2023 18:54

this is not true, job centres went back to being a face to face service 2 years ago. Also changes to the administrative earnings threshold will see thousands of people move into work regimes where they need to have regular appointments. These will be at the job centre

Edited

Show quote history

I was referring specifically to people making new applications for UC and over the entire period since the pandemic.

I accept what you say about AET/light touch etc.

Tray82 · 20/10/2023 15:25

.

Muddle2000 · 21/10/2023 19:27

Well yonks ago I did not apply for JSA just for a year It counted towards State pension so I lost out on that as well Regretting things we did not do

whonickedmyusername · 28/11/2023 17:10

Marvelgroot · 18/10/2023 09:02

Anyone moved over from tax credits only ? Is it worth it ? I have heard you have to declare spends and go to the job centre to provide bank statements etc a lot of faffing around etc
Have 18k in savings so will only qualify for the transition year just unsure whether to bother or not as won’t get a lot due to working full time and the savings

hows everyone else finding the move ?

Hi @Marvelgroot. Sorry for late reply

FWIW - I migrated over from CTC to UC a few months ago (very begrudgingly). I really didn't want to. Due to divorce (not my choice), I have 'savings' over £16k so i'll only get UC until next Aug. However, it was worth it to carry on getting free school meals for my DS, and NHS help plus the COL payments. I'd go for it.