How does universal credit work?

[AlwaysConfuseddd]

Hi,
I received my final pay (including holiday) from my employer at the end of July (made redundant) but due to the amount I was paid, I received £0 of universal credit. I'm a bit confused by this as the payment from work was in July, that money has covered me for August so I assumed that because I'm not working, I'd be paid at the end of August. I've been told I won't receive anything until the end of September. Is this correct?

It's causing a bit of tension at home, I still live with my mom. I've been paying her rent for the last 5 years, I understand she is struggling to support us both at the moment until I find another job, but it doesn't help hearing certain comments from her. I also have car insurance and road tax to pay for.

I have £2300 in savings that I could dip into for the time being if needed.

UC works in arrears so if you claimed mid July and received salary later, say on the last working day of the month, then the system will see that as money in AP#1. UC will be reduced accordingly.

Tactical advice if you're expecting earnings, as in final salary here, would be to hold off claiming UC until you've had the payment but of course it's too late for that now. I think you may need to live on your savings.

Was any part of the payment compensation for redundancy?

Thank you for your response!
No, the last payment was just a months notice + holiday, I'd worked for the company for less than 2 years.