Universal credit advice

[Sunflowerinmygarden]

Good morning all
I need some advice on universal credit. I currently work 2 to 3 days a week 10 hour days for an estate agents doing all the viewings. About 20 to 30 hours a week on £12.50 an hour. However just recently im having to attend back to work commitment meetings with UC. I earn about £1000 a month so im not sure why I have to go into the office once a month. I also do volunteering once a week as well for a local hospice.
I absolutely love my job but its getting me down having to keep proving im working to Uc. Of course I will do what's required of me but sometimes I have to cancel the appointment as Ive been called to work to do overtime. Any ideas what I can do?

I'm in a similar position I work 30 hours a week but I'm in a nursery which means I don't work term time and I don't get paid while I'm off.

Every school holidays when my wages drop below the aet they request I go in for an intensive job search interview. I've only been claiming universal credits since February so this has only happened twice but while I was speaking to an agent during the summer holidays I asked if this is going to happen every single time I'm off work and she said basically yeah.

I understand it's the system flagging up I'm below they aet and they need to investigate why but surely it's on my record the days/times i work. It's most certainly in my journal on one that more occasion. It can be frustrating

@Sunflowerinmygarden is this a single or joint claim?

@Bromptotoo its a single claim

Is it worth it? ie how much do you get from universal credit (and all that goes with it these days like council tax reductions or free dental ie whatever it is)?

If the monthly visit is say 3 hours out of your life per month in order to get £x00 then surely it’s worth it? Yes it’s a pain in the arse but youre getting money so surely it’s a price worth paying?

She shouldn't be having them though as she earns over the amount needed to stop regular appointments.

If you're taking home more than the administrative earnings threshold, £952 a month, you should be in the light touch group and not required to work more or for more money.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/universal-credit-work-related-activity-group/

Have you asked at the Job Centre why you're asked to attend?

I assume you're on payroll and paid through PAYE so UC will see what the employer reports.

Are you paid monthly?

Thanks NotEnough, Im not up to speed with the rules these days.

Im thinking that some months she is just under the threshold in quieter weeks, may be a few 20hour weeks?

Could that be the case OP that sometimes youre just under the £952 ? That would explain it.

Do you have young children OP? If for example your youngest child is 2, you'll be in the 'Work Preparation' group. The WP group has some conditionality requirements that you probably would not be subject to if you were (earning the AET of £952 per monthly assessment period and) in the light touch regime (part of the all work related requirements group).

I think it can sometimes feel/ be the case that people in the Work Preparation group and the Work Focussed Interview group, (eg the main carer of a child under 2 or 1, respectively) have greater conditionality than the light touch regime currently.

Could your employer not add up your hours over the year, divide by 12 and pay you the same each month, like for teaching assistants.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.
I earn about £990 - £1000 a month on average. I have a child who is 14. I have to see them for a back to work commitment meeting next week. Im not sure what they want me to do or say other than increase my earnings? Perhaps? 💁

Hmm, I'm struggling to understand why you're not being more or less left alone which usually happens in the light touch regime if your earnings are at least the AET -which yours are. You're not self employed are you? (Self employed earnings don't count for the AET. )

You've said a 'Back to Work' meeting - have you been off work with illness, perhaps?

You'd also be in the Work Preparation group if you have 'limited capability for work'....

Why aren’t you trying to increase your earnings?

If you have experience working with an estate agent doing viewings, I am sure you could find full time hours doing this.

Maybe she will be worse off working full time?

@Sunflowerinmygarden is the amount you quoted your take home figure?

I do have a second job that I slot in on Thursdays and Friday if I put my name down (zero hour contract for an agency as school cover supervisor. But ive only had 2 appointments since May! Pays about £88 a day once tax is gone.

My understanding is you are expected to look for full time work when your child is 14 years-old unless they have additional needs which would mean they need extra care. Have you told your employer you would like to increase your hours to full time? On the second job, you mention ‘if I put my name down’, are you making yourself available for and chasing all the work you can with them? How much extra do you need to earn to be self sufficient? It won’t be long before your DC is an adult so it makes sense to have a plan on becoming as self sufficient as you can.