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Original poster

Worse off after covid payment

19 replies

Scottishnurse · 09/03/2021 21:23

Nc for this

After receiving our covid recognition payments this month my pay was 240 more than usual.

My universal credit payment is usually 300pm but I am not entitled to any this month due to my higher wage this month.

So due to the payment I am now £60 worse off this month.

OP posts:
ashmts · 09/03/2021 22:32

We were offered the option to spread the covid payment over 2 or 3 months to avoid this (big health board). Did payroll not offer you this option?

Sootess · 09/03/2021 22:42

Yes I'm in NHS Lothian and we had info about spreading out payment for this very reason. There was info on how to apply for it.

Original poster
Scottishnurse · 09/03/2021 23:36

No we weren't given that option. We were given option to delay it by one month but I didn't know what the point in that would be so I didn't go for it.

If I'm honest I didn't give it much thought as I knew I wouldn't really be getting anything- I didn't ever consider I'd be worse off though 😔

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 10/03/2021 07:31

I'd take this up with the press if you can be bothered. I'm sure it was an overlooked consequence of the bonus scheme. I'm a big fan of Kaye Adams BBC Scotland phone in radio programme. This sounds like exactly the sort thing of thing they pick up.

Original poster
Scottishnurse · 10/03/2021 08:58

I'm quite a private person. Hence the nc if I could do it anon I would do it.

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 10/03/2021 09:07

I can message them if you like, as long as you don't think it'd be too identifying. Do you think there are many nurses in a similar position?

Original poster
Scottishnurse · 10/03/2021 09:13

I think there must be I cant be the only one surely. I dont think it would be identifying as I dont discuss my finances irl.

OP posts:
Groovee · 10/03/2021 09:16

My Dd got the co I'd payment. She received £245 the rest was taken off her in tax.

Original poster
Scottishnurse · 10/03/2021 09:24

Thats what happened to me groove.

I work full time so got the full £500 but I only cleared extra £260.

But because my gross pay was 500 more my UC was taken away and I'm now worse off this month.

OP posts:
Groovee · 10/03/2021 09:35

Why did they give it if they weren't going to give the full £500? It's very unfair. I know some places are paying it in installaments too. It's all very odd if it leaves people worse off.

ashmts · 10/03/2021 10:18

@Groovee

Why did they give it if they weren't going to give the full £500? It's very unfair. I know some places are paying it in installaments too. It's all very odd if it leaves people worse off.
www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/coronavirus-guidance/coronavirus-bonus-payments-certain-employees

They tried to get Westminster to waive tax but they wouldn't and said Scottish Government should increase the bonus if they wanted staff to receive £500.

Above link says everyone had the opportunity to receive in instalments. Unfortunately some people may have dropped the ball on this and lost out as a result. Also clearing £245/£260 is very low assuming staff nurse, either people have student loan payments or are earning a lot through shift work as I'm a 7 and took home more than that from the bonus.

Original poster
Scottishnurse · 10/03/2021 11:11

Maybe I missed it but definitely only thing I seen was to delay the payment until March.

Like I said though I didn't really give it much thought.

Yeah I do have student loan repayments which more than doubled due to extra money.

I work in the community so I dont get any enhancements. My take home pay is exactly the same every month.

OP posts:
thedevilinablackdress · 10/03/2021 12:59

2 issues raised here, one is that it is taxed. That affects everyone. The other is around if affecting benefits, the OPs issue.
OP, can you take this up with HR? Or are you in a union. As PP have said, other boards had this highlighted to them and ways round it offered.

sleepyhead · 10/03/2021 13:01

We were given the option to delay payment, or even refuse it if it was going to cause problems with benefits and potentially take it at a later point. It was made really clear that this was because of UC thresholds - I would take it up with HR.

brakespeare · 10/03/2021 13:28

Anyone I know used the installments option. It was widely advertised in all staff comms.

Original poster
Scottishnurse · 10/03/2021 14:57

I'm a mid band 5 and if I had that extra money all year that salary would put me to a low/mid band 6.

Which means if I got a band 6 tomorrow in a few years I'd be worse off than I am todayConfused

OP posts:
anon444877 · 10/03/2021 14:58

that is objectively naff op that it cost you money, you have my sympathies. There are lots of traps like this where your income can go up a bit and benefit tail off means you aren't better off.

Invisimamma · 10/03/2021 23:51

We definitely got the option to spread the payments over a few months to prevent this happening, you had to speak to payroll before the cut off date.

Band 4 dp got about £250 in his pocket, after tax.

millymoo1202 · 11/03/2021 08:53

This is awful, what a kick in the teeth!

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