Supply teacher- can I apply for Universal Credit?

[simonneilsbeautifulhair]

I'm a supply teacher and obviously there is no work currently. My agency is being ridiculously bad at letting us know whether we are covered by the furlough scheme and are saying that the governments advice is conflicting despite union guidance saying we should be covered. Therefore I have no idea if I will get paid anything or when.

I'm a single parent with no other source of income and funds are running very low. Can I apply for universal credit when it's possible I may get furloughed? Is this going to cause problems if I apply and the supply agency then do furlough me? What the hell do I put as my income or employment status if I do apply?

I think I'd still be entitled to some universal credit even if I'm furloughed as 80% of my average gross monthly wage since supply teaching is about £1200.

Teaching personnel have just confirmed they will be furloughing staff and will be paying their staff before they receive the money from the government.
Exact calculations of how much people will get will be confirmed next week according to a government calculation.

Thanks for the reply Q, unfortunately I'm not with Teaching Personnel and my agency seem really behind with actually getting out any information to us but hopefully this will also be the message from them (eventually!)

Still not getting anything back from the supply agency about whether I will be furloughed. Emailed this morning and got an out of office on leave message If I apply for Universal Credit now what will happen if I am eventually furloughed? And what do I put as my income/work status?!

I personally would apply and put your current employment and income details. Your payments are based on how much you earn on a month by month basis so your UC payments will reflect your lack of income from your job. I don't know enough about furlough to know whether that would affect your claim though unfortunately.