Working on Universal Credit
“Being paid four weekly there is two months a year you get two pays so lose your UC payments that month.”
“There is like better factors to it because you’re getting like 85% of your childcare paid for you and things like that, whereas before you were getting 70% on tax credits.”
“I had a zero hour contract job. UC fluctuated wildly and lagged nearly two months behind my wages. I was left with no help or wages at times. Then stale bread was a luxury for dinner. I couldn’t afford to heat my flatlet or have a warm shower. I got so used to being painfully cold and stealing leftover scraps at work.”
Universal Credit is supposed to support people in work who need additional financial help. However, there are problems with how earnings are calculated which can mean people receive least help when they need it most.
Find information and advice on while on Universal Credit in our Universal Credit Guide, Created by welfare rights workers and people who have had first hand experience of claiming Universal Credit.