Benefits on a cut wage
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Annie.
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April 10, 2020 at 14:25 #150606
PaulParticipantIf my hours and pay has been reduced, would I be entitled to any benefits, even if I’m working?
April 11, 2020 at 09:16 #150639AnnieKeymasterHi Paul,
You may be eligible for Universal Credit support if your income has been reduced. It depends on your circumstances (such as whether you live with a partner who is also working), and if you have any savings or assets (like second properties).
If you have capital over £16,000 (either on your own or between you and your partner), you won’t be eligible. Anything between £6,000 – £16,000 will reduce how much you’re entitled to, but you could still get something.
Head to the Universal Credit application page – fill out the answers and it’ll tell you if you’re entitled to receive benefits. Hope that helps!
April 11, 2020 at 10:42 #150647PaulParticipantThanks Annie!
April 11, 2020 at 10:45 #150651DanParticipantWhat if your employer won’t do things like give you the pay at a later date? Mine wants to cut pay permanently by 20% or we have to take redundancy. But I haven’t been there enough to get redunancy so I’d get nothing.
April 11, 2020 at 11:13 #150665AnnieKeymasterHi Dan,
Any change like this has to be agreed by you and your employer in writing. If you can’t agree, they can make you redundant – so it really puts you in a corner!
As you’ve not been there very long, it’s hard to raise a case against them, too. I’d suggest that, if they’re forcing you to take the cut, you accept but start looking for another job. You’ll at least have some income then, until you get a new job.
Maybe there’s an employment lawyer here who can give more advice?
April 12, 2020 at 15:17 #150687
Sam SmithParticipantHi Annie, so to clarify, if one member of the family is working normally (i.e they work for the NHS) but the other cannot, they can’t apply?
April 12, 2020 at 19:33 #150695JenParticipantI was working part time in a bar during university but now I’ve lost work, am I able to claim any benefits even though I’m still studying full time for exams next month?
April 13, 2020 at 10:11 #150701AmyParticipantHi, I’m a single mum and work in hospitality. Where I worked has closed and I’ve lost all sources of income. Am I allowed to ask for furloughed pay from my employer and also apply for childcare benefits? My furloughed pay wouldn’t be enough to cover all my rent and bill costs.
April 13, 2020 at 11:11 #150707Sam SmithParticipantAmy – have your employers not communicated anything about being furloughed?
Jen – I’m not sure students can apply for Universal Credit, but are you officially furloughed or has your employer just cut your hours? It would be good to know how this impacts students.
April 13, 2020 at 13:44 #150715AnnieKeymasterHi Annie, so to clarify, if one member of the family is working normally (i.e they work for the NHS) but the other cannot, they can’t apply?
It depends what the household income and assets are. You could have one partner working but on a low income, and so you’ll be eligible. You can always apply online to see – once you’ve input your household income and assets figures, it’ll tell you if you can get Universal Credit or not, so you’ll know on-the-spot if you’re eligible.
April 13, 2020 at 13:46 #150716AnnieKeymasterI was working part time in a bar during university but now I’ve lost work, am I able to claim any benefits even though I’m still studying full time for exams next month?
Oof, this is a tough gig – full-time students don’t qualify for benefits 🙁 The only thing you could do, if you were still on the bar’s payroll on 28th Feb 2020, is ask them to re-hire you and furlough you with their other staff. That’d give you a little income (furlough income for casual hours/zero hours workers are worked out on the average 12 months’ hours or February’s wage, whichever was higher).
April 13, 2020 at 13:49 #150717AnnieKeymasterHi, I’m a single mum and work in hospitality. Where I worked has closed and I’ve lost all sources of income. Am I allowed to ask for furloughed pay from my employer and also apply for childcare benefits? My furloughed pay wouldn’t be enough to cover all my rent and bill costs.
Hi Amy,
Do you have a permanent contract with your place of work, or was it a zero hours one? Have they furloughed other staff? If you have a permanent contract, they must pay you your salary, make you officially redundant, or officially furlough you to receive 80% pay.
You can apply for benefits if your furloughed pay is a low income. It all depends on your assets (savings) as well as your income – but it’s definitely worth applying in case you’re eligible!
April 18, 2020 at 11:32 #150839JenParticipantSam – I haven’t been officially furloughed, just had all my hours cut as the business closed so a bit of a tough one.
Annie – Thanks for the advice, will get in touch with them and see if I can get furloughed by them.
April 18, 2020 at 18:20 #150846StanParticipantI read that this money isn’t paid until June. Is that right? And if so, how are we expected to survive when furloughed? We can’t sign on in this scenario.
April 18, 2020 at 18:25 #150848Sam SmithParticipantMy friends have also been asking Stan’s question on social media. This might be a good place to direct them too.
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