Universal Credit online calculator

Dear community,

I was wondering how accurate the UC online calculators are when it comes to actually receiving the actual amount?

If they are not accurate say +-20% then wouldn't it be setting a high expectation for the claimant? perhaps end up in disappointment and blaming the system?

any thoughts?

Thanks
SimpleButHonest

Simplebuthonest wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 08, 2019 10:26 am

Dear community,

I was wondering how accurate the UC online calculators are when it comes to actually receiving the actual amount?

If they are not accurate say +-20% then wouldn't it be setting a high expectation for the claimant? perhaps end up in disappointment and blaming the system?

any thoughts?

Thanks
SimpleButHonest

Those able to work out the calulations on paper, are showing that the UC calculators do seem to be accurate, as long as the claimant supplies all the correct information.

These are the people who cannot use the the benefit calculators -

Who cannot use them

You cannot use the calculators if you’re under 18, and they will not give accurate results if you’re:

a prisoner
a student
not a British or Irish citizen
on strike
living outside the UK
living permanently in residential care or a nursing home
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators


Remember too that Universal Credit is a monthly benefit and benefit money is based on the claimants circumstances that month. e.g. for 11 months, somebody paid every 4 weeks will get more UC than somebpody paid monthly, and then less on the month they have two pay days in that month. When they put their salary in as monthly on the calulators, it shows they get the same amount of benefits over the year.

JB007 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 08, 2019 11:06 am

not a British or Irish citizen

This is a bit misleading as there is a Habitual Residence test, for British citizens too, and Irish citizens are now being checked to see that they have been living in Ireland even if they are already claiming UK benefits, unless they are being a EU qualified person with a right to reside and can have benefits.

JB007 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 08, 2019 12:47 pm

JB007 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 08, 2019 11:06 am

not a British or Irish citizen

This is a bit misleading as there is a Habitual Residence test, for British citizens too, and Irish citizens are now being checked to see that they have been living in Ireland even if they are already claiming UK benefits, unless they are being a EU qualified person with a right to reside and can have benefits.

Thank you, another quick question! on the UC online form it is asking for Nationality so if you have ILR what should you select?

options are:

1. British
2. Irish
3. N.Irish
4. Citizen of Other country

Simplebuthonest wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 08, 2019 2:39 pm

Thank you, another quick question! on the UC online form it is asking for Nationality so if you have ILR what should you select?

options are:

1. British
2. Irish
3. N.Irish
4. Citizen of Other country

I would guess 4, as you are not a British citizen.

If your partner is not a British citizen, the UC calculator might not be accurate for you. You could visit the CAB and ask them to carry out a benefit calculation for you.

Simplebuthonest wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 08, 2019 10:26 am

Dear community,

I was wondering how accurate the UC online calculators are when it comes to actually receiving the actual amount?

If they are not accurate say +-20% then wouldn't it be setting a high expectation for the claimant? perhaps end up in disappointment and blaming the system?

any thoughts?

Thanks
SimpleButHonest

Be aware too that the benefit calulators only reflect what the benefit payments are on the day they are used. Even known benefit cuts that are coming in, are not reflected in that calculation.

Don't gave a "high expectation" for benefits because Parlaiemnt voted to bring in a cap for the UK's annual welfare bill. Future govenments will also have to make benefit cuts to keep to that cap.Only UK state pensions are exempt from the cap, but these are based on a persons own contributions to the UK. Jobseeker's allowance is also exempt too but has strict rules on what they claimant must do for JSA money or they don't get it, it is time limited and isn't much money anyway.

Under the Welfare reform laws, both parents must earn a set amount of money per week and there is a two child limit for low income benefits. No limit to the number of children they claim for childcare financial help when both parents work. Virtually nothing for those without children under these changes as they must work.