Employees in receipt of Universal Credit may see the amount of Universal Credit they receive affected by the increase in November’s pay packet.
Payroll is working to ensure the recently agreed 2023/24 increase in wages – together with backdated pay – is added to SJC employees’ November pay packet.
That means the amount of take-home pay all SJC employees including Universal Credit claimants receive that month will be higher than normal.
What does that mean?
If your take-home pay changes within your assessment period so too does the amount of Universal Credit you receive.
Because November’s pay will be higher than normal due to the increase and backdated pay, you may find:
- the amount of Universal Credit you receive is lower than normal, or
- your Universal Credit claim could close as the amount is too high to qualify for support.
As Universal Credit is based on your own personal circumstances, the Council does not know if you may be affected.
If your claim does close because of the increase and backdated pay award you will see a message on your Universal Credit Journal telling you this has happened.
What to do if your claim closes
Universal Credit payments do not start again automatically.
If your Universal Credit payments stop because you have had additional pay, you must start up your claim again.
You should do this as soon as you can to make sure you do not miss out.
How to restart your claim
- log into your Universal Credit Journal
- select the 'Reclaim tab’ at the bottom of the screen
- answer a few simple questions
Issues with restarting
If you have problems restarting your claim, you should contact your Work Coach in the first instance.
Further help can be obtained from Jobcentre Plus staff.
An overview of Universal Credit can be found at www.gov.uk/universal-credit or you can call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344.
Effects on rent payments
If Universal Credit sends rent payments direct to your landlord, including Falkirk Council, registered social or private landlord, on your behalf, the payment may also be affected due to the increase in wages and backdated pay.
If your Universal Credit reduces in December, you will need to pay your rent from the increased wages you have received in November.
If you have questions regarding changes to your rent payment, call 01324 506070 and select option 4 then option 2 for advice.
Further help
If you have any problems with your current Universal Credit, help is available online:
You can also access help in person at: