Confirm previous earnings from work

Anhedonia2

I was expecting my statement this morning but instead I've got an action to confirm my last 12 months earnings from work. It's my first month where I've only been paid SSP, is this why?

It also asks me to enter the total amounts of me and my partner but I'm on a single claim. Is this an error?

And do I put amount before or after tax? It doesn't say, it says: "How much did you and your partner earn in total from work each month?"

Holly_Scope

Hi @Anhedonia2, this sounds quite complex. Have you and your partner recently requested to transition to a joint claim? Also you mention you've only been paid SSP, is this statutory sick pay? Were you expecting UC alongside this?

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

You are asked to confirm the previous 12 months earnings when you stop work because that may entitle you to a 9 month exemption from the benefit cap. (This is to help prevent a sudden, large drop in income).

You should provide your total earnings, before tax or expenses.

If you have a partner, you must provide their earnings as well. If you don't have a partner then you can just ignore that sentence.

Emilee

Just to add: the partner section is relevant because if you were in a relationship before claiming benefits and that relationship later ends, your ex-partner's earnings can still count towards qualifying you for a grace period from the benefit cap. For example, this could apply where one partner was working and the other was not.

Anhedonia2

Definitely no partner to account for!

Thanks for the advice all, I've entered previous 12 months earnings, really hoping I won't be benefit capped 😒