The job market is evolving rapidly, and searching for a new role can feel overwhelming, especially for those receiving government benefits.
At Agincare, we understand these challenges, which is why we provide highly rewarding career opportunities. We offer competitive pay, a welcome bonus, paid induction training, a refer-a-friend scheme, ongoing support, an easy pay system, and excellent prospects for career growth.
To help you navigate your employment and benefits at Agincare, we’ve compiled the following information to ensure you can maximise your income and support.
If you’re currently receiving Universal Credit (UC) and looking for a job at Agincare, here’s how UC can support you both in and out of work.
Flexible Hours and Payment Adjustments
- Flexible Hours: Universal Credit doesn’t limit the number of hours you can work. For example, if you’re a single parent with school-age children, Agincare’s flexible hours allow you to work shifts that fit around school drop-offs and pick-ups. This flexibility helps you balance work and family life.
- Payment Adjustments: Imagine you start working part-time at Agincare. As your earnings increase, your UC payments will gradually decrease. This means you’ll see more money overall and won’t lose out on important income, ensuring you’re always better off working. For instance, if you pick up extra shifts during the holidays, your UC adjusts to your increased income without the need to reapply or worry about overpayments.
Temporary Jobs and New Claims
Thinking about taking on a temporary job? Or maybe your contract has just come to an end at an existing role. If you find yourself in this position, you don’t need to stress.
- No New Claims Needed: You can take temporary jobs without needing to make a new UC claim. Suppose you decide to cover a maternity leave position for six months at Agincare. You can accept this temporary role without worrying about reapplying for UC once the position ends.
- Support Between Jobs: If your temporary job ends and you haven’t found another role yet, UC will support you during the gap. For example, if your contract ends in June and you start a new job in September, UC will provide financial support during those months without income.
Earnings and Universal Credit
A common question for many thinking about a career with Agincare is:
How much could I earn before my Universal Credit is affected? The answer depends on your living status.
- Single Adults: You can earn up to £16,967 in Greater London or £14,753 outside Greater London before your Universal Credit (UC) is affected. This means that if you work full-time as a care worker at Agincare and earn £14,000 a year outside London, you will still receive some financial support from UC. As a lone parent, you can earn up to £1,835 per month.
- Couples: You and your partner can earn up to £2,110.25 per month. For instance, if you and your partner both work part-time and earn a combined income of £2,000 a month, UC will still contribute to your household budget.
What is considered low-income in the UK?
In the UK, a household is generally considered low income if it earns 60% or less of the median household income according to the Income Dynamics. For example, if the median household income is £494 per week before housing costs, then households with an income of less than £296 per week are considered to be relatively low income. This means that many people working part-time or in lower-wage roles may still qualify for UC support.
Childcare Support
Here is what you need to keep in mind if you are currently receiving childcare support and looking for a job:
- UC Childcare Costs: Universal Credit covers 85% of your paid childcare costs, with monthly limits of £1,014.63 for one child and £1,739.37 for 2 or more children as mentioned on the government website. For example, if you’re paying £600 a month for daycare for your toddler, UC will reimburse you for £510 of those costs, making childcare more affordable.
- Government-Funded Childcare: Starting April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds can get up to 15 hours a week of free education and childcare. From September 2024, this extends to parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years. For instance, if you have a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old, you’ll be able to save significantly on childcare costs, making it easier to work more hours or take on additional shifts at Agincare.
Agincare is here to support you every step of the way
We are one of the largest independent and family-owned care companies in England. Founded in 1986, we have grown to a family of over 4000 employees across a range of services, including Home Care, Care and Nursing Homes and Live-in Care. Our success is defined by the care heroes who make up our teams and we are dedicated to supporting you not just in your career, but managing your home life too.
Whether you just joined our family, are looking to start or have been a long-time member, our HR team are here to support you and answer any questions you may have. They can provide more information on UC and how your career with us can make a positive impact on your income. Find out more by contacting HR at hr@agincare.com.
Here are some takeaways from this guide:
- Unlimited Work Hours: You can work as many hours as you want without UC limitations.
- Support for Temporary Employment: Temporary employment is supported by UC without the need for new claims.
- Income Threshold Awareness: Be aware of the income thresholds to understand how your UC payments may be adjusted.
- Childcare Benefits: Utilise UC benefits for childcare to help manage work and family life.
- Free Childcare Hours: Take advantage of the free childcare hours provided by the government.