Below are some example calculations (with video answers) so that you can practice.
Note:
- all details are fictitious, addresses are chosen at random from Rightmove data
- new examples will be added each week, so bookmark this page and come back regularly for more practice
Broken ankle – how will my benefits change?
Your client is aged 32, they live in a 2 bed privately rented flat (39, Tylersfield, Abbots Langley WD5 0PS) with their 8yo daughter the rent is £1,100pcm. Last year your client was working 35 hours a week and earned £19,167 in the tax year 2021/22. From 6th April her salary has increased to £22,000. She pays 5% of her salary into a workplace pension. She is currently in receipt of Tax Credits, Child Benefit, and Housing Benefit. She has savings of £1,000.
However, on 4th May 2022 she broke her ankle. She is unable to work right now because her job requires her to be on her feet. She has been signed off by her doctor until 6th July 2022. Her employer has told her that she is contractually entitled to half pay for up to six months then Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
The task is to use QBC and the make it monthly spreadsheet to work out and record the following:
- calculate the client’s legacy benefit entitlement before the accident as it would’ve been before she broke her leg
- calculate the client’s legacy benefit entitlement while she’s off sick
- calculate the client’s Universal Credit entitlement while she’s off sick
- calculate the client’s legacy benefit entitlement when she returns to work
- calculate the client’s Universal Credit entitlement when she returns to work
Download completed QBC and ‘make it monthly’ spreadsheet