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<p>The amount of Universal Credit paid reflects, as closely as possible, the actual
circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period, including any
earnings reported by the employer during that assessment period, regardless of when
they were paid. Monthly assessment is aligned to the way the majority of employees
are paid and also allows Universal Credit to be adjusted each month. This means that
if a claimant’s income falls, they will not have to wait several months for a rise
in their Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Some claimants are paid in differing patterns,
including four-weekly, fortnightly, weekly or on a variable day every month, which
may mean that for some months these claimants receive two or more sets of earnings
during one Universal Credit assessment period (AP). This may reduce, or in some cases
completely reduce the Universal Credit award the claimant receives that month.</p><p>
</p><p>We have produced guidance to help ensure claimants, staff and representatives
are aware of the importance of reporting accurate dates and the impact on payment
cycles: this is available at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles</a>.</p>
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