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Original poster

UC help

36 replies

Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 12:51

Please could anyone help?
I've just accepted a new job, net salary per month is £1,263. It's 30 hours. I'm 34.
My partner works 40 hours and his net salary per month is £1520. He's 35.
We have 3 children and childcare is £1625 a month.
Our rent is £895 a month, council band B.
Could anyone help with whether we'd be entitled to any UC help please?
Thanks

OP posts:
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caringcarer · 19/11/2023 14:34

Badbudgeter · 18/06/2023 13:55

I earn £2.2k a month and get UC, it’s designed to help working families. I know some people are snippy about people in work claiming benefits but it’s what the government have said my family needs to survive and they aren’t known for their generosity.

I couldn’t afford to work without the UC as sums don’t add up. If it helps I’m entitled to £1550 a month and get less than half of that after the taper. It makes more sense economically from a government standpoint for me to work, pay tax, NI and pay into a pension than it does for me to sit on my arse being economically inactive claiming £1550 a month. UC I’m given is pretty much equal to tax, NI and council tax.

I wish the government would just fund 100 percent child care full stop. Then all those who chose to work could.

Catsknowbest · 19/11/2023 14:09

Ignore the negatives. The benefits calculators are pretty accurate but if you're unsure of the final figures Citizens Advice will double check for you

Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 14:02

Badbudgeter · 18/06/2023 13:55

I earn £2.2k a month and get UC, it’s designed to help working families. I know some people are snippy about people in work claiming benefits but it’s what the government have said my family needs to survive and they aren’t known for their generosity.

I couldn’t afford to work without the UC as sums don’t add up. If it helps I’m entitled to £1550 a month and get less than half of that after the taper. It makes more sense economically from a government standpoint for me to work, pay tax, NI and pay into a pension than it does for me to sit on my arse being economically inactive claiming £1550 a month. UC I’m given is pretty much equal to tax, NI and council tax.

That is a help thank you x

OP posts:
Badbudgeter · 18/06/2023 13:55

I earn £2.2k a month and get UC, it’s designed to help working families. I know some people are snippy about people in work claiming benefits but it’s what the government have said my family needs to survive and they aren’t known for their generosity.

I couldn’t afford to work without the UC as sums don’t add up. If it helps I’m entitled to £1550 a month and get less than half of that after the taper. It makes more sense economically from a government standpoint for me to work, pay tax, NI and pay into a pension than it does for me to sit on my arse being economically inactive claiming £1550 a month. UC I’m given is pretty much equal to tax, NI and council tax.

Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:55

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 18/06/2023 13:41

That seems about right. I am bloody pleased that UC makes it feasible for both partners to work.

Ah I wasn't sure as it sounds quite a lot x

OP posts:
SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 18/06/2023 13:41

That seems about right. I am bloody pleased that UC makes it feasible for both partners to work.

Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:32

Lougle · 18/06/2023 13:30

I missed the three children, sorry.

@Carlotta367 it's probably right. About £300 of your childcare costs are over the limit, but you'll have £1108.04 in childcare costs on your award.

UC is ok for working families or where there is disability in the household.

I misread the result, it said £1744 was the UC award, and rest child benefit.
It does seem quite high but most of it was childcare x

OP posts:
TonysGaff · 18/06/2023 13:32

To answer your question, @HarassedByASasquatch. Yes, it does entitle them to benefits.

It is beneficial overall for the government to contribute towards childcare costs to families on low incomes to help both partners get back to work rather than relying on 1 income and benefits. Taking a long career break to raise young children until they are all at school is detrimental to the stay at home parent's career and long term earning potential. It is also bad for the economy to have a large number of the work force at home for 5+ years.

The government takes the view that it is better for parents like OP to go back to work, if they want to, so they are not stuck in a trap because they are finacially better off living on benefits than working because of childcare costs.

If you are in receipt of UC, the state will pay 85% of the childcare costs while you are at work. UC entitlement also only reduces by 55% for each £ you earn to ensure that you are always better off working ie for each £ you earn, your benefits only reduce by 55p.

Lougle · 18/06/2023 13:30

I missed the three children, sorry.

@Carlotta367 it's probably right. About £300 of your childcare costs are over the limit, but you'll have £1108.04 in childcare costs on your award.

UC is ok for working families or where there is disability in the household.

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:30

@Carlotta367 you’re more than welcome. I hope it’s sorted quickly and gives you some peace of mind. Times are tough enough without having to struggle unnecessarily.

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:27

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No, with both working they shouldn’t be in a position to need to claim benefits. If you’re angry then stop voting for a government that is actively keeping wages low despite inflation rising. It’s the government who decided that they’d rather hold people to benefits rather than have a working economy where people can move upwards.

Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:26

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:25

Ignore the ignorant ones. I never tell anyone what I get because they would breakdown from rage, but I’d dare them to live in my situation for more than a day. Some people would happily bring back workhouses and institutions rather than live by a social benefits society.

Apply for the UC. The new system is there to help working families - that’s why being genuinely work shy doesn’t work on UC. The more you work the better off you are on this system. It’s shit that it’s come to having to apply for benefits to actually live adequately but that’s how it is for millions these days.

Show quote history

Thank you so much x

OP posts:
Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:25

Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:17

Sorry the UC amount is £1770, the extra was Child Benefit.
It deducted income.
It just seems high. Most of it was childcare element and housing.

Show quote history

Ignore the ignorant ones. I never tell anyone what I get because they would breakdown from rage, but I’d dare them to live in my situation for more than a day. Some people would happily bring back workhouses and institutions rather than live by a social benefits society.

Apply for the UC. The new system is there to help working families - that’s why being genuinely work shy doesn’t work on UC. The more you work the better off you are on this system. It’s shit that it’s come to having to apply for benefits to actually live adequately but that’s how it is for millions these days.

Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:24

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Thanks for your input 😆

OP posts:
HarassedByASasquatch · 18/06/2023 13:22

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lalalalalalaleeee · 18/06/2023 13:21

TonysGaff · 18/06/2023 13:17

Why would you need benefits with those wages?

Um.. because £1,263 + £1520 income minus £1625 + £895 childcare and rent is £263 a month, @HarassedByASasquatch

How are a family of 5 supposed to pay bills and live on that? Presumably OP is asking to see whether they are worse of with her working than staying at home and looking after the DC.

This

The childcare support is to enable both parents to work... once all the kids are in school they lose the support anyhow

Around 40% of people who claim UC have jobs, it's not just a benefit for the unemployed

Eesh!

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:20

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Inflation vs cost of living has greatly increased. You should be angrier than people are working and raising the next generation without getting a pay that reflects it. Because one day you’ll be actually old, if people stop having children due to not being able to afford it then this country will truly be in ‘dire straits’.

Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:19

TonysGaff · 18/06/2023 13:17

Why would you need benefits with those wages?

Um.. because £1,263 + £1520 income minus £1625 + £895 childcare and rent is £263 a month, @HarassedByASasquatch

How are a family of 5 supposed to pay bills and live on that? Presumably OP is asking to see whether they are worse of with her working than staying at home and looking after the DC.

Thank you.
That's exactly why x

OP posts:
Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:18

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Good for you. You obviously didn't need help.
Always one isn't there. I suppose if I don't work and sit on my arse you'd moan about that too 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:17

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:13

If you entered the details correctly and honestly then it should be correct. Did you read the breakdown of what the payment would be and did it add in the deductible income at the end?

Show quote history

Sorry the UC amount is £1770, the extra was Child Benefit.
It deducted income.
It just seems high. Most of it was childcare element and housing.

OP posts:
TonysGaff · 18/06/2023 13:17

Why would you need benefits with those wages?

Um.. because £1,263 + £1520 income minus £1625 + £895 childcare and rent is £263 a month, @HarassedByASasquatch

How are a family of 5 supposed to pay bills and live on that? Presumably OP is asking to see whether they are worse of with her working than staying at home and looking after the DC.

HarassedByASasquatch · 18/06/2023 13:16

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Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:15

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Because their childcare is more than either a single income each month before rent is even added? God people moan there are too many people not working then moan when they do and childcare is extortion. Can’t win.

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:13

Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:10

I just did the calculator above and said we'd be entitlted to £1985 a month in UC?!
Surely that's far too much.

If you entered the details correctly and honestly then it should be correct. Did you read the breakdown of what the payment would be and did it add in the deductible income at the end?

LlamaFace19 · 18/06/2023 13:13

@HarassedByASasquatch their childcare bill is £1600 a month.

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