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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

UC

37 replies

Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 15:51

Does anybody else miss the old system working tax credit?. There seems to be no incentive to work more on UC and its waiting for the childcare costs to be refunded back if at all depending what you have earnt in that assessment period. I cannot understand why you have to wait longer than 4 weeks sometimes to claim anything back despite uploading a receipt anybody else fed up too?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 16:44

@WithACatLikeTread NO I haven't started a new job. I work 2 jobs but that's not the issue at hand. It's UC so for example to be clear my assessment period was 11th Jan till 10th Feb. As you said UC pay in arrears so partly is because I've paid early but I have to so secure a place & so my childcare costs get approval in time. Half term starts after my assessment period has ended (10th feb). Summer holidays is a nightmare. Tax credits you could call thenm up and also didn't you get a bonus for working 25 or was it 30 hours a week. I know some schools charge for breakfast clubs and after school clubs too. I honestly can't see what the incentive is to work more hours unless they sorted the childcare part out of the UC system because its a struggle at times. There's no valid reason that once you've paid for childcare it should be paid within 4 weeks maximum.

I genuinely think some people who comment on UC aren't fully aware of how it actually works....

OP posts:
WithACatLikeTread · 12/02/2024 16:35

Not having a dig. Have you started a new job or significantly increased your hours? They may pay it up front instead of paying in arrears.

DragonFly98 · 12/02/2024 16:34

Summer childcare costs are a huge issue for UC claimants. With TC your costs were averaged over the year. It very easy to have childcare care costs in the summer way in excess of the monthly allowance but not if divided through the year.

Original poster
Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 16:33

@WithACatLikeTread you don't always get it back. Don't assume. UC is am umbrella benefit and there tends to be a lot of assuming. How do you know what I may or may not get back? I've already pointed out to you that's it's UPTO 85% and here you are again having a dig. Is that what you have to add to the thread? 😅

OP posts:
WithACatLikeTread · 12/02/2024 16:31

Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 16:26

@WithACatLikeTread in reality people have to book playschemes inadvance because spaces of limited .Like I said once you've uploaded a recipt you should be able to get a some money back. For example I had to book in Jan for Feb. My cut off point was 10th Feb. My childcare costs won't be paid till March. That is how it works.

You are getting it back though? Just have to wait for it unfortunately.

Original poster
Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 16:26

@WithACatLikeTread in reality people have to book playschemes inadvance because spaces of limited .Like I said once you've uploaded a recipt you should be able to get a some money back. For example I had to book in Jan for Feb. My cut off point was 10th Feb. My childcare costs won't be paid till March. That is how it works.

OP posts:
WithACatLikeTread · 12/02/2024 16:10

Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 16:08

@Babyroobs ahhh so I should of added a positive that I find personally with UC. Having no overpayment is good and being able to see your total monthly earnings is great. The childcare paying upfront is an issue though as a single parent too I have to book inadvance and it means over a 6 week wait depending on my assessment date. People on UC can still work low hours because it depends how much your take home pay is (hourly rate). Once you've uploaded proof of childcare costs why do you have to wait?

It is because they calculate it using your assessment period hence the four week wait. They just pay for what you paid in that four week period. It makes sense as that is how UC works ie in arrears.

Original poster
Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 16:10

WithACatLikeTread · 12/02/2024 16:07

I have no issue with UC. I don't have a problem with it. I usually have a rough idea what we will get every month and if I am not given hours at least I have the back up from UC. Plus less likely to get an overpayment from TC. We have had to pay lots back. Some would say we are lucky to get 85% paid for childcare so maybe don't moan about that too much.

There are many variants with UC. It's UPTO 85% depending on what you earn. Sometimes I don't get hardly anything back. I'm entitled to moan because 6 weeks of childcare upfront in the summer holiday becomes expensive don't you think? Single parent too.

OP posts:
WithACatLikeTread · 12/02/2024 16:09

Interesting to read all the moaning from ones migrating over now. Years of plenty of savings and no pushing to work more hours unlike those who have been on UC for years. Lots of "too much hassle to claim UC" etc. Makes me wonder if they actually needed the TC.

Original poster
Sidebysws9 · 12/02/2024 16:08

@Babyroobs ahhh so I should of added a positive that I find personally with UC. Having no overpayment is good and being able to see your total monthly earnings is great. The childcare paying upfront is an issue though as a single parent too I have to book inadvance and it means over a 6 week wait depending on my assessment date. People on UC can still work low hours because it depends how much your take home pay is (hourly rate). Once you've uploaded proof of childcare costs why do you have to wait?

OP posts:
WithACatLikeTread · 12/02/2024 16:07

I have no issue with UC. I don't have a problem with it. I usually have a rough idea what we will get every month and if I am not given hours at least I have the back up from UC. Plus less likely to get an overpayment from TC. We have had to pay lots back. Some would say we are lucky to get 85% paid for childcare so maybe don't moan about that too much.

Babyroobs · 12/02/2024 15:55

There was no incentive to work on tax credits. People could work ridiculously low numbers of hours like 24 hours between a couple and be topped up with working tax credits. Then if you did end up working more you would end up with tax credits overpayments. Uc is a much better system, the more you work the better off you should be due to the taper rate. I agree can be a bit problematic but it is usually paid with your payment seven days after the end of your assessment period.

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