To find this universal credit situation unfair

I don't see the issue with that as long as they work? It kind of makes sense to minimise nursery fees and spend time with your child if you can. I suspect that you along with many others would choose the same.

It is unfair but you'll have people here to tell you "go in benefits then, it's your choice" errrm slight issue, if everyone did that then the benefits system would collapse, that's why it is important better wages are paid and benefits are only for short term, not a lifestyle choice.

I meant the two year funding for two year olds from low incomes in England.

I am talking about people who actually CHOOSE to work part time to spend more time at home AND keep getting UC to top up their wages so they can afford it.

and no, I never used UC. When I was out of work I relied on my savings from my work. Which is pretty normal thing to do - benefits should be a SAFETY net for those who really can’t survive without them, not used for people who can earn but choose not to, because it is nicer to spend more time with their kids (of course it is; too bad those paying into the system cant spend less time with their kids).

(And I am on high income because I made a choice before starting university that I need to be in profession with high income, because my family was poor, and worked towards that)

Everyone earning under 100K is entitled to free childcare hours.

Well when you have to support two children with additional needs, one of whom has severe needs do come back and tell me if you still think being a SAHM is a lifestyle choice.

Keyworker only. It's going to be difficult for a lot of people to meet their requirements - and being unemployed and receiving Universal Credit would automatically disqualify them (even before having to stump up so much cash in advance, including a fee, which I thought was illegal now - good moneymaking thing to charge people to fail a credit check, though).

BEFORE PROCEEDING, PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE A CONFIRMED KEYWORKER. PROOF WILL BE REQUIRED.

The main or joint applicant must be in an employment contract for over a year which is permanent and not zero hours. We cannot accept student finance as a form of income.

Must pass an affordability check whereby rent and long-term commitments (loans, child support) do not exceed 45% of take-home pay + any benefits.

These homes are reserved for households with an income of less than £60,000 that do not own any property in the UK or abroad. Priority is given to NHS/Key workers.

If you are offered a property - your offer expires after 24 hours, in which you must submit all the required paperwork. You are expected to start your contract immediately after all the checks are complete.

Homes for Heroes offers 80% of the market rate rental homes with a choice of a 1 year tenancy which can be renewed depending on the conduct of the tenancy.

For more information about this property or to find out whether you meet the criteria for the scheme, please get in touch on the contact details above.

These properties are 2-3-bedroom family homes.

Upon move in, you will be expected to pay 1 month's rent and 5 week's deposit in advance.
The illustrations are of a typical finished Homes for Heroes property ready to let.

Whitegoods - They are part of the tenancy offer and cannot be exchanged or replaced by the resident.

Please E-MAIL your interest through Rightmove to be able to gain a viewing.

If you are looking for smaller properties, please enquire about IMR - Intermediate Market Rent properties.

Homes for Heroes is owned by Notting Hill Community Housing.

There is no sign up or tenancy fees payable, but you will lose an initial deposit of £150 if you fail the Credit Check and or we cannot secure satisfactory Landlord and Employers references. You are required to pay the £150 fee as soon as you are offered a potential tenancy with us.

As part of the eligibility process, it is advised that you do a credit profile check on yourself via Experian.co.uk to ensure that you have no CCJ's, bankruptcy or any involuntary credit arrangements as this will lead to you not being offered a tenancy with us. Please undertake this before you are offered a property with us.

If you are offered a property - you are expected to start your contract immediately after all the checks are complete (approx. 5-10 working days).

Upon move in, you will be expected to pay 1 month's rent and 5 Week's deposit in advance.

Just had a look out of interest at London LHA 3 bedroom rates and looked for 3 bedroom houses in London on Rightmove.

There's only one 3 bedroom house at less than the London LHA rates. It's £333pw and in Croydon so assume outer London LHA rate of £345.21 pw. Agent is called Homes for Heroes so guessing it's aimed at ex or current forces?

The next cheapest 3 bedroom house in London is also in outer London, in Erith at £369pw. That's higher than the outer London LHA rate.

@Greenbathroom see my above response

Either you're in social housing or you're in one of the very few parts of the country where housing is still relatively cheap. By no coincidence these are often areas with few work opportunities and what is available is mostly low paid (so people often still need benefits).

Edited as I posted before you I saw your update

No idea where in London you're getting full rent covered for private rentals. I know someone paying £1300 pcm for a 1 bed flat in London. The LHA rate in their part of London is about £1200pcm so a £100 shortfall. (He's not on benefits so it's not relevant for him).

From what I understand central London has higher LHA rates than where he lives so I assume you're in inner London? However the rentals are higher too.

A 3 bedroom house in inner London is almost always more rent than the LHA rate. Often a lot more. Also very few private landlords accept benefits in London. It's a hugely competitive market and renters often need offer above the advertised rent.

The only exceptions might be if someone is (illegally) subletting their social home. It's very rare to find a below market rent private landlord and usually there's a reason (place falling apart, possible tax dodge or something).

@TwelveAngryWhiskers I’m in London. You don’t have to believe me, it makes no difference to me! Here’s the LHA rates for my postcode/area.

Shared Accommodation Rate:
£149.59 per week

One Bedroom Rate:
£298.15 per week

Two Bedrooms Rate:
£356.71 per week

Three bedrooms Rate:
£448.77 per week

Four bedrooms Rate:
£604.11 per week

@Crikeyalmighty LHA rates don’t apply to Council/HA properties, I’m pretty sure it’s only Housing Benefit that applies for those in social housing. I rent privately

You don’t want to be in your in laws position and have a second baby or you’d do that. You’re jealous they are having another baby and need to deal with that emotion. It’s not fair to focus your feelings on them.

She doesn’t need a disability she could have the carers element for someone else, doesn’t have to be her DC’s could be anyone. There may be some other reason that her work commitments are reduced or lifted, that you don’t know about.

She may have slipped under the radar but she won’t have to pay the money back if the work coach hasn’t arranged a commitment.

The housing allowance for my area is £846 for a one bed flat. I’ve just had a look at rightmove and the cheapest one bed is £900. It’s 24 square metres, disgusting, and is effectively a corridor so you’d be absolutely fucked in the event of a fire.

ETA: next cheapest is a small one bed basement for £1000.

Well you are either making it up or she is. You have to earn almost £700 a month for the dwp to not hassle you, if she's earning that then she won't get full uc.

@FuckTheClubUp is it council/HA ? because in vast swathes of the country it's only these that come close to the housing allowance

No it's not unfair. Hope that clears it up for you. So tired of these benefit bashing threads. Very suspicious just as the tories have launched a pre-election war against the poor and disabled.

I’m struggling to believe this. What area are you in?

The difference is that you are buying your own home. One day it's paid for and you don't have to pay any more. They rent so will not own and once past a certain point she will be required to work

@SpeedyDrama but £60k is £3.5k a month after tax roughly with pension contributions,, and you pay back the child benefit on top of this. There's no need for a £5k a month rent

My neighbour is disabled and gets disability benefit. It's really unfair.
My friend has children and I pay for them to go to comprehensive school. It's really unfair.
My colleague's friend gets a plush council house, it's really unfair.
I'm so sick of this benefit bashing @happypickle - it's not unfair. It's supporting one another because, most likely, everyone will need some help at some point.
If you can't see that then more fool you.

Maybe you should fuck your career off and you and your partner should get jobs in a nursing home or hospital porters or tesco or something. If you give up your property and find a rental you'll get some help towards rent.
Live the dream.

Not true tbh, I’ve had my full housing costs paid for years. Now that the LHA rates have finally gone up this April, I can move to a more spacious property and my full rent will still be covered

I stayed at home to raise my children. Now I'm in my 40s, a single parent, I don't own property, I am about to be evicted, I can only get minimum wage jobs as I have no work record or experience and I'm relying on a small inheritance to get on the property ladder. In order to do this I will have to move hundreds of miles away and hope I can find another job there. I am not allowed to have more than a few thousand pounds in savings without losing my benefits, although if I buy a property with my inheritance within 6 months it will be ignored.

I don't heat the house above 17 degrees. I avoid using the car. I only buy short dated meat and freeze it as I cannot afford full price. I forage, grow my own and eat out of date food. I flush the toilet with the bath water .I have to watch every penny and shop around for the best deals. My car is 15 years old... I do enjoy getting a good deal but it's not a great life.

What you are doing now will make your life in a few years infinitely easier and better than your in-laws'. That's why you're doing it! You have so many options they do and will not ever have.