How many jobs per week am I expected to apply for on universal credit

That's what working parents do 😁

12 years is a bit too long I agree but I think it should Be for a child under compulsory school age that one parent can be a SAHP with no work commitments if that suits the family better. Especially with such high levels of SEN and huge waits for dla this could really really help or for those who just want to make that choice perhaps for their own MH or any other reason - it should be an equal choice till csa.

They don't. As above, once youngest is 3, you're expected to work.

Why should the taxpayer fund your SAHM lifestyle for 12 years? 😬

Doesn’t affect me, but bollocks to that.

I simply couldn’t be racing around like a blue arsed fly to make it all fit in.

‘pride’ be damned.

Yet still dependent on benefits paying 85% of childcare and we all know how expensive nursery is. It should be a choice with a child under compulsory school age whether you work or not if on benefits

It gets her back into long term work and out of dependency

Yeah your right. I will rephrase it as you don't need to work if you have a under three.

It’s low touch work commitments for under 3. No work commitments under one.

Under one you don’t have to meet with a work coach at all. At around one, you have to have a “preparing for work” meeting. Between one and three, you usually have a monthly meeting. After three you have to go and meet them weekly until you’re working enough hours.

Technically they are doing nothing wrong as even UC give you no work commitments for under three's.

Perfect! You totally deserve the opportunity - best of luck for your studies!

Thank you

Can you give us a breakdown then of income, rent etc?

But paying 85% of childcare costs costs the taxpayer a lot more ? But that’s ok ?

Well, there is if you're expecting other people to pay for that choice. Sorry, but that's the reality.

They expect you to utilise the funded hours, but generally at 3, it's 18 hours a week at NMW that you have to work. They'll pay up to 85% of any childcare above the funded hours, so you can work more.

How can it be considered a 'life choice' or a long term plan when there's a 2 child benefit cap and the DWP requires parents with children over the age of 3 to be looking for/available to work for 30 hours a week?

You are full of hot Daily Mail garbage juice. Stop spouting it about round here, please.

Because that’s only what us mugs do 😆😆

Good news op, I hope that's taken some of the stress off your whole situation. I hope you are safe given your circumstances. The best of luck with your studies and I hope you find a fulfilling career at the end of them.

@Praying4Peace was talking about people who "live on benefits" having "comfortable lives". Other posters who were 'living on benefits' have disputed this, having personal experience of it. @Praying4Peace then said that wasn't her experience... But she has had no experience of it, apparently...

Also, if @Praying4Peace was entitled to the housing benefit and childcare entitlement when she was working full time as a single parent and she DIDN'T use it, she is an absolute fool and chose her pride over her children's living conditions. Classic bootlicker.

It’s amazing that someone always ‘knows’ someone not fully declaring circumstances and therefore believes that life on UC for the majority isn’t that bad/not a motivation to return to work. You don’t actually know someone who’s better off on benefits, you allegedly know someone who claims benefits and doesn’t declare any additional income that may be coming into the household. There is a distinct difference.

No, my experience relates to those I know who claim benefits as single parents. Furthermore, some of those claiming as single parents actually aren't.
These are the uncomfortable facts. Benefits should be an interim support system and not a life choice/ long term

you can work full time and still receive benefits - particularly for rent and childcare - depends how much you earn.

You don't have experience of being on benefits, though? As you claim you worked FT as a single parent. So you have absolutely no experience of what it's like. I suspect you have been consuming too much garbage from the likes of the Daily Mail and other such craprags.

The jealousy on here - its always a choice - albeit DWP do drive you forward. OP I hope you find something that suits soon, care work or cleaning is always flexible, after school care work ie childminder can also be good. SMaller cafes and food places often happy with shorter working hrs. for busy times of the week rather than each and every day etc.

Eventually they will expect you to send of x no of applications and for wider and wider opportunities - all a bit pointless to me as if you don't fit the criteria you are not going to get anywhere - just use standard email and cv and gear it to the type of work you want.

Use the system as you need, do what you can and good luck in job hunting and study.