I’m a single mum claiming a UC top up AMA

[cadburyegg]

There’s a lot of negative press and misinformation about benefit claimants so thought I’d start a thread. I work nearly full time and have 2 children. Ask away.

Do the kids' Dad contribute to their outgoings? How much?

Why is your employer not paying you enough to live on, without having to claim UC?

What do you do that is so low paid that you work nearly full time and still need UC top up?
Do you get any free childcare funding? Or are they in school?

Other than food etc when they are with him, nothing at the moment because he is barely working according to the CMS.

Difficult question to answer. I think whoever sets salary scales assumes a dual income household. However, I am about 2/3 of the way up my employer’s pay scale. I work in a skilled job which requires a degree.

What’s your favourite pizza topping? (Can see the benefit bashers flogging here with their hate so here’s a light one for you )

Can you provide a breakdown of your earnings and other income from benefits, so people can understand the breakdown of your income.

I’m a developer. I am not senior but not junior either. I earn the going rate (slightly less maybe) for someone in this career.

My children are both in school. The childcare isn’t free, but I claim 85% of my youngest’s after school club costs through UC.

What do you earn? Do your DC get free school meals?

🤣 your username is very appropriate.
My favourite pizza topping is plain cheese (margarita) 🍕

Sure.
Take home pay £2250
Child benefit £171
UC £170 approx depending on childcare costs.

35k a year. No, free school meals are only for families with an income of less than £7400 I believe.

Previously if you had a low wage, you needed to work overtime, get a second job or get a better paid job.

Is it true to say people now want to earn a low wage because of the additional freebies?

You would be in favour of a single mum leaving her kids alone while she worked overtime or a second job? Because childcare outside the 8- 6.00 window is pretty rare (and many settings' hours are even more restrictive than that).

Previously, housing costs were a lot less so a top up wouldn't have been necessary.

Do you have any childcare costs for before and after school clubs and holiday clubs in addition to your UC of £170?
is UC and child benefit paid 4 weeks ie 13 payments a year?
Does there dad contribute any child maintenance?
Do you get any housing benefit? What's your mortgage /rent? Sounds very tight

IME your first point still stands. I’m much better off working 30 hours than 22 hours which is what I was doing when my exh and I broke up.

I know you weren’t asking me why I’m doing this, but it just isn’t possible for me to work overtime (overtime isn’t available in my job anyway) or have a second job due to my children.

Onto your question, I’m not aware of any freebies that make it financially more attractive to work very part time. Free prescriptions and school meals are only available to those on extremely low incomes, it certainly isn’t worth reducing one’s hours to that extent.

What's your housing situation?

Is your top up purely for childcare and will end when your children no longer need it? So it will be tougher for you when they are older? Or will you balance that out by increasing your hours?

Thing is, the OPs wage isn't that low really. Only a couple of grand from the UK median wage. Prices are just insane now and wages haven't kept pace.

1. What is the maximum household income you can receive to still be entitled to claim UC?

1. Is it true one can choose to work part time, therefore earn less, and then claim UC to top up income?

I saw this on another thread recently, where the OP said she and husband both worked PT then claimed UC to top up their income. I couldn't believe this was true. But is it true? Can people do this?? Could I drop from full time to part time then simply claim UC?!?

hello OP,

I am a single working mum doing full time hours and just want to say how brave you are putting yourself out there.

Im interested to see the responses on this thread. Being in receipt of UC has obviously taken the pressure off in terms of making life a slightly less financually stressful but the vitriol received has definitely impacted my wellbeing. I try to stay away from the views a lot of people hold and am really hoping to secure a better paying job so that I can stop claiming. Really hoping 2026 brings this.

God knows how I could fit in a second job these days what with all the unpaid extra hours I work, no family support and a child too young to leave.

£35,000 a year is a decent salary. Close to the average salary.
So do you get UC because that's your total household income?
Or can anyone claim it if they earn that salary??

What second job would you suggest - that a single parent could fit in around their actual job and look after their child?

Don't you think it's such a shame that so many working people need to rely on benefits to have enough to just about survive?

What do you think could be done by the government and society/employers to change this situation?

I am also on benefits and hate to hear some of the awful and ill educated things some people say on here! X

This is changing next academic year when you are youe children will benefit from FSM, so that should hopefully help with the food bill if their school has decent food on offer.