Universal credit

[Ashleigh30]

Hi just needed some mums advice I am on universal credit I lost my first child in july 2018 and I am pregnant again. Universal credit want me to apply for jobs even though I am starting a course with them to get some experience on the 28 of Feb 2019 . I am stressed out worried about this baby and feel like I am getting forced to get a job I don't want to aplay for a job and then say I quit when baby's born as I want to spend time with my child instead of putting them childcare while working. I don't see the point in having a baby if your going to not be with baby as baby needs there mum. What do u think I should do I feel like kicking off with my work coach at jobcentre and telling him my baby comes first I just worried my money would get stopped.

The state can’t fund your time at home because you don’t want to work. I would love to be at home with my DD but I have rent and bills to pay. Once baby is born you won’t be required to look for work the first year, then you will required to start thinking about work then the 3rd year it’s preparing to work- courses, cvs etc

Do you really think universal credit is meant for you to have freedom to choose? No it's money for if you cannot work. Which you can.
So unless you can get a sick note (because you are too unwell to work) and until the babies born, you do whatever you can to earn money.
Afterwards, they can help you with childcare costs or you could work from home?

The days of people having kids for benefit money are gone (if they ever existed beyond the Daily Fail scrounger narrative). So you work, or you study, or you struggle and your kids live off food banks donations.

When is the baby due? Could you look into temping?

Don't you want SOME money for when baby is born... children are not cheap... and child care fees while you are working is the least of your problems.
Try and work... it's hard but not as hard as not working and realising that there is no money for anything or being stuck on NMW jobs age 40.

You can't refuse to look for jobs as they will stop your money. Until your baby is born you will have to jump through their hoops I'm afraid.

I'm not judgemental about people on benefits as I had to go on income support when I separated from my husband but I wouldn't have intentionally got pregnant if I didn't have a job.

What is your situation? Is the baby's father involved?

Being on benefits is not easy when you have a child. I struggled.

The rules are pretty inflexible. Even if you're unlikely to get work because you'd be leaving it very soon (whether for your course or your baby), you're still expected to apply for stuff.

I think their expectation of you working is reasonable. Obviously currently being pregnant may finding a permanent job may be difficult but perhaps you could do temporary work through an agency until after your child is born.

I want to spend time with my child instead of putting them childcare while working. I don't see the point in having a baby if your going to not be with baby as baby needs there mum.

I'm guessing a lot of tax payers who pay for the benefit you receive would quite like to stay at home with their baby too but don't have the choice and prefer to earn what they need for their family.

If you 'kick off', you WILL be sanctioned. If you fail to meet their requirements, you WILL be sanctioned.

You're going to have to play by their rules and apply for jobs.

(notice I'm not having a dig about taxpayers and the like, I am sticking to the reality of your situation, in that if you want to receive an income, you will have to do exactly as they say.

As long as you record in your journal online that you have been searching and applying for jobs then they have to keep paying you, just keep quiet and don't argue with them and draw attention to yourself, as this could make things worse for you when you see them in person. Its not likely you will get offered a job anyway with you being pregnant and when your six months gone you won't have to do jobsearching.

Did ye, aye?