35 hours a week looking fo work

[Ludos]

I'm separating from my husband and have been trying to get my finances in order. We had a joint claim for tax credits which I tried to amend to a single claim, however they have cancelled the claim and told me I need to apply for universal credit instead.

I've gone through the online process and its telling me I should be able to work 25 hours a week, with a commute of up to 90 mins. Or, I should be spending 35 hours a week actively looking for work.

I have 3 DC, all at different schools. One is a 40 min drive. I'm currently retaking my GCSE's to allow me to go on to do an access course. Am I going to have to stop studying?

They will expect you to seek work for 25 hours a week, studying would probably not be taken into account because you can do that in the evening/after school when they are doing their homework. School runs for the 13 year old will not be taken into account unless they have sn. It sucks, I'm scrambling around trying to get extra work for the same reasons but benefits (aka the taxpayer) will not pay you to be a sahm, I actually get no benefits at all. I study in the evening btw

@Ludos, I've got three biology-based degrees, and I work in a biology-based job - please PM me if you ever need any help. Good luck with everything.

@WitchesGlove, @Ludos is re-taking some GCSEs as a mature student so that she can go on to take an access course - hats off to her.

Formatting fail 😄🤔.

Good for you OP with the college course leading to access course.

However I'm not really seeing why you can't work as well. You've become used to not working so the prospect must be terrifying. But most people have to work to live.

Are your 13yo and 11yo at secondary? They can make their own way there and back. The 8yo can go in breakfast club or after school club if needed. Plenty of other children cope with this fine.

This is a big change for the whole family, the OP and her children all have a big adjustment to make now that her DH/their DF has left. It is not unreasonable for the OP to want some adjustment time before taking on paid work and to be concerned about juggling all her responsibilities. She is not "lazy" or "workshy", she is studying to make herself more employable. It is not up to you decide whether or not that study is "worthwhile" or whether she should be considering alternatives - that is for the OP to discuss with her work coach.

I want a career. I don't a minimum wage job, that if I take now will likely mean I do it for the rest of my life.

And the career is hopefully within the NHS - I won't be in it for the money.

I am certainly not work shy.

'You don’t need 12 hours to study for two GCSEs' the learning commitment I signed when I started says differently

My 13 year old is at a school 40 minutes away. How do you suppose he gets himself there?!

OP it's expected that secondary school pupils use public transport to get to and from school on their own if they can't walk, cycle or have a school bus that takes them there.

Many children especially in the SE have an hour commute too and from school which they undertake in their own. (In reality all or part of the commute is done with friends.)

Thank you so much WannabeGlamper. That's so very kind of you.

Right now I feel like just driving into the central reservation and being done with it all.

It was Ok for the state to fund me to be SAHM when I had a husband, now I don't it's not OK? Now I have to deal with the fallout of him moving out, manage my emotions and the children's as well as maintain my studies - which, if I dont, I will liable for the full cost of both courses - and somehow get a job, as a single mother, when i can barely go an hour without having a breakdown

OP just be prepared that most of those at the job centre/phone lines will not give a fig about your circumstances, and yes you may be told that you can't continue your studies.

So you need to come up with solutions on how you do the school runs for your 2 primary aged children, fit in studying for 2 GCSEs and working.

ColaFreezePop - we live rurally. There is one bus per week that takes pensioners to the nearest supermarket.

I wouldn't be ferrying him to school for nearly 3 hours a day if I didn't need to.

ColaFreezePop I appreciate the reality check. I'm not sure I could cope if I didn't have this fore warning.

My 13 year old is at a school 40 minutes away. How do you suppose he gets himself there?!

you didn't mention special needs so I assume your 13 year old is not disabled? Why can he not get to school himself?

is there no public transport? how far is the nearest school and how far is the school he attendeds? under certain circumstances you can get help from the LA provided the school is a certain distance away and there is no public transport and no closer school.

@ludos I’ve PM’d you.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance

check out this link, OP and see if you are entitled to support

I haven't even considered school holidays - what do I do then?!!

OP I know it's hard but please try to ignore the harsh comments.

When you claim UC, your work coach will consider your parenting responsibilities including the fact that you will have to look after the children or find childcare during the school holidays.

They will also consider your health, so if you are struggling with your mental health at the moment, please do go and see your GP - most importantly so you can get some support and treatment, but also because they may feel it is appropriate to give you a "fit note" (actually a sick note) which will excuse you from looking for work while you are unwell.

It will get better and you do have support from some of us (if not all, sadly!)

I haven't even considered school holidays - what do I do then?!!

what most working parents do - use childcare such as holiday clubs?

It's always easy to find excuses not to work?

why did you have 3 DC if you have no intention to be also financially responsible for them?

And, another, that's not harsh. There a some pretty fair comments here.

I have a severely disabled child (and work despite no support from family/friends) but having many friends in the SN community, I know there are many parents who cannot work due to disability or caring responsibilities for a disabled child and I completely support that.

However, OP is able bodied. One child is a teen and the other 2 DC are in primary. None of the DC have SN. there is absolutely no excuse not to work.

The JC will take a similar view and rightly so!

why did you have 3 DC if you have no intention to be also financially responsible for them

Just wow.

why wow, ludos?

Is a justified question. Having children comes with the responsibility to provide for them. I am always gobsmacked when I read posts where poster have multiple DC but no intension to work. OP said herself she does not want to work.

Poor kids.

Why are they at 3 different schools? Get that sorted for a start. (You haven't mentioned any SEN).

The state didn't support you as a SAHM, your husband did. Otherwise you'd be entitled to more benefits now you're not together.

The state isn't here to support your lifestyle choice not to work.

My husband has been financially responsible for all of us. We made the decision that I would be a SAHM. For the last 13 years we have provided for our children. Not the state, not childcare, not friends and family. Us.

'Why are they at 3 different schools? Get that sorted for a start. (You haven't mentioned any SEN).'

Sure, I'll get hold of the LEA and ask them to shift to a two tiered system as that suits me better

Poor kids indeed.

Coming to terms with not having their father at home, and now, seeming, their mother too!!

'The state didn't support you as a SAHM, your husband did. Otherwise you'd be entitled to more benefits now you're not together.'

We got tax credits, that they have now stopped as we are no longer a couple.