Advice needed about Universal credit

[duckyandbunny]

Nothing is set in stone yet, things are going slowly but well. Me and my kids dad split up around 4 and a half years ago when we just had one child. We had a couple of 'ended up in bed together moments' which resulted in my son being born. We never got back together even after our son was born. He's now 3.
We're taking things slowly but the feelings are started to resurface and I'm positive this time our relationship will work.

He works here and there repairing cars and painting them with a friend. He earns on average no more than £100 per week! He lives at the moment with his mom so he has no outgoings at all except £50 per month board. This money isn't ideal but he isn't very clever and is more hands on than pen to paper. He struggles with reading and writing and feels comfortable doing the job he can do.

Long story short I claim UC as a single parent obviously he doesn't give me any money because he's hardly got any himself. If he moved back in at any point I would certainly inform UC straight away but will they stop my payments? I'm confused but don't want him here if it's going to make myself worse off as it's very tight at the moment as it is. I should add I am applying for jobs everywhere but my son has only just gone 3 and just started nursery.

Any advice would help thanks

His income will be taken into account, but unless it puts you over the earnings threshold it shouldn't stop your claim, just reduce it

Thank you. Would I have to make a whole new claim? My first one took 5 weeks to set up

Anybody else have any advice on what to do

Bump

He will have to actively look for work labourers get over a 100 a day why can’t he do that and support his family

Agree with the above. Don’t put him on your claim as they will hassle him to find better paid work and tbh he sounds a bit useless. He should be making £100 per day. Not per week.

Forgot ‘feelings’ you can not rely on this man. It sounds like you have had no financial support for 4 years. How could he do this to you or the children?

You just go to report a change of circs- living with a partner. You’ll get a linking code- write that down. Then he will have to make an account and add in the linking code to join the claims.
Is he self employed or paid through PAYE? If self employed, he will need a self employment assessment after his ID appointment

I do think yes he will be more of a financial burden to me if I do allow him to move in. He wouldn't be able to contribute well really anything as he hasn't done for the last 4 years. I have no idea how he's paid I think it's just cash at the end of a job when it's done. I think it's probably a bad idea

I've told him he needs more stability in a job but because he's worked with cars from 13 apparently that's all he knows He hasn't got any gcse or any kind of qualification

If he’s paid cash in hand here and there universal credit will be a nightmare. He will have to look for proper paid work or risk being sanctioned. His money is taken into account in the overall calculation, is he working self employed with records?

When making a marriage work finances are as important as any other factor, is he prepared for joint finances?

Why doesn't he do a mechanical engineering apprenticeship? Then he can become qualified in something he already knows how to do. Even apprenticeship wages are more than he's getting now.

He (and you once youngest is at school) are expected to look for full time work. There's courses, adult education classes etc that he might be able to take to increase his skills. He needs to take proper work as a mechanic rather than odd jobs. Flip it around, why should we be paying for your family for the long term? He needs to grow up before you let him back into your house

Focus on getting yourself a settled life and income, date him if you love him, but doesn't sound like you need yet another mouth to feed.

He can help you with childcare if his income is so low which might facilitate you getting a better job?

I am actively seeking work part time as I want to pay for my own family and don't expect to live off this forever trust me I get £1100 per month rent included which is £575 straight out per month. I wish I could get a job it's just childcare that is the issue

Won't uc expect both of you to look for work?

If you're more employable than him then let him do the childcare and you go out to work. They wont expect you both to work full time. On a joint claim you can earn up to £287 a month without it affecting your Uc amount. He will need to declare the earnings though, it's not worth risking it. you wont need to go 5 weeks without payment. Just declare you are now a couple.

He should be working full time and paying for his children. £100 a week is a ridiculous amount for a father to earn.