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Original poster

New UC rules to force both partners to work ??

722 replies

Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:07

I can’t find anything online about this but have heard it’s being changed as previously there had to be a certain number of hours worked but this could be by just one partner but now it’s being changed to make both work even though the total household hours don’t change??

This seems very unfair and taking away choice for some families in difficult circumstances. I just can’t find the official guidance is anyone able to link to it ? Thanks

OP posts:
3WildOnes · 29/04/2023 10:30

Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:24

its a very long wait for dla and some people get rejected , or it may not be at the required rate to be considered a carer so even short term it could cause issues for people under pressure already

Show quote history

There is currently a long wait. I have however never had a DLA rejected. If you have a child with sen and it is rejected then you probably need someone to help you fill in the form. To claim carers I have always found any rate DLA sufficient. You just put the reference number, again never had a rejection.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:31

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:29

It just seems petty - it’s like going to a shop as a couple and not being able to purchase something unless you both have the exact amount of cash to split the cost rather than just one person paying the full price which remains the same regardless !

It's not though, is it. It's you expecting a discount on that product because you're in a couple. If your income isn't sufficient to support you then before you claim benefits you should have exhausted all options to earn more income yourselves by working.

A PP said you would only have to work 12.5 hours per week each! That's mad when many single parents have full time jobs. Why should you be subsidised to be a SAHM?

But it’s been fine up till now and they aren’t changing both components it seems ? The amount worked stays the same you just can’t choose for 1 partner to do all of it ?

OP posts:
RagingWoke · 29/04/2023 10:31

@Citrusmuffin are you saying you haven't applied for dla/pip or carers allowance? If you genuinely have a child with needs that mean they need full time care and your own health issues so bad you couldn't work then you need to apply for them rather than whinge it's not fair that a vague 'other people' will have to look for work.

Being a SAHP is a lifestyle choice that you need to be able to fund yourself. There are plenty of single parents who work and plenty of working parents in general who would rather be at home.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
PaniniHead · 29/04/2023 10:31

It hasn’t been confirmed that the hours are split, it could well be the main carer for the child (as an example) would have a tailored set of hours. E.g. non lead parent is expected to work 35 hours and the lead parent is expected work a range of 16/25 hours etc, depending on the child’s age.

lifeturnsonadime · 29/04/2023 10:31

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:26

Everybody has different circumstances though.

Some may have a SEN child and be home educating .

Others may have a SEN toddler and want to be a sahm for longer not pushed into work with a 3 year old with additional needs

As I said if they aren’t increasing the number of hours required it seems petty as it just removes choice and flexibility for families with difficult circumstances

Lots of people have SEN children and work. Why should the state pay someone money because they'd prefer to be a SAHM? If you can't afford it you need to work! There shouldn't be a choice to make others pay for it for you, while they are working and sacrificing time with their own children to pay the elevated levels of tax to fund this for others. Sorry, but it sounds absolutely right that this should be changed!

Some SEN children can't be in school though.

This is a fact and the number is rising.

What happens to the child who can't be in school whose parent has to be in work?

There has to be a solution to this. Hopefully it will be covered off by the pitiful 'carer's allowance'.

If the state can't provide a suitable education then the parent shouldn't be doubly penalised.

Jonei · 29/04/2023 10:31

Waitingforsummer75 · 29/04/2023 10:18

If there are two adults in a household who are capable of working then this is exactly how it should be. I've never understood why it was ok for just one adult to work (and not even full time)

This doesn't make any sense to me either.

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:32

But it’s been fine up till now and they aren’t changing both components it seems ? The amount worked stays the same you just can’t choose for 1 partner to do all of it ?

Sounds like the changes should be more significant than they are then. Both people should be working full time before they can claim benefits to top up their income.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:32

RagingWoke · 29/04/2023 10:31

@Citrusmuffin are you saying you haven't applied for dla/pip or carers allowance? If you genuinely have a child with needs that mean they need full time care and your own health issues so bad you couldn't work then you need to apply for them rather than whinge it's not fair that a vague 'other people' will have to look for work.

Being a SAHP is a lifestyle choice that you need to be able to fund yourself. There are plenty of single parents who work and plenty of working parents in general who would rather be at home.

Why is it wrong to care about other people who may be affected by this ? Are we so unkind now that it’s just a race to the bottom 😞

OP posts:
Hogi · 29/04/2023 10:33

I think as long as help with childcare costs increase then both parents (in normal circumstances) should be okay to work.

I currently pay £1800 a month in childcare costs which I know everyone on MN earns over 100k a year but for a lot of families that's a hell of a lot, maybe even more than one parents full time wage so ..

x2boys · 29/04/2023 10:33

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:26

Everybody has different circumstances though.

Some may have a SEN child and be home educating .

Others may have a SEN toddler and want to be a sahm for longer not pushed into work with a 3 year old with additional needs

As I said if they aren’t increasing the number of hours required it seems petty as it just removes choice and flexibility for families with difficult circumstances

Lots of people have SEN children and work. Why should the state pay someone money because they'd prefer to be a SAHM? If you can't afford it you need to work! There shouldn't be a choice to make others pay for it for you, while they are working and sacrificing time with their own children to pay the elevated levels of tax to fund this for others. Sorry, but it sounds absolutely right that this should be changed!

Well.obviously SEN covers a very broad spectrum ,my child is nearly 13 but cognitively around two or three,he's completely non verbal at a special school for children with severe and profound learning disabilities,,we can't both work due to his needs but government recognise,s this ,which is why there is DLA, carers,allowance etc

3WildOnes · 29/04/2023 10:33

I think both parents would be expected to work the hours. Not shared between them. The whole point is to lift families out of claiming UC and reduce the welfare bill.

FloatingBean · 29/04/2023 10:34

If DC aren’t able to attend school the LA still have a duty to provide education, which parents cannot be obliged to deliver or facilitate in any way. This doesn’t apply if you are EHEing but this is part of the reason why parents should be cautious about deregistering and EHEing as it removes the LA’s duty.

Soontobe60 · 29/04/2023 10:34

Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:29

Yes hopefully.

I could understand this idea if they’d increased the amount of hours required but to do this and keep them the same just seems like removing choice rather than acting for any other reason

Show quote history

But it isn’t removing choice. Parents who choose to have one parent not work for whatever reason have still made a choice. I suspect many who fall into this category will soon find themselves a job.
However, parents who have a child with a severe disability or have a disability themselves where they are entitled to other benefits such as DLA / PIP still have the choice of only 1 parent working without it impacting their UC.
The choice is still there.
The only choice that’s being removed is that of 1 parent who is capable of working deciding they will be a SAHP because UC will fund that choice.

Jonei · 29/04/2023 10:34

A PP said you would only have to work 12.5 hours per week each! That's mad when many single parents have full time jobs. Why should you be subsidised to be a SAHM?

That is mad. I had no idea. Such low hours as well. Lone parent here who works full time. 🤷‍♀️

Waitingforsummer75 · 29/04/2023 10:34

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:32

But it’s been fine up till now and they aren’t changing both components it seems ? The amount worked stays the same you just can’t choose for 1 partner to do all of it ?

Sounds like the changes should be more significant than they are then. Both people should be working full time before they can claim benefits to top up their income.

I totally agree with this. Barring genuine exemptions an adult should either be working full time/looking for full time work or earning a full time equivalent wage before being able to claim top up benefits.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:35

I’m going to post on the WhatsApp groups I’m in with that link and let people know what to do in case anyone isn’t getting dla/carers as I don’t see why families under pressure should have their choice of how to manage their families needs affected when the total hours required to work hasn’t even changed. It’s petty they are only charging part of it to make life difficult for people.

I wish i could work but I can’t and I know of parents where their dc are waiting years for diagnosis and camhs, not getting dla and the dc can’t be left alone at all due to SH or other risks so im going to make sure everyone is aware of this and can claim what they need to.

OP posts:
PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:35

@x2boys fair enough. However from this post it seems that up to now it's been ok for a couple with children with no SEN/ disability to choose have a state-funded SAHP?! That's completely crazy.

P3N · 29/04/2023 10:35

I would love to work and help out in my household. I just managed to get PIP after lots of struggles (post aneurysm) I just scraped past the threshold by a point despite having many setbacks and I know come applying again in two years I won't qualify again. No one in their right mind will offer me a job with any significant responsibility because it would be irresponsible of them due to my cognitive issues. According to the posts above I guess that doesn't matter. Me and my DH should both be working. In their minds everyone who is entitled to PIP or DLA magically gets it and the government shits rainbows.

HoHobaaa · 29/04/2023 10:36

Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:32

Why is it wrong to care about other people who may be affected by this ? Are we so unkind now that it’s just a race to the bottom 😞

Show quote history

Do you have any single parent friends, currently having to work full time and juggle expensive childcare to keep a roof over their heads and kids fed? Those people are finding it pretty tough at the moment.

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:36

Jonei · 29/04/2023 10:34

A PP said you would only have to work 12.5 hours per week each! That's mad when many single parents have full time jobs. Why should you be subsidised to be a SAHM?

That is mad. I had no idea. Such low hours as well. Lone parent here who works full time. 🤷‍♀️

Same.

Soontobe60 · 29/04/2023 10:37

FloatingBean · 29/04/2023 10:34

If DC aren’t able to attend school the LA still have a duty to provide education, which parents cannot be obliged to deliver or facilitate in any way. This doesn’t apply if you are EHEing but this is part of the reason why parents should be cautious about deregistering and EHEing as it removes the LA’s duty.

The challenge here is that the children will be at home for 13 weeks of the year because of the school holidays. Many children with more severe disabilities have health issues that means they have lots of appointments to attend, may be off school sick a lot and their parents may well be exhausted just with the day to day challenge of caring for them. These parents need all the support we can give them.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:37

I get that UC are casting the net wide to catch all but my point is about families with difficult circumstances maybe not protected by dla or carers being affected

OP posts:
PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:37

P3N · 29/04/2023 10:35

I would love to work and help out in my household. I just managed to get PIP after lots of struggles (post aneurysm) I just scraped past the threshold by a point despite having many setbacks and I know come applying again in two years I won't qualify again. No one in their right mind will offer me a job with any significant responsibility because it would be irresponsible of them due to my cognitive issues. According to the posts above I guess that doesn't matter. Me and my DH should both be working. In their minds everyone who is entitled to PIP or DLA magically gets it and the government shits rainbows.

Nobody has said disabled people should work. Although as it happens I am disabled and work full time! But obviously disablities vary in their impact. The objections here are about people who are not disabled expecting the state the fund a SAHP!

FloatingBean · 29/04/2023 10:38

Soontobe60 · 29/04/2023 10:37

The challenge here is that the children will be at home for 13 weeks of the year because of the school holidays. Many children with more severe disabilities have health issues that means they have lots of appointments to attend, may be off school sick a lot and their parents may well be exhausted just with the day to day challenge of caring for them. These parents need all the support we can give them.

Show quote history

I am one of those parents. I know exactly how difficult it is. My reply was in response to OP discussing EHE.

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:38

The challenge here is that the children will be at home for 13 weeks of the year because of the school holidays. Many children with more severe disabilities have health issues that means they have lots of appointments to attend, may be off school sick a lot and their parents may well be exhausted just with the day to day challenge of caring for them. These parents need all the support we can give them

This all applies to my two children though too, and as a lone parent who is disabled myself I still work full time.