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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:
Simianwalk · 29/04/2023 11:58

We are a good example to some extent. DS1 didn't get an asd diagnosis until he was 9. Not through lack of trying but (and I hate this term but have no better) in the main because he is relatively mildly autistic. He absolutely could not be managed by a childminder or nursery. He was very aggressive to other children but we got no where with diagnosis. I mainly didn't work until he was older for this reason. We got some child tax benefits and these saved us, without we would have lots our home and then been homeless. I think his behaviour would have been much worse without me being around so much. I did a lot of one to one work with him. Even very experienced CMs couldn't manage him. He now manages at a main stream school, has good exam results and will be a "productive" human being. I am now back at work full time and have been for 10 years.

OMG12 · 29/04/2023 12:05

Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:19

Well I take it you don’t have health issues yourself plus a SEN child unable to go to school so you probably wouldn’t understand

Show quote history

But if the number of hours hasn’t changed then both parents can take care of the child,

Alternatively one parent can earn enough to come of universal credit so they can do as they please. One parent do evening work etc. The finances of the country are on its knees. We need to get used to supporting ourselves. Where there are two parents both can and should work unless they can support themselves.

AlwaysGinPlease · 29/04/2023 12:06

Soontobe60 · 29/04/2023 10:09

If a parent chooses to not work in paid employment, that’s fine. But should the state pay them for this? Probably not.

Absolutely this.

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PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:09

Crikeyalmighty · 29/04/2023 11:24

@PieInSpace you must be joking! I know someone with 2 at primary school who works 6 hours a week. Has a lovely HA flat and gets very good maintanance too ( around £780) and UC covering all her rent plus about £850 a month. She hasn't been queried once about her lack of hours and has made it clear she's fine as she is. I used to be very social minded- but bloody hell no wonder we've got issues.

That is just ridiculous. No wonder there's no enough money to pay decent amounts to those who are disabled.

Beezknees · 29/04/2023 12:13

Crikeyalmighty · 29/04/2023 11:24

@PieInSpace you must be joking! I know someone with 2 at primary school who works 6 hours a week. Has a lovely HA flat and gets very good maintanance too ( around £780) and UC covering all her rent plus about £850 a month. She hasn't been queried once about her lack of hours and has made it clear she's fine as she is. I used to be very social minded- but bloody hell no wonder we've got issues.

It amazes me how many people are willing to disclose exactly how much money they did. She just volunteered all this information to you, did she?

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 12:13

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:09

That is just ridiculous. No wonder there's no enough money to pay decent amounts to those who are disabled.

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Maintenance is always disregarded when it comes to UC though so this may be why this particular person appears to have more it’s just how they do the calculations

OP posts:
NewNovember · 29/04/2023 12:13

Snoken · 29/04/2023 11:26

There are huge benefits to both parents paying into their pensions, to remain working and not having long gaps in their CV, to leave the house and talk to other people etc.

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I am a carer used to be self employed but have recently stopped ,and I pay my Carer's allowance into a pension it's topped up with tax relief to £3600 a year. Over 30 years that's a £108000 pension pot 8k above the average pension pot in the UK.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 29/04/2023 12:16

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PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:17

Dibbydoos · 29/04/2023 11:30

I am very happy for the taxes I pay to support those who cannot work. That's the purpose of a social fund. But I want a more just society, which means everyone has to chip in. So those who can, should work. Eg for illustration, a couple with a child who receive weekly payments of rent allowance, £200, council tax exemption, £30, UC £300 would need to work just short of 51 hours a week (minimum wage) between them. If one has a disability, then the other works 25.5 hours; their fare share. This would mean that those who lose their jobs, can get their mortgages paid and aren't at risk of repossession (recently happened to a friend of mine who found it difficult to secure a new job vecayse of the type of work thry specialise in. She eventually landed a £92k pa job (slight inc in her previous salary), but for 9 months struggled to find anything - too experienced for more junior jobs in her field.

Why is this wrong?

Apparently UC will pay people's rent but not mortgages! So people who normally work and temporarily can't would likely lose their home if they have a mortgage. Ridiculous system.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 12:17

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🙄 I think I’ve now said about 3 times that in my case I also have medical issues meaning I can’t work. I go to bed at 8 pm each night sometimes earlier. Dh works 8-6 and gets home at around 645 pm so it’s not possible

OP posts:
ShowUs · 29/04/2023 12:18

I will never understand why a 2 parent family has 1 parent working FT and the other not at all.

So many people say how difficult it is being a SAHP and how the working parent has it easier - so why not just do part time each.
That way both are doing their fair share.

My sister is the opposite as she struggles to work FT whilst her DH is the SAHP.
If they both worked PT then things would be much easier but he won’t because he believes only 1 parent should be the SAHP.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 12:19

do people not realise too that often SEN children don’t sleep well so that his a factor for us too as we are exhausted- dh works and we are lucky currently that we can split things how we do

will be very happy to hopefully get dla and not have to worry

OP posts:
PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:19

Winterday1991 · 29/04/2023 11:36

This is fine in theory, but what about people whose wages are not enough to cover childcare?

UC apparently covers up to 85% of childcare costs if claimants do work, so I really can't see the excuse?

NewNovember · 29/04/2023 12:20

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Skive off many parents of disabled children are surviving on a few hours of sleep a night and eithe HE their dc or they are constantly sent home. They have to deal with very challenging behaviour half the night and in the day while their partner is at work and you want them to wirk evenings too! Just have a tiny bit of awareness of the world around you.

NewNovember · 29/04/2023 12:21

X post op - think we are waisting out breath some people have no empathy and will never understand.

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:21

I'm waiting for the government to announce single parents are to go back to work when their youngest is 9 months old due to the 15 free hours childcare when that kicks in.

And what's wrong with that? As a lone parent who doesn't claim benefits both of my maternity leaves were shorter than this because I had to return to my full time job to support my children. Why should I be funding others, who also have a partner to share earning/ childcare with, to stay at home for longer?

NewNovember · 29/04/2023 12:22

*wasting

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 12:22

NewNovember · 29/04/2023 12:21

X post op - think we are waisting out breath some people have no empathy and will never understand.

I’ve reported that comment as found it so unpleasant 😞

OP posts:
70Sarah · 29/04/2023 12:23

This country is on its arse because people think they should have a choice in working or sponging of those who work, I am a single mum of 2 with a SEN child I work 30 hours a week and support them myself. The state did not ask me to have children so why would I ask the state (tax payers) to pay for them?
so next time you have to wail 9 hours for an ambulance or the police can’t attend when some idiot has broken into your house, ask where all the money is going? Paying benefits to those who “choose” not to work rather than investing in services that help everyone. I am not talking about individuals that are unable to work due to serious health conditions, but let’s be totally honest here, most people can do some work, even if it’s voluntary to put something back into society. Individuals need to have a good look at themselves and take some responsibility

Flopsythebunny · 29/04/2023 12:23

Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:26

But others may not be and that is unfair if they have difficult circumstances

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 !

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Its nothing like that!

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:24

undoubtedly the government trying to drive down the welfare bill however they won't be lowering anyone's taxes.

I don't want them to drive it down. I think they should clamp down on people claiming benefits out of choice because they don't want to work, or work more, when they could. And use that money to pay much more to people who are disabled. And increase contributoty benefits like JSA for people who are claiming for being temporarily out of work, to be a proportion of their earnings like in most countries. And same for state pensions, make them in proportion to contributions.

throwaway201809 · 29/04/2023 12:26

People shouldn’t be able to choose not to work. If they’re too disabled to work, or are a full time career, then obviously they should be exempt from this.

But in a two adult household with no health issues, there’s no excuse for both not to work. Baffles me that this is currently allowed and they can claim benefits for a lifestyle choice. Even if they have to take opposite shifts to cover childcare

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:26

people on low/no incomes are the demographic of UC claimants

Bit it seems, in some cases, they are on low incomes out of choice because they barely work or don't work when they could! So that is a circular argument.

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 12:27

HamptonCaught · 29/04/2023 11:52

This is long overdue but won’t have much impact as most UC claimants are probably single mothers. Or living apart from their partner “on paper” so they can max out their claim.

This whole thread is about how couples are treated more favourably than single mothers!

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 29/04/2023 12:27

I also have medical issues meaning I can’t work

If you can cope with home-schooling a SEN child all day every day, you can work. Report me all you like.