SAHD

[Richardn1749]

Im a Stay at home dad my partner has got a new job after we agreed since she had stayed home to look after our son whos now coming up to 3 years old and we now have a daughter whos 7 weeks old that for her sanity lol i would give up my job and stay at home to switch roles so she could get back out there earn the squiller and make some new friends just until the kids are old enough to go to school then ill be back out there aswell... sorry so my question is would i be entitled to any financial help from the benefits system we didnt need this when i was working as i had a quite well paid job but my partners is lower paid which we discussed and is ok her sanity is worth more to me than money lol ??

What are both your incomes?

mine now £0 my partners around 1500 month before tax

Have you quit your job? Why aren't you doing shared parental leave?

This depends on the reasons for why you quit your job and if the DWP accept them as 'reasonable'. I completely appreciate you've done what you have as it's good for your wife's mental health, however the DWP do not always look kindly on claimants who willingly leave better paid work (full time hours or higher salary etc.), knowing it puts them at a financial disadvantage.

You can do a calculator on Entitled To or Turn To Us by putting in your situation and wife's new income, this will give you an estimate of any potential benefits you are entitled to. It would then be up to the DWP Work Coach if you are entitled to a payment of any eligible Universal Credit (the main benefit which replaces all the old legacy benefits). If they aren't satisfied with your reasons for leaving your role, you can be sanctioned whereby you don't receive any help for up to 26 weeks.

In the meantime, it's worth noting that you don't get to stay at home on Universal Credit (if successful) until your children return to school now. It's expected from the youngest turning 9-12 months old that the primary parent will start returning to the workforce so you will be expected to look for work, prepare for interviews, do whatever training courses they ask of you etc. to continue receiving any potential support after that time. These are known as Work Commitments.

All the best ☺️

😬

@Richardn1749, did you fully quit your job or are you on parental or paternity leave? This could affect your benefits position.

You might find some of the other topics on that website helpful, too.
https://workingfamilies.org.uk/advice-information/