To be very scared at the details of the Universal tax credit?

[Feminine]

I had no idea.

I've been away from the UK, and just saw the actual proposals/rules on another thread.

Its bad right?

I imagine there is another thread on this so if there is, sorry ...I can't find it! :)

Yes that is mad isn't it! I had to apply for income based jsa in desperation for the last 8 weeks of my maternity leave (which I got btw, advise your friend to do the same) after I foolishly informed tax credits that I was no longer earning.

Thanks Eirikur i'll tell her. Although its a logical nonsense because she's not seeking a job... She already has one!

Sorry for bump but was wondering if anyone knows the answer to this?

Dp works 16 hours, I dont work. When this new thing comes in in April (where you have to work 24 hours to be eligible for WTC) will one or both of us then have to "sign on"? Is JSA changing part time hours from 16 to 24 too?

I've applied for as many jobs as i have seen that will fit round dps hours but have heard nothing back yet and i'm starting to panic, we can't afford to lose £70 a week, even if we cut back on our 2 only luxurys (virgin tv and our car) we'd still be £140 a month down :(

and if we give up the car getting a job will be even harder :( (looking for cleaning work which is usually really early or requires travelling so will need car)

Yes I think you will lose wtc, but you won't be able to get jsa as you haven't been working and paying national insurance. If the 24 hours can be across both partners then you should try to get work and claim tax credits for the cost of childcare. Or your DH needs to
Get a 2nd job if he can't increase his hours.

Its so hard to find a job to work round dp's hours though. (for him, cleaning isn't too bad as its usually early mornings or flexible) and the only job i've seen that he could do for over 24 hours was really for a woman (yes i know being sexist but it was a ladies shoe shop) I applied for it though.

So why can't you use childcare?

There are some real issues with childcare for the low paid.

1. Yes, you can claim up to 70%. That leaves 30%+ to pay. And 30%+ of a lot of money remains quite a lot of money.

1. Whole day fees. A lot of nurseries and settings require a full day fee or session fee regardless of how little time your child actually needs to be there. You can end up paying full time fees when in a part-time job.

1. Availability. It is very hard to find childcare out of hours. Most of it - the kind that is registered with Ofsted/LA and for which childcare tax credits are applicable - runs from 8am to 6pm. A lot of work currently available is shift work, eg 6am starts or late shifts.

Zelda, if your DP only works 2 days a week then even if your days clashed you would need very little childcare. Early starts or late finishes wouldnt matter on the other 5 days so you have a great deal of flexibility for both of you re work.

Great post NorthernWreck.