to think most part-time workers don't know what's about to hit them?! (Universal Credit)

[aufaniae]

Do you work part-time and get Working Tax Credit or Housing Benefit?

Did you know that once you're on Universal Credit, you'll be expected to attend the Job Centre to prove that you're looking for better paid work / more hours, in much the same way as unemployed people must prove they're looking for work.

If the Job Centre find an interview for you, you will have to attend (with 48 hours notice) even if it clashes with your paid work.

If you are offered a job with more hours, or better pay than your current one, you will be obliged to take it, even if you have good reason for not wanting to e.g. it's only a temporary post (whereas your current one is permanent) / has no training & worse prospects than your current job / makes picking your children up from school impossible / requires you to travel much further / has nothing to do with the career you're following.

If you don't attend the interview and/or take the job, your UC will be sanctioned, you will lose the UC for months or even years (depending on if it's your first infraction).

You will be forced to continue "upgrading" your job until you earn the equivalent of minimum wage for 35 hours a week.

I suspect there are lots of people (e.g. parents who work part time so they can pick their kids up from school) who will be affected by this, but don't realise it yet.

More info here

I agree with dark re internet. It's years since I've come across a vacancy that didn't need to be submitted online. Preempting the library argument; they are closing a lot of them and many people don't live close to one. Lucky for me I do but the reduced opening hours means each member is rationed to one 30 min session per fortnight which is insufficient for effective job hunting.

On top of that many schools set homework which must be done and submitted online. Not having home internet would mean that the children of that household would not be able to fully engage on education. Not having full access to education as a child is below a basic standard of living IMHO.

"I don't believe it is not possible to live on one wage tbh, as its what we have done for the past 20+ years, and it is the min wage."

The cost of living has gone up enormously in the last 20 years, particularly housing and absolute basics like food.

It is simply not possible to raise a family on one person earning NMW with no benefits if you're not lucky enough to be in social housing and you live somewhere with high-rents - London for example, paying rent to a private landlord. The going rate for a one-bed flat in the part of London I'm from (which is generally considered deprived!) is at least £1100 a month!

That's why things like WTC, CTC and HB are paid to so many working people, they're propping up low wages and high rents.

This is not about not having holidays, this is about affording the basics.

Aufanaie.

I meant to add, its not Tax credit per se I don't agree with. We have received this for quite a long time now. It is the assumption that as parents we are entitled to have childcare subsidised.
The pot is empty and people who earn alot more than most others believe they should be entitled to help.
I am not suggesting both parents shouldn't work, if they can afford to and its their choice. Imo if a parent decides to further their career by working and receiving childcare if they are losing money to do so, this is surely a life style choice and not necessity. Why should welfare fund a life style choice.

Out of interest just what am I spending money on that I shouldn't have a right to? I can't figure it out, I really don't think we are frivolous with our spending.

How do the changes affect a family where one parent works full time is 50hrs as week in shift work, so nights, eveningdy, days and the other is a sahm to children some school age, some under school age? If thgry just get basic children's tax credit, no working tax credit and no other benefits.

Depends on weekly income 5mad.

aufanaie

I know how much the cost of living has gone up and you are wrong about not mamaging to live on one wage. We are not in social housing and are now completely mortgage free as stated. So yes for the last 20 years it has been getting increasingly more difficult and the belt has been tightened further. We didn't live in London it was too expensive, dh was offered work there but it wasn't sustainable such high prices, lol.
You can live and work in any area you know.

How on weekly income if the working partner is earning above minimum wage is that OK or not?

A couple have to earn £425 per week between them to avoid conditonality. I.e. Signing on etc

A couple have to earn £425 per week between them to avoid conditonality. I.e. Signing on etc.

Does the ashes oif the children have an impact? So the non working parent would have to sign on even tho there is no way in could get a job/childcare to fit around dp's shifts? I need to work out how much he gets a week...

Ages of the children, not ashes...

Are tax credits going to write and inform people of the changes? If so when?!!

The rules vary for under 5s and 5-12 year olds but generally the Government don't care if you don't have childcare.

hi 5madthings

This is all really vague atm as the government are pushing through these changes without making announcements on the detail as they haven't actually decided it all yet

This should give you an idea however:

"The introduction of ?in-work conditionality? through the requirement to prepare, look, and be available for more or better-paid work is a new concept.

The intention is to apply it to claimants below a ?conditionality threshold?. For most claimants, the threshold will be set at the weekly national minimum wage for a 35-hour week. At current levels, this would be £212.80 for single claimants over 21, and £425.60 for couples (before tax). Claimants with young children, caring responsibilities and work-limiting health problems would have a lower threshold , equivalent to the weekly national minimum wage for the number of hours they are required to be available for work, as set out in their claimant commitment.

Claimants above the threshold would not be subject to conditionality. Those below the threshold would be subject to all the work-related requirements, including both members of a couple, unless one was already in full-time work. There will need to be (inevitably complex) rules on the calculation of pay, where it fluctuates."

From this page on the Child Poverty Action Group website.

If you have a child below 5, you won't be expected to do any hours (although they may expect you to attend the job centre to "prepare" for work).. Once your youngest is 5, you'll be expected - between the two of you - to do the financial equivalent of 1 full time job at NMW, and another at 24 hours, or at least I think this is what they mean, not entirely sure! You are assessed as a couple, so if your DP is doing 50 hours, the income form the whole 50 hours are counted towards your joint total. If you are doing under the threshold (between you) then you'll be expected to look for work.

You will be written to when it's your turn to change over. They are trialling in April then phasing in from October.

OK I need to find out the rules for under fives and under 12's. Lol how they don't care, there isntb childcare available, especially when you only get a rota a week or so in advance.

OK so I will have to attend the job center with the toddler in tow...

Aufaniae- you have just highlighted one of the major problems in the current set up. Housing benefit is very often paid to private landlords, that is welfare money going directly to the private sector. There is massive demand for housing in many areas, forcing rents up, increasing profits for landlords.

They ignore anything that doesn't suit them. Anyone who is not one of their cronies is expendable, at least it appears that way.

And between us we would have to earn the £425 so I would gave to earn enough to top us up to that amount...

"Are tax credits going to write and inform people of the changes? If so when?!!"

Good question! As the government haven't worked out the detail yet (despite launching the pilots in April), Tax Credits aren't in a position to tell us exactly how we'll be affected as no one actually knows the finer detail yet!

The test areas will start in April. Then it will be phased in from October, and then over the next few years. The first people to get UC in October will be new claims. If you have an existing claim, you shouldn't change over for a while, possibly not for a couple of years even IIRC.

Is it ?425 before or after tax?

Son the earliest it could affect us is next October but it might not be for a while after that...

Ah its before tax... Hmm