To ask for some help from anyone who knows a bit about UC?

[ThreadWorms]

I have been reading the universal credit thread in horror but not had the chance to read it all and I'm still unclear about the proposals.

The problem is, I have been offered an interview for a job that was offered full time initially, but at a late stage is being offered part time (there are 4 full time, 2 part time positions available). I have to let them know at the interview if I want to apply for the full time or part time.

I have looked into it and under current rules we would be worse off financially if I went full time due to the cost of childcare for 2 children (I am a SAHM presently). The obvious choice would be to go part time but I'm now worried about how UC will affect us if I were to go part time.

I have a partner, he works extremely long hours on £22,000 a year. I will be on about £6500 before tax if I get the position.

I'm not sure what to do, does anybody have any advice? I'd be extremely grateful .

Anybody?

I think you have to work 35 hours between you so it should be fine but hopefully someone else will know for definite.

Thank you for replying roulade. I'm just worried that they will encourage/force me to take a full time position if I opt to go part time. But then if I work full time I would basically be working to put my children in to childcare and in fact we would be worse off. There's so much conflicting info out there, makes it difficult to know what to do .

Your DH earns above the threshold joint threshold (about £19,000) so no you would not be forced to work fulltime.

Go to the policy in practice website and it has a universal credit calculator, would help you see what full time and part time would. Affect you. Also tells you if you would be required to look for more work

Thank you calendarbear. Do you know if we would receive any help with childcare or top ups? Under current rules, if I were to go full time we would only get a very small amount of help with childcare and our joint income would push us above the tax credits threshold. It's so difficult to understand what position we would be in when UC comes in. And it's making the decision about what to do that much harder .

Thank you Jojane. I didn't realise there was a calculator available. I will most definitely do that, it might make the decision easier. .