To ask for help with universal credit? As a sahm

[CallingPeopleACuntOnFb]

I honestly cannot find the answer to this anywhere 😩

I work in a support role helping parents and i have a service user who’s very worried about UC coming in. She has depression / anxiety anyway and it’s really getting her down.

She’s a SAHM to 3 dc, 3 year old twins and a 6 yo. Her dp earns 26k a year working long and irregular shifts. He works 45-50 hours a week. so being a SAHM is her only option atm as they also both have zero family support.

They have a mortgage so wouldn’t need or be eligible for the “housing benefit” element. She’s in Leicester. At the moment they receive tax credits but will move to UC at some point (no idea when)

She wants to know if she will still be able to be a SAHM as work isn’t an option for her while the DC are so small.

I have no clue, I don’t claim myself, we don’t even get TCs anymore and as I said I can’t find any info online other than the benefits checker on entitledto. Which says she’s eligible for UC at a similar amount to her tax credits. but says nothing about whether she’s going to have to job search as a condition of getting the money.

It’s so bloody complex ! Hope someone can shed some light 💡 x

The state already pays out a lot even to families on £100K a year or more. Education, NHS treatment to mention a couple of things. Because that is the system we have and is their for people to use if they wish though they might prefer to go private. I think it is for the good of the community and children as a whole that the free education for three year olds is on offer.

Having children and looking after a high earning husband isn't any kind of career for any woman to aspire toIMHO. If people wish to think of it as one that's up to them. But they won't persuade me.

Shelley

Did you misread my post?

I was agreeing with you.

Disgusting how many people are saying she should go out to work. If she feels that she cannot, then it's not good for her MH to be pushed into work just because she's getting a top up from the government.
Plenty of other people never use benefits because they would rather sacrifice other things than try to claim.
And no one seems to judge the rich SAHMs who have tons of money and do not need to work, ever!

Thats just the point though isnt it smurf

People can spend all day swinging from the chandelier if they want to. It's when you ask someone to pay for it that they pass judgement and conditions.

I was agreeing with you.

Apologies, I did misread it.

And no one seems to judge the rich SAHMs who have tons of money and do not need to work, ever!

Why would we judge them?

We’re not working to pay taxes so that they can SAH.

I don’t think it’s at all fair that for several years... (I think) from approx 2000-2015 it was perfectly ok, normal and acceptable for a family to have a FT working parent and a SAHP topped up by tax credits.

And now they’re pulling the rug so it’s no longer an option and not only that it’s now actually shameful

I just think it’s unfair bullshit.

Well, it was normal but there was also a lot of resentment between the haves and have nots, as well as concerns about how much 'help TCs were.

TCs have been the worse invention ever. They caused the stagnation of wages in the first place. There are too many 'faux' jobs in the UK. If you can't earn a decent wage after working 48+ hours a week and need a top up then what is the point?

Although I personally would rather work now my kids are bigger but I absolutely loved staying at home when they were tiny.

I honestly Feel sad for new mums now (who aren’t high earners) that they won’t have the option

You might have loved it; it doesn't mean it's good for people.

I don’t think it’s at all fair that for several years... (I think) from approx 2000-2015 it was perfectly ok, normal and acceptable for a family to have a FT working parent and a SAHP topped up by tax credits. And now they’re pulling the rug so it’s no longer an option and not only that it’s now actually shameful

To say that it was seen as "normal and acceptable" doesn't make it more affordable in the state budget.

I am not trying to benefit bash at all, and there was a time when I was in receipt of both housing benefits and tax credits so I have been there myself. But I think it is dangerous when benefits are starting to get seen as "normal and acceptable" rather than a short term help when you've fallen on hard times.

No it’s not for everyone! But it’s good to have the option

It's really not good at all to have the option to rely entirely on anybody for a source of income, whether that's a man or the state.

But the “state” can afford to pay for people’s childcare, which in many cases is more than a sahp would receive in TCs

Also the “state” can afford to waste billions on implementing UC and bullying people into jobs when there’s not even enough jobs to go around !!

It’s Just ideological bollocks

calling, there's a huge difference.

Let's say I have a job I drive to, and then I get a medical condition and can't drive. The state might subsidise me the cost of a taxi. There is still an overall profit from me working, as well as tax benefits for the state.

If the state said 'tough, sort it out yourself, but hey, we will give you money to stay at home since you can't get to work that wouldn't be very conducive, would it ?

In an ideal world no it’s not good to rely on the state or a man ! Absolutely agree there trust me!! And it’s certainly what we should all aim for

But not everyone is able to get a highly paid secure job to ensure thats never the case

Absolutely. And I am all for the carrot and stick approach but a resort to whole hearted vegetarianism misses the point as much as the alternative.

I honestly Feel sad for new mums now (who aren’t high earners) that they won’t have the option

It's new mums who are high earners who don't have the option surely? I earn 10x what DH does so I absolutely didn't have the option of being a SAHM. Not if we wanted to eat.

Sorry meant who’s dp’s aren’t high earners 😳long day

I do think working is better for all over mental health even if it’s voluntary/ few hours. I am having chemo at the moment so not at work and can’t wait to go back. I would have every right/ reason to stay at home and get top rate DLA but I can’t even begin to explain how Work makes me feel worthy again (and honestly I think it sets my sons a good example- disability should not stop you from being able to succeed)

I do wish though that the government would spend more on prosecuting errant fathers who don’t chip in to the upbringing of their children. If I could rely on regular income then I wouldn’t need as much help from the state. It really boils my piss....

I agree with all that, wanna