Honestly? I'm a single disabled mum with several mh conditions to a disabled (now adult) child.
Those calculators are a guideline only and rarely accurate. Because everyone's circumstances are very individual.
I'm currently on legacy benefits (ESA, DLA, housing benefit, council tax benefit) and have been for almost 10 years as I haven't been close to well enough to work.
I am DREADING anything changing. I've been advised by those who know the system inside out to avoid change for as long as possible because it's being VERY poorly managed at the moment.
I have to wonder if you've not been keeping up with current events on this issue?
Benefits have been frozen, meaning in real terms reduced, for several years. UC is a complete fucking farce, some people have been left without any money/income for several months/up to a year.
The rules are constantly being changed - and NOT in favour of recipients.
There's a huge stigma to being on benefits at the moment as this govt has done an excellent job of demonising recipients in both msm and SM.
You WILL get people even complete strangers making comments to you and your children if they find out.
The income is not guaranteed and in your position if you default on your mortgage you'll lose your home. It's bloody hard to get housing if in receipt of benefits. Also would you be in breach of the terms of your mortgage if you quit work?
Re work - it's an employers market and I don't see that changing anytime soon especially with brexit.
I (in hindsight falsely) thought I was well enough to return to work a couple of years ago. I hold 2 degrees, a wealth of experience and excellent refs, I was applying for a wide variety of roles nmw up, part and full time even seasonal, locally and including commuting to my nearest city which is a 90 min train journey away...
I made over 300 applications and got 4 responses - all rejections.
I was supported by a specialist work coach, had my cv & letters pulled to pieces, was advised which employers were more amenable to applications from people who'd had long career breaks and even were sympathetic to disabled/mentally ill.
It's incredibly hard to get back into work after a break of more than about 3 years - that is what not only the work coach I was working with but several friends I know who work in recruitment around the country were telling me. And my understanding is that now with brexit that's become even worse.
There aren't even many college courses now to refresh knowledge/provide recent qualifications to show prospective employers because of the cuts.
You need to think very carefully before you decide.
I'd advise you speak to someone LOCAL re benefits as these vary locally too, I always use the councils welfare rights office. They not only know what system your locale comes under they also know how long the backlog for processing applications is too. Some parts of the country are managing the 6-8 weeks that is supposed to happen, others as I said many months before you see a penny.
Also speak to several people with LOCAL knowledge of the job market from a recruiting standpoint. They will know the reality for people returning to work after a long gap and likely have a good idea of the likely outlook for next 5-10 years if they've worked in recruitment for a while.
Personally I'd say avoid if at all possible. I'm grateful for the help I've received while also recognising it IS being very tightened up and this govt is making it much much harder to claim than it has been in the past.
Being on benefits is NOT easy.
Mimi - it is unfair BUT not in terms of benefits being "too much" I can assure you they're not! But in terms of wages being ridiculously low! Employers should be paying an actual living wage and not be getting subsidised by tax payers. It's a piss take especially when multi billion £ companies are paying nmw!!