Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how I can return to work if it triggers UC?

31 replies

howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:35

I'm a SAHM single parent to 3 children aged 6,4 and 3. I'm wanting to return to work but I'm scared of it triggering Universal Credit. How am I supposed to pay childcare when I don't have any money coming in? You also have to apply for the 30hrs free childcare a term in advance, so how am I supposed to pay the top up fees until next term whilst I'm waiting for UC to be processed?

I'm also scared that the amount I get won't be close to the amount I have worked out and then it will leave me in the lurch. I have no savings at all and no family at all as I used to be in care, so there's no one I could ask to help me out.

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 19/09/2019 23:36

Why would you think it would trigger a UC claim?

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:37

Change in circumstances...

OP posts:
drspouse · 19/09/2019 23:39

When we got the 30 hours, we paid only for holiday hours though they were averaged out over the year. So if you only use term time hours I think you can then pay nothing?

MyDcAreMarvel · 19/09/2019 23:40

Most likely it won’t see below:

don't already claim Child Tax Credits but do claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or Income-related Employment Support Allowance and you start work with enough hours to satisfy Working Tax Credit condition - be asked to claim Universal Credit

don't already claim Child Tax Credits but do claim legacy benefits such as Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit and you start work but not enough hours to satisfy Working Tax Credit have a choice - either remain on adjusted exisitng benefit or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off

already claim Child Tax Credits and income based legacy benefits and you start work with enough hours to satisfy Working Tax Credit conditions have a choice - either remain on existing benefits with added Working Tax Credit or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off

are on Working Tax Credit and your hours fall below 16- be asked to claim Universal Credit

Are on Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and your hours increase over 16- be asked to claim Universal Credit
already claim Child Tax Credit and start work to satisfy Working Tax Credit rules stay on Child Tax Credit and add Working Tax Credit

Already claim Working Tax Credit and you increase your hour- have a choice - remain on adjusted Working Tax Credit or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off

Already claim Working Tax Credit and you become sick - be asked to claim Universal Credit

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:40

I'm referring to the code you need for the 30 hours, you have to apply for it a term in advance. If I don't have it then I assume I will have to pay for the top up from 15 hrs to 30 in the meantime.

OP posts:
JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 19/09/2019 23:41

It’s shit OP.

I moved house in April and my housing benefit was stopped as you have to put in a new claim but if I do it would trigger UC and I’m terrified of the 5 week wait and change to monthly payments fucking up my finances so I’m just not claiming housing benefit now. Its really tight.

MyDcAreMarvel · 19/09/2019 23:41

Am guessing you claim tax credits currently so you will be fine.
Very few change of circumstances trigger UC.

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:42

MyDcAreMarvel oh, thanks so much! I really hope that is the case :)

OP posts:
Catrabbit75 · 19/09/2019 23:43

Hi
If you are already in receipt of child tax credit, and you start work, it doesn’t trigger a change to UC. I was worried about the same thing. It just means that you may be entitled to WTC aswell as CTC

MyDcAreMarvel · 19/09/2019 23:43

You will get tax credits to pay towards childcare if you start work mid term.

Cleanmywindows · 19/09/2019 23:43

I'm no expert, but if you are returning to work and receiving 30 h free childcare for your DC, why would you need universal credit?

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 19/09/2019 23:43

If your currently receiving child tax credits then moving into employment shouldn't trigger a move into UC.
This is because it counts as a change of circumstances within the tax credit claim rather than a change necessitating a new benefit claim.
If you can, get yourself to a qualified welfare rights person and ask for a "better off calculation" to check whether you'd be better off working once all the variables are taken into account.
Failing that, log onto entitledto.com and have a play around with different scenarios.

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:43

Thank goodness, thank you so much! I really want to RTW but this has been putting me off so much. I'm so relieved :)

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 19/09/2019 23:44

Yes it will be fine op see here :
www.entitledto.co.uk/help/changes_that_trigger_Universal_Credit

MyDcAreMarvel · 19/09/2019 23:45

Really pleased you will get the opportunity to work without the stress. Hate what this government is doing to people!

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:47

@Cleanmywindows because I'm a single parent and will likely earn around 18k because I've been a SAHM for a long time. My 3 children will need wrap around care (breakfast and after school club) costing 75 per week each.

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 19/09/2019 23:48

Many people are actually better off on Universal Credit than the old benefits, especially working people. The 5 week wait for the first payment is obviously an issue, but you can request an advance payment to tide you over (nb this is a loan and has to be repaid so you would need to budget for that). If you are on Housing Benefit you'll get the "2 week run on" which means that it continues for 2 weeks after you have claimed UC.

OP, I assume you are receiving Income Support, Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. If you start working, your income support will stop but you can stay on the other benefits and will probably get some working tax credits too, which includes 70% of your childcare costs. However, if you do the sums you might actually find that you'll be better off on Universal Credit. There is a calculator on Turn2Us or you could ask Citizens Advice to do it for you.

Joxer It's madness not to claim UC in your situation, you are losing out on money you're entitled to. Please do it, you could get help from citizens advice if you need it.

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:48

My wages after pension would be like 1224, definitely not enough to support 3 children whilst paying rent and bills!

OP posts:
Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:50

I've done the calculators online and I should be significantly better off with the adjustment in benefits and my wage :)

OP posts:
OrangeYellowLeaves · 19/09/2019 23:51

Can’t you get a nanny or childminder for less than £225 per week??

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 19/09/2019 23:52

Sorry, my third child will be free with the wrap around care company so it'll be 150 per week :)

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 19/09/2019 23:55

Ha - I thought you were going to post about work triggering your ulcerative colitis. Universal credit is much better.

Cleanmywindows · 19/09/2019 23:59

That's not an unreasonable amount of take home pay.

What do you get in benefits at the moment?

Original poster
howyoulikemenow · 20/09/2019 00:02

1224 is about what my rent and bills (including debts) come to...so without any help from benefits we wouldn't be able to survive.

In benefits averaged out I get 1660.

OP posts:
Cleanmywindows · 20/09/2019 00:09

So presumably you would still be able to claim something? But perhaps not as much? 1600 take home is more than many people earn at work so you surely would not expect to maintain a benefit income at that level whilst also working? You said you will have childcare costs but you will get separate help with these, according to a pp above. What is it that worries you about a change to UC? Is it a reduction in your benefits due to how its calculated or the difficulties in changing to a new set of finances?