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

[howyoulikemenow]

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.

It's the points I raised in my original post.

From using the calculator I would get around 1800 additional monthly help in benefits due to having no income in the previous tax year, but obviously come the next tax year I would get less according to how much I earn in this one. I cant do a pound sign on my laptop as the key isn't working!

So I'm not worried about the help I would get, just about what I said above. However, it appears UC wouldn't be triggered so it's cleared up now.

I had assumed that a change of circumstances would mean I'd be rolled out onto UC but according to the above it doesnt :)

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

Yay! Good for you, OP.

See a welfare rights officer and use the turn2us calculator (entitledto gives incorrect housing figures at the moment and should update soon).

Another nice little bit: If you’re signed up online with your tax credits etc you’ll see really quickly what the changes will be. I’ve recently done a similar change and the HMRC letter took around 3 to 4 weeks to come through (which in itself is fairly quickly) but I was able to check the change to my upcoming payments online within a week.

Brilliant, I am signed up. Thank you :)