To think I can go on benefits instead of returning to work?

[UniversalCreditOrNo]

NC for this.

Let me start off by saying this....up until
February last year, I have never not been in work. I got my first job at 13, was working full time and living alone at age 21 (before which I worked 25 hours a week alongside my studies) and it was only last year when I decided to go travelling that I ever found myself without employment. I got pregnant at the end of my travels, and here is where I find myself.

My daughter is now 6 months old. In 3 months time, I’m supposed to go back to work. How do people afford to do it? Childcare is £56 a day where I am. On my current minimum wage job that’s a take home of around £30 a week....before tax and NI.

My partner is on around £20k and I can rely on family for 1 day a week childcare. So here’s my AIBU. Can I go on benefits, instead of going back to work? Is that a thing people can do?!

I don’t know how it works. My area is universal credit....is there even such a category for this? It’s not jobseekers as I wouldn’t be looking for work, and it’s not like I’m signed off with illness or disability.

My partner is convinced we can because he doesn’t earn a lot and ‘this is precisely what the benefits system is for’. However....his mum is a serial benefits user....everything from being a stay at home single mum until her youngest was 15, until now where she’s signed off for an injury from 3 years ago she still claims is affecting her work ability All I can think of is the stigma behind choosing to go on benefits, but right now I can’t see another option.

I don't think you're eligible for any benefits with 1 child and a £20k salary coming in sorry.

Yeah sorry. No.

You just do what the rest of us do and deal with it. If you can work you should work.
Doesn't even sound like you'd be eligible .

Would a childminder be a cheaper option? They are significantly cheaper here than a nursery place.

I don't think you can just get benefits for just not wanting to work. You'd have to go through the motions for jobseeker's and apply for things, etc. Especially as you have another income in the household.

You a rent married
You’d be in a difficult position
If you were studying I assume you have a degree?

Can you work your way up a bit for a better paid job!l! Even part time?

You can check to see if you would be entitled to benefits on your partner's salary.

But you also need to consider the benefits of staying in work and how difficult it can be to get back into work at a later time

If he works during the day get a part time evening job. Or a weekend job. Why am I going back to work after my mat leave to pay tax for you to sit on your ass doing nothing all day?

The benefits system isn’t there to fund your lifestyle choices. HTH.

Wow....friends warned me Mumsnet was harsh, but this is unreal.

You could always make an appointment at the job centre and tell them your dilemma

No, you can’t. Look for a better paid job or a cheaper childminder. What about part time work?

This is mild for AIBU!

You'll just have to get a job in evenings and weekends if you can't get childcare during the day. I'm self-employed but I work evenings after looking after 9mo DD all day. It's a sacrifice I have to make as I don't want to put her in childcare yet but I want to earn money, so I work in evenings and at weekends when her dad can watch her for a few hours.

You mention studying while working. Do you have sifficie

Pathetic indeed that childcare costs so much that people think going on benefits is a better option.
Pathetic because you all attack the person instead of attacking this shlhole place that subsidises huge fat cats’ paychecks but women to go back to work with reducing childcare costs. Pathetic indeed.

My friends got precisely 25p a month tax credits on a similar income, use "turn to us" to calculate what you can claim

Sorry - meant to say do you have sufficient qualifications to get a better paying job?

Yeah, you can see that the stigma starts close to home. You're judging a single mother for staying at home but want to do the same with a partner but don't want to be judged? How does that logic work?

@Celehelly finally...a helpful comment rather than judgemental crap.

I love earning my own money....I always have!! But I can't stand the thought of sending her to nursery. They're not great in my area and to pay £56 a day for the privilege just makes my head spin.

So, go back to work and bring home £30 a week... or find cheaper childcare as suggested... you’ll be fine.

If you split up with your partner, you can stay at home on benefits until your child is three years old

I had planned to go back to work full time after having my baby but when it came to actually going back, I just didn't want to use all of my wages paying someone else to look after my dc.

I got a part-time job in evenings/weekends so I look after my dc when dh is at work and visa versa. We don't get much family time but it's not forever, our dc gets great one to one time with each of us and we minimise childcare costs.

I think your partner's wage is above the national living wage so (like us) you wouldn't be entitled to any assistance from the state.

It's worth looking at childminders I think. They'll be cheaper and it's a smaller, more personal setting, and might be a bit more flexible.