To think being forced to get a job when a student is ridiculous?

[onedaybabywelbeold]

I am a 29 year old single mum, I have just finished my 3rd year at uni and going into my honours year. I worked for 10 years full time before going back to education. During the term year I receive student loan which is topped up by universal credit. I have about 1100 pounds to do me for the month so it's doable but tight.

Now that uni is finished for the summer I am obviously getting more universal credit to see me through. However, today I had to meet with my work coach and he told me I should be job hunting for a job over the summer and should treat job hunting as a full time job.

I told him that I might struggle to get a job as I can only work during the hours my daughter is in school, I have no one to help me and she finished school for the summer end of June. Also I told him it would be hard to get a job as I would be leaving again in September, to which he suggested I stay in a job whilst at uni as 'you don't really have to do much work until the end of the year'.

To be honest I don't really want to work when at uni, I mean I wouldn't be any better off than I would be on universal credit yet running with a substantial decrease in time so why would I? Honesty I don't understand the point in this, surely it's just wasting employers time as I'm not very serious about getting a job as I don't have the childcare. However, I'm worried that if I don't get a job they'll start reducing my payment.

AIBU to think the system is absolutely fucked?

"If she had no children then I'd say yes, work. If she had support of her childs father I'd say yes, go to work. But I think the sw degree is too heavy to do without childcare support."

So basically keep rewarding people for making multiple costly shit life choices, at the expense of those of us who didn't?

As a SW who worked through all of my degrees I think you are looking at this the wrong way.

Knowing what it is like to clean at a hospital and stack supermarket shelves, both jobs I've done, can be really useful for helping service users understand that you have some idea what normal working life is like.

Yes people I work with want to know I know what I'm doing work wise but also being seen as someone who has some practical experience of paying bills also helps.

If recruiters only interview candidates who worked whilst studying then I guess that goes some way towards explaining the levels of unemployment among disabled people

@onedaybabywelbeold

But I'm at uni to ensure that I can get a job I will actually enjoy (hopefully) and work as the next 40 years (hopefully) so surely they would rather I concentrate on my studies than juggle everything and possibly fail? It's one thing if I'm sat on my arse doing nothing then yes, definetely put the pressure on to get a job. However, I'm not, some people may do uni, work, placement, run a household and raise their child alone with little support but I honestly don't see myself managing that. I also volunteer on top of that.

You're not thinking this through. The government doesn't care if you volunteer. They don't care if you enjoy your job either. Or whether you get an amazing degree or a so-so degree due to lack of time to work on it. The rules are the same for everyone. Universal credit is there for those who acually need it, not those who'd rather claim than work. The aim of working, as far as the government is concerned, is to get you off benefits. That's it. Benefits aren't there to give you a basic income and you only have to work if you can earn more. Benefits are there to help those who really can't work. That isn't you.

Sorry, I'm in the majority too, UC shouldn't be for you to kick off your shoes and enjoy your summer, you can easily get something. I used to work at the university term time, and temp in offices in holidays.
Phd days I worked as a locum scientist, in student teaching and had a Sunday job at car dealership
Jobs are s sil able plus you've experience as you worked before

Ffs I had a job in every holiday as an undergraduate. You'll get significant help with childcare costs in your circumstances and university based childcare is usually heavily subsidised. You sound workshy with a hearty Dose of self importance. You might not find anything suitable but not to even look is ridiculous. You may find employers will prefer a current work history too.

Oh and "why would you work to earn the same as on benefits?" Because you'll be sanctioned if you don't. That's how the government 'persuades' people to do the right thing.

Theres so much going on in this thread I don't know where to start.

Will OP be on 40% Tax when she leaves her degree in social care to work in social care - no. Its more like low to mid 20s salary. Could you earn as much without a degree - probably. Does this matter - no.

Still in the grand scheme of COVID job shortages I would much prefer a position goes to someone who actually will stay long term. So theres no point OP being in a job for a few months and taking that from someone who actually wanted and needed it. Makes no sense for UC/ taxpayer either let alone morally.

So YANBU OP, but only because of Covid.

I can see not working while yo are at school, but I've never heard of someone just choosing not to work over the holiday. Even the rich kids I was at school with were expected to work.

Some people didn't find jobs but they absolutely looked for them.

Are you just upset that you can’t have three months paid summer holiday off to spend with your daughter . Being realistic no one is going to employ someone who will be leaving in a few months . Unless it’s a summer temp job and not many of those going about . Suck it up and do as they ask look for a job . Chances are there aren’t many going about. But if you want to get UC then you have got to follow the rules like everyone else .

I done a social work degree as a single parent to 2 children and had a job as I always had an issue with claiming benefits unless I absolutely had to. It was so hard but I didn't fail.

It's up to you what you do but I don't think coming on here to ask opinions about whether you should claim benefits and not work so you can pass your degree is wise as not many people will think that's okay.

If you are coming into social work you are going to need reliable childcare - if you can't work late don't go into frontline until you can be flexible.

It is a bit presumptuous to think you will just walk into a job because there is a need for social workers......believe me this is not true at all. I interview lots of NQSWs and I wouldn't employ many of them even if they were the last sw on earth! You have come over very defensive and argumentative in response to opinions you don't agree with which you may need to work on if you are planning on going into sw.

You have come onto a forum asking if you are being unreasonable not to get a job during the summer and wonder why people who pay tax in order for you to claim benefits feel that you are being a bit entitled! 🤔

@PerveenMistry

Should have thought of that before you chose to have a child as a "single mum."

Can't her father watch her while you work? Why should taxpayers give you a summer at leisure? No doubt we'd all like a few months off.

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time, eh?

This is just such a load of shit that I don't even know where to start. You're either being incredibly stupid or deliberately ignorant, not sure which.

@Galaxyinmypocket

I cant see how the OP can do a social work degree, take care of her child, run a house AND do a job? As a lone parent surely this would really impact her child? ...just like every other working single mother then?

So another child should suffer, and another single parent should struggle on?
I do empathise with those who do have to juggle these things but not everyone has free childcare in the form of friends and family.
If she was to work then majority of her wages will pay childcare

That's nonsense. I'm a single working mum and the majority of my wages don't go on childcare. You get help with costs via tax credits.

I work in social care and the majority of student social workers with children do not work whilst at uni. Can you speak to Student Services or get some advice from Citizens Advice as this seems strange he is pushing you to get a job whilst being a full time student.

This is on the Turn 2 Us website

Claimant commitment

To be able to get Universal Credit, everyone has to agree to a claimant commitment.

If you are claiming Universal Credit as a student who has taken time out from your course, you may be expected to take some actions as part of your claimant commitment. You will have to talk with your work coach to find out.

If you are claiming Universal Credit as a student under 21 doing a course that leads to qualifications up to A level standard, you will not have to do anything under your claimant commitment.

If you are claiming Universal Credit as a student and you receive student income such as a grant or loan, you will not have to do anything under your claimant commitment.

Even if you don’t fall into either of these two groups, you might not have to do anything under the normal rules on claimant commitments.

Examples

Marta

Marta is a single mother to a 10 year old. Marta is doing a full time degree-level course, but could not get a maintenance loan because this is her second degree. Marta will be expected to agree to a full claimant commitment, and if her course means this is impossible to do, she won’t be able to get Universal Credit.

Alec

Alec is a single father to a six-month old. He is also doing a full time degree-level course and also didn’t qualify for a maintenance loan. However, because his son is under one Alec has no work related requirements, so he is able to claim Universal Credit.

Another .gov website states
“ What about part-time students?
Yes, part-time students can also get Universal Credit but will also need to be available for work when not studying”

So I would definitely seek further advice about this OP and ignore people on here who are not in your situation.

[quote onedaybabywelbeold]@GiantToadstool I'm not sure, but I have placements on top of that so why would I work when I would be coming out with the same amount of money than what I could not working? But I'd have so much less time to focus on my child and my studies and placement. [/quote]
Wow.

Poor diddums.

Just to clarifyas that @onedaybabywelbeold

Oops complete post fail there! 🤦🏼‍♀️. Meant to say to clarify that post was in reponse to me not quoting me!!!

Where do you think the money for your UC comes from?

Why should other people work so you don't have to?

Dropping into this thread as usual...

Number one, you will be at least £292 a month better off working, as a lone parent UC ignore that much in wages. They ignore even more wages if you do not have housing costs on your claim, eg if you are a homeowner or live with family. However. If you get help with mortgage interest through UC (the loan they offer) this will be withdrawn if you have ANY earnings at all and you will not be able to reapply for another 9 months. This is not helpful for people trying to improve their situation.

Number two, UC do not expect you to work during your course if you are a FT student in receipt of student finance.

HOWEVER. the work-related requirements DO apply to you during months your student loan is not deducted from benefit, ie the month your course finishes (usually June) up to when it starts again in the autumn. This applies to 2 parent families as well, the one who is a full time student is not expected to look for work in term time. The work related requirements applied during summer depend on the age of your child.

OP I am a single Mother to 2 sons, I've gone back to uni to study Nursing. I also work as a Relief Support Worker, because I can pick and choose my hours and so I can gain more care experience as I worked in HR prior to this degree. I know what you're saying about it being worth your while, I work for over 4 hours, deduct fuel and dog walker money (as I'm out the house for 5 hours after travel then it's time to collect my children), I earn just over £20...but that's enough for a coffee, or swimming, pays for gym membership so I look at it like that. Who am I the shun money which I need!
Maybe look at the pros of working...I bet you'll find a support worker role and you'll be able to further put theory to practice.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND LOOKING FOR WORK
If you claim universal credit (UC), what you have to do in terms of looking for work can range from having no work-related requirements to having to look for full-time work. Note: during the pandemic work-related requirements are likely to be minimal.
If you are a student, there are no work-related requirements if you are:
n under 21 (or 21 and turned 21 on your course) in full-time non-advanced education and without
parental support; or
n eligible for UC as a student and you are in receipt of student income which is taken into account for UC (ie, a student loan, or a grant for maintenance). Note: this does not apply if you are eligible because you have taken time out of your course due to illness/disability or caring responsibilities, and have now recovered or your caring responsibilities have ended. It also does not apply over the summer vacation when student income is generally ignored.
If you do not fit into one of the two bullet points above, you may nonetheless have no work-related requirements under the general rules, for example if you are responsible for a child under one, or you have limited capability for work-related activity.
If you do not fit into any of these groups you may be subject to all work-related requirements, and would therefore have to be available for and actively seeking work.
You may be sanctioned if you are subject to work-related requirements and are not meeting them. A sanction would mean a reduction in UC equal to the amount for an adult.
Example
Stella is 23 and on a full-time non-advanced course. She has a five-year-old child. She does not get a loan or bursary. She is subject to all work-related requirements.
Paula is 23 and on a full-time non-advanced course. She has a five-year-old child. She gets a further education maintenance bursary. She has no work-related requirements.
Laura is 23, on a full-time advanced course and gets a student loan. She has a five-year-old child. She has no work-related requirements.

Being a mum is a job, being a single mum even more so. You have the right to look after your child on the summer hols and not starve or go homeless.

Erm I don't think it works like this.
I can imagine my employers response if I turned around and said I have the right to look after my child in the holidays.....

I get that it's challenging for the OP but it comes across that that she just doesn't want to do a job she won't find interesting or enjoy ..... well unfortunately you don't always have a choice.

I run a masters course which attracts mainly mature students, most of them are women and have children. There is a placement element and the course is pretty intense at times. It's very rare for my students not to be working.

I worked 2 jobs to put myself through uni. Didn't have children but was a full time student. 1 was to gain experience in my field, one was waitressing. I also stacked some shelves as well during the summer.

My husband did his PhD whilst working full time

I can't believe you would rather tax payers pay you stay home that earn your own money

So this time next year the OP is applying for jobs.....

"So tell me OP what you did during breaks from study"?

"I sat on my arse and claimed benefits, because shelf staking and cleaning work is boring".