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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to help me work this out?

724 replies

Lulu2021 · 16/10/2021 13:25

My head is a mess as I'm going through some relationship difficulties with a young baby and I'm trying to make sense of my entitlement to financial help.

I've done a UC calculation a few times but it comes out with an amount that i think is an overestimate.

My details are;

  • FT salary of £47,126, net monthly income £2,516 after deductions.
  • 2 DC (ages 15 years and 6 months) - no childcare costs for eldest, costs of £700 pm for youngest when I go back to work from mat leave.
  • child maintenance of £120 pm for the eldest child only.
  • private rented property
  • no other benefits claimed
  • no significant savings

It's telling me I'd be entitled to in the region of £650 pm as a single parent. Does this sound right? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

OP posts:
Watchingyouwazowski · 16/10/2021 23:21

Good Luck, OP. I was in a situation where I needed to claim UC fairly recently, too. It was nerve wracking waiting for the decision but the amount I got was exactly what I’d worked out using a benefit calculator. Mine was probably slightly simpler, as I have a mortgage but I’m pleased to be getting some support. Hope it all works out for you.

Angiedx · 16/10/2021 23:21

Iyes I have the student loan too but many more years to pay still

Great to see that you have that extra coming in the next year when the student loan is paid off as will hopefully relieve some pressure

Hope everything works out well for you and your girls 💐

Lightisnotwhite · 16/10/2021 23:23

@Whatamesssss

Everyone saying the OP should not be entitled on that salary.

Can you not see that it is better this way?

If she gets no help, she will have to give up her job, claim a lot more money and also pay no NI or Income tax. The public purse would be worse off.

Please think and engage critical thinking before posting bile.

But if someone can’t afford childcare costs on what is a top 15% salary then there is something really wrong. The options are get a second job ( taking in ironing, cleaning or childcare are favourite suggestions to single mums on low pay), reduce outgoings or make changes to your job so you don’t have to pay so much childcare. Taxpayers shouldn’t be propping up a relatively well paid mum.

And one of the children is 15 so able to help out/ get a job/ buy their own bits if required.

Babyroobs · 16/10/2021 23:26

I don't really think it's fair to be suggesting op should take in Ironing on top of a full time job, or that a 15 year old should be helping.
It's the bloody dads who should be stepping up. It is shocking how so many get away with contributing nothing.

Original poster
Lulu2021 · 16/10/2021 23:27

But if someone can’t afford childcare costs on what is a top 15% salary then there is something really wrong.

Yes there so something really wrong. My partner and I took out credit agreements in my name, that he agreed to pay towards. Circumstances have vastly changed, my life has recently gone to shit, my relationship is no longer emotionally healthy for me, and I need to get out. And he is highly unlikely to help me pay for any of the jointly agreed purchases we made. Added to which, we agreed to have a baby and fund childcare based on both our incomes. I am now having to do this alone.

So yes, you're right. Something is very wrong right now. All of the above, mostly.

OP posts:
toocold54 · 16/10/2021 23:27

Everyone on UC gets a rent element if they rent ! But earnings reduce the whole award. It is not a case of op not getting help with her rent.

Yes that’s what I meant, that her earnings means she wouldn’t be entitled to much help with the rent award. But she was confused with the 2 bed/3 bed allowance. She won’t get a 3 bed allowance if her need is a 2 bed.

Original poster
Lulu2021 · 16/10/2021 23:27

@Babyroobs

I don't really think it's fair to be suggesting op should take in Ironing on top of a full time job, or that a 15 year old should be helping. It's the bloody dads who should be stepping up. It is shocking how so many get away with contributing nothing.

😂 ironing. Righty ho.

OP posts:
Whatamesssss · 16/10/2021 23:28

@Lightisnotwhite

There are many things wrong. None of which are the OP's fault.

They huge amount of rents and childcare are crippling.

Original poster
Lulu2021 · 16/10/2021 23:29

Taxpayers shouldn’t be propping up a relatively well paid mum.

I'm also a taxpayer. I pay £513 a month in tax. Who should my taxes be "propping up", out of interest?

OP posts:
Twiggywinkle13 · 16/10/2021 23:29

Gosh people - try being supportive of someone who’s in a difficult situation and is a newly single mum.

OP - it’s all very confusing and to make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to, have you considered CAB? They have specific money advice and benefit advice folks who would be able to work it all out with you.

All the best on this new journey - it may not feel like it now but you’ll smash it x

lifehappened · 16/10/2021 23:30

Lol

Babyroobs · 16/10/2021 23:30

@Lulu2021

Taxpayers shouldn’t be propping up a relatively well paid mum.

I'm also a taxpayer. I pay £513 a month in tax. Who should my taxes be "propping up", out of interest?

The amount you will get in UC and child benefit will just about equate to what you pay in tax, so I'd just consider it a temporary tax break !!
Original poster
Lulu2021 · 16/10/2021 23:31

The amount you will get in UC and child benefit will just about equate to what you pay in tax, so I'd just consider it a temporary tax break !!

Exactly.

OP posts:
toocold54 · 16/10/2021 23:37

Will think on that before taking on higher paid much higher stress/workload positions for not much more money

That’s exactly what I thought too!
She is lucky to be on such a high wage of course but it’s made me think I’d probably rather have less stress and less money and would probably have a similar wage after deductions. It depends what her job is I suppose.

Original poster
Lulu2021 · 16/10/2021 23:37

I'm waiting for the comments from those who begrudge me a tax break ......... 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
Lulu2021 · 16/10/2021 23:38

@Babyroobs

Actually I think the estimate I was given for entitlement was what, 380 ish a month? I actually pay over a hundred quid more than that in tax anyway 😂

OP posts:
OverTheRubicon · 16/10/2021 23:41

@Lightisnotwhite But if someone can’t afford childcare costs on what is a top 15% salary then there is something really wrong.

Well yes, it's wrong because we don't have properly supported childcare. Once her youngest gets 30 hours, she wouldn't likely be eligible for UC.

Can't believe that you would seriously suggest that a mother going back to work full time with a 6 month old (and teen) and no shared residence, plus dealing with a relationship breakdown, should also be taking on ironing, cleaning or childcare Hmm. Meanwhile countless mothers who are the same length into a 12 month maternity leave are earnestly informed by pages of posters that they absolutely need a cleaner and for their husband to do half the night feeds. It's a ridiculous double standard that just shows the privilege of the average poster, and the fact that they'd honestly rather have a lower tax take and more children living in poverty and neglect than to support single mothers to pay for our exorbitant childcare for a couple of years in order to stay in the workforce.

Musereader · 16/10/2021 23:45

With the bedrooms you can have as many as you like, but the rate included in the UC is capped at the max amount you are entitled to so I have 3 bedrooms but am only paid for 2 in the UC.

You are entitled to 2 now, but once the elder one is 16 you will be entitled to 3 as 16 year olds have thier own bedroom allocation in the bedroom calculator, so the rent amount will go up from 325 to 380 and it is that much less that you will have to find to make the difference yourself.

It just automatically changes as the dates of birth of the children are included in the application. Once she gets to 21 and she still lives with you, then a non dependant deduction is applied.

TractorAndHeadphones · 16/10/2021 23:48

@toocold54

Will think on that before taking on higher paid much higher stress/workload positions for not much more money

That’s exactly what I thought too!
She is lucky to be on such a high wage of course but it’s made me think I’d probably rather have less stress and less money and would probably have a similar wage after deductions. It depends what her job is I suppose.

A lot of highly paid people are coming to the same conclusion. There isn't much incentive to work more if you have a lot more stress for very little money. Not only does the extra get eaten up by tax but after a certain point you work crazy hours and have to pay for the privilege. So all things considered your per hour wage is less.

Sorry OP not directly related to you but trying to highlight how the system isn't set up to incentivise work at a higher level.

Original poster
Lulu2021 · 17/10/2021 00:12

@toocold54

Will think on that before taking on higher paid much higher stress/workload positions for not much more money

That’s exactly what I thought too!
She is lucky to be on such a high wage of course but it’s made me think I’d probably rather have less stress and less money and would probably have a similar wage after deductions. It depends what her job is I suppose.

I'll be taking home £2,700 when my student loan is paid off in about 18 months time. And I could opt out of the pension if I wanted to which would put my take home pay at over 3k when student loan is paid off. There's a couple reasons it seems lower than it should be, if that makes sense.

OP posts:
Wauden · 17/10/2021 00:16

Maybe you need advice on getting childcare from the father. Sorry that he isn't supporting the other child.

Original poster
Lulu2021 · 17/10/2021 00:19

@Wauden

Maybe you need advice on getting childcare from the father. Sorry that he isn't supporting the other child.

I'm not sure what I can realistically do about this though. He is supporting the other child - just not paying the amount he would be made to pay if the CMS didn't have the wrong information for his earnings.

OP posts:
Blackisblackisblack · 17/10/2021 00:24

I'm sorry you're going through difficulties with a young child/ren.

Could you try your local citizens advice? I'm sure they be able to help you with figures?

lynntheyresexpeople · 17/10/2021 00:29

The online calculator must have glitched - you're not entitled to anything on that salary.
Tbh if you're struggling on that Income, I'd suggest a budgeting plan.

BurntO · 17/10/2021 00:30

Our combined income is less than that and we get nothing.

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