To ask you to help me work this out?

[Lulu2021]

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.

Clearly those people don't have such high rent/childcare costs/number of children/pension contributions *delete as appropriate.

OP is claiming according to UC rules, she's not trying to claim anything she's not entitled too.

I can't fathom what you're not understanding here?

*to not 'too'

And I'm sure the OP would 'get their outgoing to something more akin to their salary' if they were to start again from scratch, but this is a sudden relationship breakdown and the debts don't actually make any difference as the UC is based on her earnings and not her expenditure.

Sorry, based on her rent and childcare costs in relation to her earnings.

@emptyempire

And I'm sure the OP would 'get their outgoing to something more akin to their salary' if they were to start again from scratch, but this is a sudden relationship breakdown and the debts don't actually make any difference as the UC is based on her earnings and not her expenditure.

Exactly. This is an unforeseen situation. I’m sure the OP will eventually get to the point their outgoings are more ‘akin’ to their salary but they’re in a temporarily shit situation and need help. God forbid we show a little compassion to a new mum who is struggling. I also have a 6 month old and know how difficult it is without this added stress on top. To all the posters sticking the boot in… take a long hard look at yourself. Then fuck off.

I don't receive that income a month with 2 children, a salary and UC. You're after UC as well? The extras you pay out have nothing to do with UC. If you can't live on it then you need to make adjustments so you can. You're now single. Things have to change. You can't assume any UC will cover it all.

@Lulu2021 sorry some people are being so nasty.

I have a few thoughts, for what they are worth.

First, I wondered whether you have considered returning part time once you return to work? I only ask because I have a demanding role (similar salary to you), only one kid and a supportive partner, but my mental health has really, really, really suffered over the past five years as I have attempted to balance both child rearing and working full time in a stressful role. I am going part time from January onwards and frankly wish I had done it earlier. Is this something you would entertain, even for the short term? It would solve a few issues.

Second, I wonder about a meeting with a financial advisor or something similar, to look at debt consolidation.

Third, as your car is on finance, this will be cutting into your take home a fair bit. Could you return it and buy a cheaper run around, and consider leasing when you are more sorted? You mightn't be able to do this, admittedly, if you don't have anything spare to buy a cheap car. But this cost would be one of the first I would look at.

Fourth, I would write down all outgoings, and see what you can cancel, and what you can reduce. You may find you save £50-75/month which will feel like a lot when you are balancing a tighter budget.

Fifth, you said you pay £200 for your student loan ever month, and 9.1% pension. You could see if you could pause either or both of these payments for the short term, unless your youngest is five. Not ideal, but...

[quote ThisMustBeMyDream]@Lulu2021 well, I'd just like to say well done to you. We probably share similar stories, having our eldest children at a younger age. I was 17, and am now 36 too. I chose to do my midwifery degree when I was 19, and clawed my way through it, fighting every step of the way. I split up with my eldests father when he was 6. I had been working as a qualified midwife for just 3 months when that happened. Since then, working in the NHS as a single mother has been, quite frankly, hell on earth (the shifts/childcare problems) and many times I have been so close to losing it all (career and house that again, I made huge sacrifices to get). I now have younger children, but once again found myself as a single mother when my husband buggered off when I was pregnant with my 3rd (our 2nd). He has subsequently had zero involvement with them. I've done it alone for coming up to 7 years now.
You've made your way up to a band 8, and when I consider that, at our age, I think that is pretty amazing. I couldn't do it! So, have a pat on the back, and feel proud of yourself.

BTW, at one point I was receiving £1800 a month in tax credits. Just for the frothers out there. I employed a nanny. I mean how dare I! I should know my place![/quote]
what a great post, what people forget is that people working in all sorts of professions are needed, needed by society and needed in the workplace. when those people are solo can't get homes near there work due to lack of social housing and rents are high, or have children to cater for and juggle - they need an extra hand from society to stay working and an integral part of society

@emptyempire

And I'm sure the OP would 'get their outgoing to something more akin to their salary' if they were to start again from scratch, but this is a sudden relationship breakdown and the debts don't actually make any difference as the UC is based on her earnings and not her expenditure.

Thank you for this - it saves me the tediousness of typing it myself in reply to that poster.

You'd think this was common sense. Alas, no.

@Sexnotgender

Thank you

Also for this comment:

To all the posters sticking the boot in… take a long hard look at yourself. Then fuck off.

I actually think I love you. 😂

@Lennybenny

I don't receive that income a month with 2 children, a salary and UC. You're after UC as well? The extras you pay out have nothing to do with UC. If you can't live on it then you need to make adjustments so you can. You're now single. Things have to change. You can't assume any UC will cover it all.

I'm not "assuming" UC will cover anything. That would be a fucking stupid thing to do, and I'm an intelligent woman. What I'm doing instead, is I'm coming on here to ask knowledgeable people what they think regarding my entitlement; and I've asked some in the know people to do the sums for me. So far, it looks in my favour.

Far better than "assuming", right?

@ThisMustBeMyDream

I take my hat off to you. And thank you for your sensible and thoughtful posts

Good luck OP you’re doing what is always advised - getting your ducks in order. I hope once you actually separate you will be less anxious and be happier. You’ve had some good advice here from people who know. I’m offering no advice as I know nothing about UC. I do think many posters have missed how vulnerable you feel in the situation you now find yourself in to focus on whether you ‘deserve’ UC. Some of the comments are very harsh and some are just plain bonkers. Anyway good luck with it all. I’m wondering if requesting compressed hours may assist. Reduce childcare and commuting possibly. Also I’m not sure what kind of job you’re in in the NHS but lots are now wfh or a blended working week. I’m not suggesting you don’t need childcare on wfh days but would reduce the pressure of commuting and maybe make life a bit easier. You’ve got a lot on your plate. Take care x

Most people would get their outgoing to something more akin to their salary

Have you tried paying for full time childcare for a couple of children on one wage? Even an above average wage? And everything else? On your own? That's after having made major purchases on credit, mortgage, car, the decision to have a baby on two full time wages and then having to pick up the whole lot yourself?

Give it a try and see how you get on. See if you can pay for everything on what you earn and cut back by £700 a month so you can actually go out to work.

I haven't RTFT but wow at the negative comments! Woman who is in a really tough situation is trying to work out what her financial future looks like for her kids and takes a dressing down. She has pain in to the system and now is looking to see what help she can get to enable her to continue working and look after her kids! Her circumstances have changed!!

OP I'm sorry :( I was in a similar situation and similar earnings. I claimed UC when I was onSMP but it stopped when I went back to work. I flexed my hours and now WFH which makes child care and outgoings more affordable. DS is in school now which is easier - child care costs are temporary and you can get tax free and in time free hours

Sending love xx

*paid in

@Lulu2021

While having a pension is sensible, you could choose to lower it until the free childcare cuts in & up it when you're earning £53,000 (or whatever it was you said you'll be on soon) *

Except I can't "choose to lower it". NHS pension rates are fixed according to salary. I can be in or out. I can't adjust the percentage I pay.

You may want to check your pension contributions as the % you are paying is lower than you say it should be.

@Hetty they are based on previous tax year earnings, not current ones - in the NHS at least. Can't say for other employers.

To all the posters sticking the boot in… take a long hard look at yourself. Then fuck off

Shock horror people on internet forums have different opinions. If you cannot accept that then perhaps consider if the intenet is suited to your mentality.

@jelly79

I haven't RTFT but wow at the negative comments! Woman who is in a really tough situation is trying to work out what her financial future looks like for her kids and takes a dressing down. She has pain in to the system and now is looking to see what help she can get to enable her to continue working and look after her kids! Her circumstances have changed!!

OP I'm sorry :( I was in a similar situation and similar earnings. I claimed UC when I was onSMP but it stopped when I went back to work. I flexed my hours and now WFH which makes child care and outgoings more affordable. DS is in school now which is easier - child care costs are temporary and you can get tax free and in time free hours

Sending love xx

Lovely post Morrors my position also

Best of luck op xxxx

@Lulu2021 sorry haven’t RTFT so this may have been answered, but are you in the UK and making repayments to the student loan company? Are you sure the repayment of £200 per month is correct as that sounds awfully high for a student loan. If it’s correct, that has surprised me

To all the posters sticking the boot in… take a long hard look at yourself. Then fuck off

Here here.

[quote SoniaFouler]@Lulu2021 sorry haven’t RTFT so this may have been answered, but are you in the UK and making repayments to the student loan company? Are you sure the repayment of £200 per month is correct as that sounds awfully high for a student loan. If it’s correct, that has surprised me[/quote]

Definitely correct unfortunately.

You have to pay back 9% of your monthly income before deductions, on any amount that you earn above the threshold of £1,657. I earn 3,927 per month before deductions. 3,927 minus 1,657 equals £2,271. So I have to pay 9% of 2,271, which is £204.

I'm holding on for when it's paid off - it will be paid off in around 16-18 months time and that will give me £200 back a month. I've been paying this loan 12 years now 😂 can't wait to see the back of it ...

OP did you phone CAB and start the claim
Off?