Page 2 | UC help

Carlotta367 · 2023-06-18T11:51:39+00:00

Please could anyone help? I've just accepted a new job, net salary per month is £1,263. It's 30 hours. I'm 34. My partner works 40 hours and his net salary per month is £1520. He's 35. We have 3 children and childcare is £1625 a month. Our rent is £895 a month, council band B. Could anyone help with whether we'd be entitled to any UC help please? Thanks

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

No, with both working they shouldn’t be in a position to need to claim benefits. If you’re angry then stop voting for a government that is actively keeping wages low despite inflation rising. It’s the government who decided that they’d rather hold people to benefits rather than have a working economy where people can move upwards.

Gerrataere · 18/06/2023 13:30

@Carlotta367 you’re more than welcome. I hope it’s sorted quickly and gives you some peace of mind. Times are tough enough without having to struggle unnecessarily.

Lougle · 18/06/2023 13:30

I missed the three children, sorry.

@Carlotta367 it's probably right. About £300 of your childcare costs are over the limit, but you'll have £1108.04 in childcare costs on your award.

UC is ok for working families or where there is disability in the household.

TonysGaff · 18/06/2023 13:32

To answer your question, @HarassedByASasquatch. Yes, it does entitle them to benefits.

It is beneficial overall for the government to contribute towards childcare costs to families on low incomes to help both partners get back to work rather than relying on 1 income and benefits. Taking a long career break to raise young children until they are all at school is detrimental to the stay at home parent's career and long term earning potential. It is also bad for the economy to have a large number of the work force at home for 5+ years.

The government takes the view that it is better for parents like OP to go back to work, if they want to, so they are not stuck in a trap because they are finacially better off living on benefits than working because of childcare costs.

If you are in receipt of UC, the state will pay 85% of the childcare costs while you are at work. UC entitlement also only reduces by 55% for each £ you earn to ensure that you are always better off working ie for each £ you earn, your benefits only reduce by 55p.

Original poster

Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:32

Lougle · 18/06/2023 13:30

I missed the three children, sorry.

@Carlotta367 it's probably right. About £300 of your childcare costs are over the limit, but you'll have £1108.04 in childcare costs on your award.

UC is ok for working families or where there is disability in the household.

I misread the result, it said £1744 was the UC award, and rest child benefit.
It does seem quite high but most of it was childcare x

OP posts:

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 18/06/2023 13:41

That seems about right. I am bloody pleased that UC makes it feasible for both partners to work.

Original poster

Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 13:55

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 18/06/2023 13:41

That seems about right. I am bloody pleased that UC makes it feasible for both partners to work.

Ah I wasn't sure as it sounds quite a lot x

OP posts:

Badbudgeter · 18/06/2023 13:55

I earn £2.2k a month and get UC, it’s designed to help working families. I know some people are snippy about people in work claiming benefits but it’s what the government have said my family needs to survive and they aren’t known for their generosity.

I couldn’t afford to work without the UC as sums don’t add up. If it helps I’m entitled to £1550 a month and get less than half of that after the taper. It makes more sense economically from a government standpoint for me to work, pay tax, NI and pay into a pension than it does for me to sit on my arse being economically inactive claiming £1550 a month. UC I’m given is pretty much equal to tax, NI and council tax.

Original poster

Carlotta367 · 18/06/2023 14:02

Badbudgeter · 18/06/2023 13:55

I earn £2.2k a month and get UC, it’s designed to help working families. I know some people are snippy about people in work claiming benefits but it’s what the government have said my family needs to survive and they aren’t known for their generosity.

I couldn’t afford to work without the UC as sums don’t add up. If it helps I’m entitled to £1550 a month and get less than half of that after the taper. It makes more sense economically from a government standpoint for me to work, pay tax, NI and pay into a pension than it does for me to sit on my arse being economically inactive claiming £1550 a month. UC I’m given is pretty much equal to tax, NI and council tax.

That is a help thank you x

OP posts:

Catsknowbest · 19/11/2023 14:09

Ignore the negatives. The benefits calculators are pretty accurate but if you're unsure of the final figures Citizens Advice will double check for you

caringcarer · 19/11/2023 14:34

Badbudgeter · 18/06/2023 13:55

I earn £2.2k a month and get UC, it’s designed to help working families. I know some people are snippy about people in work claiming benefits but it’s what the government have said my family needs to survive and they aren’t known for their generosity.

I couldn’t afford to work without the UC as sums don’t add up. If it helps I’m entitled to £1550 a month and get less than half of that after the taper. It makes more sense economically from a government standpoint for me to work, pay tax, NI and pay into a pension than it does for me to sit on my arse being economically inactive claiming £1550 a month. UC I’m given is pretty much equal to tax, NI and council tax.

I wish the government would just fund 100 percent child care full stop. Then all those who chose to work could.