Partner and I work full time. Universal credit? Is this right?

[HeadsShouldersTitsandArse]

Obviously everyone is struggling with the cost of living, and the fear of our new nursery bills is making me feel sick and just not knowing what I can actually do.

I was under the impression that we wouldn’t be able to claim universal credit because we have a mortgage and both work and have semi-decent salaries (below average but enough to pay bills ect)

I’ve done a universal credit calculator thing and it’s returning that we can claim £1400ish in universal credit. Surely that’s not right? I’ve been back through my answers and everything is what we get ect.

Really? It just seems too good to be true.

Without figures its impossible to say

I'm not sure how anyone on here can tell you more than the dedicated calculator in which you put all your information.

Why don't you call the job centre and ask tomorrow?

If you have a mortgage that doesn't sound right.

If you’re both earning below average and have kids and nursery bills that doesn’t particularly surprise me, more people are eligible than you might think.

Apply for it, what have you got to lose!

without knowing the exact figures .. its hrd to tell. is the £1400 a year? a month?

if its an online calculator i wouldn't trust it.. fill in the paperwork and send it off, and if you get something then its a bonus

You've done the best check you can. It's indicated that you do have entitlement, so get on and claim universal credit!
No one on here can tell you if the calculator was right or not (at least not without you disclosing a lot of personal and financial information) and the jobcentre won't tell you. Just put in a claim and see what happens. The worst outcome will just be them telling you you're not entitled to anything after all

Just wondering how old are your kids? Does the calculator show free hours as a monetary benefit? So you wouldn't get that money but are entitled to the hours if you see what I mean?

If you have below average salaries and childcare costs it’s worth making a claim and seeing what comes back

Sorry to hijack, but for the single mothers among us, does the child maintenance you receive count towards your earnings?
I have never claimed this but perhaps I should.

No

It doesn’t surprise me. My partner and I were both part time but in reasonably well paid jobs and we still got UC and cost of living payments. Our part time wages were roughly equivalent of two full time wages just above minimum wage, so it definitely wouldn’t surprise me.

I found what the entitled calculator told me I could get was a bit different that what I did get. Subsequently, I've moved from a part time job on NMW to a slightly better paying job, still part time and we're no longer getting anything 🤷‍♀️.

Why aren’t you claiming this?!

I think it's child - no, spousal maintenance - yes.

Are you sure it's the UC AFTER salary deduction?
Sometimes it shows something like:

• housing benefit : 500 gbp
• maintenance payment : 200 gbp
• child benefits : 90 pounds
• total UC : 790

Salary : - 790

Could you take a screenshot?

Seems very high.. how many children? What are your earnings?

Have you accidentally put your mortgage payment in for housing costs? UC won't pay the housing allowance, that's for rented only.

You may be eligible for some top up benefits but you’ll also be called in for meetings and expected to fill in a journal detailing all the ways you’ve been looking for more work and trying to increase your low earnings etc. TBH I’m impressed that anyone on a low income is surviving at the moment - maybe it depends where you live but as a single parent on low wages I’m getting deeper into debt just paying my bills and council tax etc plus increasing food and fuel costs. Just had a bill for car repairs that has wiped out everything I’ve earned this month.

Presumably yours will mainly go on nursery fees, enabling you to continue working, paying into a pension and being a stand-up member of society rather than one of those much scorned SAHMs taking tax payers hard earned cash 🙄

No it doesn't.

Impossible to say without the figures. Also remember if you have over 6k in savings it reduces and you can’t claim if you have over 16k in savings.

That’s not true, if you both work full time you don’t have to look for other work or go in for meetings.

Just wanted to add, nursery invoices need to be paid in full and proof of payment provided before UC will give you an accurate calculation.

Annoyingly I had just paid our monthly invoice through Tax free childcare so had to wait a full month to be able to submit all the necessary paperwork.

I used to do visits for DWP (still work there but very different role)..

So many people missing out on money they were entitled to claim because their mothers, neighbours, cousins parrot had read in the daily mail that people 'in the same situation' ... wouldn't be entitled... It's rarely correct as most people do not have identical circumstances and income. Both are important and relevant.

Number of kids
Childcare costs
Mortgage
Rent
Child maintenance
Disabilities
Caring responsibilities
Income
Relationship status.

The best bet is to use the 'entitled to' calculator. www.entitledto.co.uk/
and see for yourself. If the questions are answered correctly it is extremely accurate. Most people are surprised. Universal Credit was designed to be an in work benefit above all.

You don’t have to if you both work part time either, as long as you work over a certain amount of hours which I can’t remember. Maybe because our youngest was still under 2.

Child maintenance isn't counted against you like it was years ago

I'm a single parent; work full time; rubbish wages (just above minimum wage); I get 75% of my rent paid and nothing else. Wouldn't have thought with two of you working full time you'd be entitled to anything. UC don't pay mortgages (which makes sense!)