Working expectations for parents on UC

[BlackCatGreyWhiskers]

AIBU to find this really frustrating? Basically there is no expectation for parents to work until their child is age 3. So if a family has more than one child that could be several years.

Whereas maternity leave is only 9-12months.

Especially as universal credit claimants can actually get help towards childcare expenses.

I don’t understand why there is a mismatch between the employed and unemployed?

When I went back after maternity, my pay was around £1500 and my childcare £800, then after I went back with my second my childcare went up to £1200. So I earnt next to nothing for 5 years before the eldest started school.

Just hang in there PeonyPatch it does get better. Childcare costs reduce and you eventually own your house and have contributed to a pension. The ones using every excuse in the book to work as few hours as possible end up with nothing in old age. I've seen it happen. I often wondered why I bothered when younger but now glad I did. Someone up thread said it all comes down to whether you have a work ethic or not. It really does.

In some way I know of wish I could have done this but I kind of prefer to work very part time instead. Being at home all the time would drive me mad. Prefer to get wages + top up benefits instead and utilise the childcare help.

The system will never change as it simply can't with how many people are on benefits

Yes I'm extremely fortunate that I'm in this place now, but only through luck and hard work, going back to work when my babies where young when I was on minimum wage and working my way up for our future. Catch 22 at the moment because I can't save for a deposit as if you save money you lose UC. One day I'll downsize and save when children have moved out but for now I count myself lucky.

Thank you @Gingertam
I hope I make it to old age, my poor old Dad was just like me, strong work ethic and own business and died aged 58.
Your post was kind, and I do hope it is all worth it at the end, because I’m so tired and feel really disillusioned by those of us who are leeching from the system.

Plenty of nurses, teacher assistants get UC.

That was basically the premise of my thread. But people still think that’s a privilege. I was always really torn wanting to stay home but not wanting to risk further damage to my career.

Oh- you may mock, but this is true. I have this issue at work. People saying they can’t work extra due to their UC, also dropping hours to the absolute minimum to get the most benefits.

The self-righteousness on this thread is just bizarre.

As people have already mentioned many UC claimants do have a job.

Maybe turn some of your venom on employers who pay low wages and expect the benefit system to prop up their profits and big corporations and other wealthy parasites that don't pay their fair share of tax.

I also wonder how smug some of the people commenting here would feel if they suddenly were made redundant, their partner left them or they developed a long. term health condition/disability. I am sure they would sing a very different tune then.

I can't help but think that the rabid anti benefits and anti single parents brigade have led a rather charmed life and have never encountered real hardship.

Because when you have faced real hardship you tend to relate to other people's troubles rather than relish in kicking them when they are down and have very little.

Also those of us with mortgages got screwed over by Liz Truss. I have had to give up my car because my mortgage went up a couple of hundred pounds per month, plus the increase in everything else. Again no hand outs or support from the state. Just have to work overtime.

@Gingertam 100%, rather not be bone idle and “play the system”

Because the system is broken and you only take home around .32p in any pound earned, so high childcare and / or high commuting costs means you will be worse off.

I can’t find a childminder and certainly no ASC during the holidays.

I didn't say that. I said being able to afford that is a privilege.

Plenty on UC have a mortgage too and are affected by that.

I agree, much needed big changes are around the corner, but how will they be able to do this?

The government is not brave enough to just pull the plug on all this welfare. Look at all the protesting when they suggested making some desperately needed changes to the PIP and LCWRA system, for example. And there will be too many exceptions, like what they have with the 2 child rule, that people will just continue to exploit...

How do you just say to millions of people, "money's gone, support yourselves now?"

It was a choice made out of necessity as I said. My youngest is too young for holiday clubs.

Everything comes out of a joint account. So by me working 4 days a week we were £77 better off as a family. It doesn’t matter who pays which half. I was literally breaking myself for £77.

@TwoFeralKids As I mentioned earlier (which you have amusingly chosen to overlook), there are times when employing a nanny can be more cost-effective than using a nursery or childminder, so it certainly does not imply that someone is privileged to have one. You have no idea what you’re talking about.

If only we were talking about claimants who were facing really hardship we wouldn’t have a problem would we?
But we’re not, and this label of “benefits basher” or “smug judgey pants” doesn’t wash anymore.
Many Labour and welfare state supporters have seen the scales tip too generously to welfare claimants.
The irony being, if the threshold was higher to claim, we could afford to give a better level of support to those facing hardship.
And all these parents demanding a subsidy to stay at home with their kids from the state…it’s your kids who are going to pay for this!
Just how bleak a financial future are you prepared to load onto their shoulders.
wake up.

Not in my area. There is only one child minder locally who never had space and does not allow for funded hours. The nurseries are over £100 a day. A friend is paying £3750 a month - even with funded hours - for two children in nursery and looking for a nanny as it will be cheaper.

I can't believe I just read that. Or maybe I can seeing how the world is going. How am I not taking responsibility when I am the one who works and raises my kids (including dealing with additional needs) while my ex swanned off into the sunset having decided that it was all too much and he wanted to have fun? I did things "right" - married, own home, both working etc. Some protection that gave me, I still ended up a lone parent! Yes I get UC top ups now but I am certainly not sat at home waiting for the next payout, I have a mortgage to pay. Raising autistic children alone and trying to earn a living is brutal. Walk in our shoes before passing unkind judgement.

The benefits bill is unaffordable and change is due.
When it's more beneficial to lounge about all day, rather than go to work, the system is broken.

@KarmaKameelion I have clarified this numerous times (having worked as a nanny for a decade), yet the poster has opted to ignore my comments because she is aware of her mistake. It's hilarious.

Rightio.