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.

You’re not helping, you’re just getting people’s backs up, who then think everyone on a low wage her claims universal credit has the same attitude as you.

Again not my problem. People think I'm abusing the system and I'm not.
I work part time, I'm on UC and have s good life.

This is more in line. Absolutely not 6 months full and 6 months half pay, Jesus. I work for a big private healthcare company. I think I get 4-6 weeks full pay, then it drops to half for 4-6 weeks and then it’s SMP. Like I have said previously, I pay for half our mortgage, and my DH pays half plus the bills. With me out of work or on smp, that’s a significant drop to our household income and would put DH under significant strain. Not to mention he is self employed and there are some times of the year where there is less work due to his industry. Fortunately my job is v stable and secure, but I will need some time off to recover and as he earns more, he will need to stay in work. I think you’re underestimating how squeezed many families are despite earning a good wage. We don’t qualify for anything, so no safety net.

This is a classic example in this poster.

A friend’s daughter said to me not so long ago, there’s no point working full time when you’re on UC. In her eyes there’s no point.

But she’s not thinking about her crap pension, her lack of progression so going up the career ladder is not going to happen, and the next generation who see sponging off the state as their life ambition.

I’ll take working and setting a good example to my kids who actually have set themselves some amazing career goals any day over living off UC and feeling smug. Short term maybe, but i’ll take the long game thanks. Not sure why anyone thinks it’s really a better option.

@Pirating55 i can’t tell if you’re being goady or honest but I’ll ask anyway. If as you say it’s ’the System’ what will you do if that changes? What if in 3 years reform do get in and your benefits rug is pulled from beneath your feet? How will you cope?

Maybe he needs a reliable job instead of self employment?

Too many people on benefits to change it.

He’s trying. It’s been reliable for the past few years and has earned well. Unfortunately since COVID hit, his industry has been significantly impacted. It’s not easy to just retrain in something else at this stage in our life either.

I am simply showing another side of the coin because at the moment there’s a lot of focus on how hard it is for people on benefits when actually, they’re probably more secure than those who have a mortgage or pay rent privately…

Thats a risky game you’re playing

Are they? Maybe if you work set full days but if you do half days like you, you can easily get away with claiming a full day. Do they even ask you to specify the number of hours worked per day, per week etc? As you could work 25hrs, 5hrs a day, and claim for a full 8-6pm and have the afternoon to yourself, finishing at 1.30/2. Or you could work 3 full days and just claim for 3 full days. People I know on UC seem to have more time to themselves when their DC are at nursery than those paying for themselves. Plus of course those parents not working at all and getting so much free childcare. It is frustrating when others are paying in excess of £80 a day.

I work part time, on UC and feel so smug too. Thanks

Okay then...we will see when that happens

Usually they query if the childcare bill amount is more than the wage reported but as we are a joint claim they might have taken into account both wages. 🤔 I certainly have seen them sending people many questions on their journals to explain their childcare costs.

There isn’t enough childcare to go round

They don't expect you to look for work but you have to attend appointments. Which is demoralising.
My daughter started school nursery at 3, which was 16 hours.
I'm not sure how UC could expect me to find a job with that little time frame.
Instead I had weekly appointments, which I had no childcare for. Often at short notice.
Walking in to a jobcentre, knowing the staff and security are looking down on you, is one of the worst feelings out there.
But I have worked since my youngest was 8 months, but its always been part time jobs so always needed the uc

I wish someone would tell my job coach! I have LCW, so don't have to look for work but have to spend time preparing. I've managed to find a job that's 18 hours at just over minimum wage. She said I still have to have weekly meetings and continue my commitments!

Absolutely. The last childminder to collect from my DS's school went out of business during the lockdowns. The after school club closed down several years ago, presumably due to lack of money. You can't even just move school as places in other catchments are far from guaranteed and then you introduce transport issues. What are people supposed to do if they are a single parent, no family support and no paid options?

Why? You’re hardly rolling in it. Most of the posters here are probably laughing at how excited you are to get your UC and thinking you’re quids in. Hardly.

Think i am
I get paid twice each month
I've got a brand new car, abroad holidays and much more.
Ahh sorry you're jealous

Haha, yeah of course i’m jealous, you’re obviously rolling it in.

I feel very smug I work part time and people work full time with no life. My future is took care of, I spend time with my son instead of palming him off places. Life is good. Bye hun

Blimey. I'm doing benefits wrong! Im constantly robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Exactly, yet childcare spaces are taken by parents who don’t work at all. It’s so hard to get a childcare space at nurseries now, there needs to be some prioritisation system.

This person is just trolling. Brand new car on UC? Yeah okay hun. You keep telling yourself that you’re rolling in it and living lavishly. 🥴

Maybe I should become a childminder 👀 seems there’s demand.