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.

Gosh have you not been paying attention? Nobody is that gullible surely.

There’s still a form of benefit there — UC.

I get absolutely no benefits. I recently had to give up my car. If I need more money, I have to work overtime.

Not when there is a benefit cap! The benefit cap is at 1,835, which includes rent. Average house cost near me is 1500 so where is the safety net? You either live in poverty or you work to lift the cap

So how do you think the country generates income?

Surely previous choices have led to that financial 'need' though.

Housing Benefit doesn't really exist any more.

It’s very difficult to get an income in rental now, most LL’s look for capital growth - which is somewhat limited with an interest only mortgage. It’s actually more profitable to have your money sat in an ISA.

Presumably you get no benefits because you are over the earnings threshold.

It isn't up to you to decide who is 'deserving', thankfully.

Good, people shouldn't be using housing as an income source.

Better tell that to the developers. Those new builds aren’t flying up because they have a heart.

It’s dire for everyone.

Sorry to hear about your car. The cost of living in the UK is still a crisis even if our politicians ignore that. Most of us struggle whatever the source of our income.

What has that to do with 15 years of Tory austerity? We're worse off now than when they started it. Slashing vital services is costly.

Yes for everyone, pensions , disability and work benefits. The whole thing needs an overhaul to make work pay.

Thank you @ForWittyTealOP
Yes, I agree. I hope it gets better. 🙏

And I think that's the bottom line, like paid work doesn't pay. Why would someone choose to do it over claiming benefits.

Do you have an autistic child with speech delays? Or in the case of my 5 year old no speech? It's not as simple as taking them to groups or working with them so they learn to speak.
I'm on my knees. I had to give up work after DS's problems came to light but I don't have the skills to help him. He did make progress in nursery, but the main reason for sending him was so I could have a break because parenting an autistic child is not the same as parenting a NT child. I needed that break so I could take care of him the next day.
Why should just working parents benefit from child care?

@Confusdworriedmum the difficulty is one group needs childcare; the other might benefit from it but their income isn’t dependent, I am not disputing that your son benefits from it though.

edited to add - there’s obviously a distinction between childcare for mere supervision to allow the parents to work and childcare that is also dual purpose and providing some sort of therapeutic benefit. A parent is usually deemed able to provide the latter and childcare replace the supervision element.

Obvs it’s different in your case, and I don’t think that view was necessarily aimed at yourself. It sounds like you need some specialist support tho. I do on the whole think working parents need to be prioritised tho as they are net contributors and we need money via tax for vital services x

The current system, over the work allowance your taxed, pay NI and then 55% of UC is deducted. In effect you lose 68% of any earnings over the tax threshold.

That’s another pertinent point, your average nursery isn’t really optimal for a child with high needs. It’s the best option available but not optimal.

Yes I will enjoy my few hours of peace when my son starts his morning sessions at the nursery to ready him for school. Why be jealous of that? Kind of prefer if he could manage a full day and I work.

OP you are a walking advertisement for why you are better off not being self employed.

Why 😂