To think I should work less and claim Universal Credit?

[Tiredandgrumpymum]

After a difficult divorce I find myself supporting my 2 children on my own. Ex-husband pays the bare minimum.

I work full time on about minimum wage, all my shopping is done at Asda usually yellow-stickered where ever possible. This year managed to take my 2 kids away for a weeks break by the seaside in a caravan. We had a lovely time but did it as cheaply as possible. Bought ice cream and put in the freezer in the caravan so when kids asked for an ice cream out I said wait till we get home.

No eating out except for takeaway chips etc. No expensive days out.

Just bought all the school uniforms as cheaply as possible from the supermarket and the school shoes which I've had to put on my credit card.

My SIL popped round for a coffee earlier on her way back from the hairdressers having treated herself to a new cut and colour at a posh salon and she was just on the way to get her nails done. She's just returned from a 2 week all inclusive in Turkey with her 4 kids. Her kids get the best school uniforms and school shoes and she pays for them to do various activities I can only dream about. All this and she works 3 mornings a week and gets topped up on UC. She goes to the gym everyday as she can afford it and has the time to so looks fabulous.
I'm sorry I sound so bitter but I really am.

You go first. The OP and her children aren’t going without.

Well OP, the best thing you could do is put/earmark that money to putting a secure roof over your head. You haven't described your housing costs and situation, nor SILs, as these do make a difference to some benefits.

Junior ISAs are really good for putting money aside for your dc's possible University costs.

@Surveille222
Residential care?
For a disabled child?
Wow - us parents of disabled children could try really really hard to put our children away, is that it?
So give those disabled children to another family who will be paid extortionate amounts in comparison to DLA/PIP and carer’s allowance..
Where did hungrybrood suggest that was what she wanted?

From what l can gather you are more than likely entitled to some UC.
Here is the Gov calculator.. do it now

You might be entitled to some back pay...

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

You should of put the ISA in the kids names and then you would be able to claim UC. Mums earning £1,600 per month with 2 kids would be entitled to UC help. Tbh I would spend the 18k and split it between the 2 kids banks and claim UC.

Your post is misleading. I wouldn't always listen to what others "tell" you about their income!.

It needs to be in an account you can't directly access, not your children's account.

UC doesn’t back pay. But she’s explained why she’s not eligible anyway

I disagree with this. 18k is a good amount. There has to be a line OP can't expect to save 18k and then expect UC to top her up on top of this so she can save further. It's unreasonable given the state of the economy!!

OP needs to use the benefit calculator. She also needs to remember tomorrow isn't promised. I'm all for saving IF you are able however not at the detriment to lifestyle! £1,600 per month for 3 people to live on isn't doable IMO.

Yes that's what I meant like an ISA a child can access at 18. However I don't know if OP would be able to do it at this stage now? If so I think it would be the best option.

My husband works full time (slightly above minimum wage but only just), we have 1 child who is disabled. We get just under £500. I'd definitely apply if it'll make life a little less of a struggle.

Well, this thread is quite the ride.
First you say you should work less and claim UC, but then say you can't anyway as you have too much in savings.
Then you say you are getting into debt buying school uniform, then are then on about booking a holiday to Disneyland.

I think you don't like your SIL much as you are offering her up on her to be criticised for her spending. If she gets benefits, then she has been assessed as needing them. She can actually spend them how she wants. Another poster was bang on... why is it always AI holiday, haircuts and nails? The people I know on benefits don't do any of that. They buy things like craft supplies.

But anyway, this thread fails the sniff test anyway.

Perhaps your brother is supplementing her lifestyle / luxuries? I’m pretty sure UC won’t stretch enough to pay for hair and nails on top of living necessities.

Some people need educating about ADHD.. there is many physical disabilities that come with ADHD.. Some have non..Some have a few.. Some have them all.
My daughter is 33 and ADHD.. she's has hyperperligic migrains ( looses uses of left side of her body) non epilepsy seizures..
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility syndrome ...Restless leg syndrome (RPLS) and Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) and Pots ..and is in a wheelchair...Here is the link
Just educate yourselves..

mentalhealthclinic.co.uk/the-impact-of-adhd/physical-health-problems-common-in-adhd/

to be fair i think that was a suggestion in response to the poster worrying what would happen to her DC when she can no longer care for them

I dread and fear my DC going into any kind of residential care too but at some point i may have no choice about it. i guess i can see a domestic setting (if that’s what shared lives is?) being better than a care home…

Yet another thread proves that the benefits system is broken. It pays to claim benefits, not to work. So much comfort for the ever decreasing number of people who are actually paying to prop this system up.

Yes, Shared Lives is basically like foster care. I know of someone who went to live with a family after the uncle she lived with died (she had no other family). She was in her 30s at the time. She has LD.

My partner's dad (when he was alive) was also under it for a while, but he ended up going into a home in the end.

No one is better off not working and claiming UC unless they are lying about what they are earning. I am in UC and can’t afford to go to Turkey or eat what I want (I hunt yellow stickers too). I would be better off if I could work. I am a single mum with a disabled adult dc who I care for. My rent gets paid and I have around £300 a month left to live off.

If you’re a single parent, on minimum wage you would be entitled to some UC? You can continue to work and claim UC.

£16000 is the savings threshold for UC. Is the money in your name or your childrens ?

Who goes from 'For YEARS, I've saved all this inheritance for my kids and not touched a penny to the detriment of being able to claim the UC I'm entitled to'

TO

'Now imma saddle up and head to Disneyworld to burn my way through some serious £££'

within a hot minute?

The power of Mumsnetters is a thing to behold.

That’s not true. The system is set up so no one is better off not working. Most people on UC are working….they are just earning minimum wage and are entitled to a top up to help pay their rent, a single parent can’t pay rent on a 3 bed house on a single wage?

You can’t just decide not to work, you would be forced to apply for work and attend the job centre each week just to claim £300 a month UC……how is that being better off than earning £500+ a week working?

Media wants you to believe that people on benefits are better off than those working but it’s just not true.

@Tiredandgrumpymum

You are working hard and saving for your kids. Yet seem to be penalised for this, while your friend is not as astute yet currently is living her best life at the expense of the tax payer. This is not your fault, this is our Government‘s fault. Work just does not pay.

I am not surprised you are feeling frustrated at the way things are in this country. You sound like an amazing Mum making great memories for your kids whilst securing their future. You are setting a great example to your kids too and although this may not mean much at the moment, but I appreciate your contribution to society.

PIP is significantly more difficult to secure than child DLA. PIP is a working age benefit and under scrutiny as such. Child DLA requires that the disabled child has significantly more care needs than a child of similar age without the disability.

Did you quote me in error?

Of course they are. Otherwise this many millions wouldn’t be on benefits and not working or working part time only.

Blaming the media is old and tired. The numbers speak for themselves.

That’s not strictly true. The parent has to be the main carer and providing care for 35 hours or more per week. And exemption has to be agreed with the work coach as there are specific conditions which apply according to circumstances.