Work can't give me extra hours. Want to come off benefits.

[Simbamumone]

I want more hours to help me come off benefits.

My child is now 16 and is going to college, and I have worked all my life, working both full-time and part-time hours. I have been receiving UC for 7.5 years and I feel it's time to try and get off them.

I currently work 25 hours a week in a job I have had for years, so i'm stable in a job I enjoy, but they haven't got anymore hours to give me.

My shift patterns make it a bit difficult to find a suitable second job to help top up my hours. I was offered a second job recently, but because I work 1 in 4 Saturdays, they couldn't work around it, so I couldnt take it.

I don't want to leave my main job I have, because I feel safe, stable and comfortable there. It's local and I know the job well, but I just feel so trapped in a part-time role and it's making me feel quite sad and depressed. I worry i'm going to have to find a full-time job else where in the next few years, so I've been stressing trying to find a second job.

My biggest struggle is that it took me years to gain my confidence back after bad relationships, bullying, and just being a single parent raising my kid but I am now finally confident enough in my abilities at my job and I finally believe in myself, but I worry If I leave my current job for another one I will regret leaving and then thank, what if i dont enjoy it or I can't do it and I lose everything??

I want to come off UC now, so i can move forward with my life and save more money. I feel ready for it now. I know i won't earn much as i 'm minimum wage, but I just want to feel like I'm self sufficient again.

Is anyone else in a similar situation? And how do you cope with the anxiety of it all?

You need to just bite the bullet and apply for full time jobs, you need one, your current lifestyle has outgrown part time working and you soon won’t be able to afford that anymore. So just start looking now so you’ve got time to find a job you want

Yes this is my thought.
Why won't I be able to afford it soon? Doesn't UC top up my earnings if I don 't earn enough regardless?

Have you thought about doing delivery driving/ care work to supplement your part time income?

You will still loose money though once DC is 18

I understand about not wanting to lose a secure job. Do you have any skills that will help you start your own business? I'm in a similar situation (though my child is much younger) and I've started a business on the side, which I hope will grow over the next few years so I can come off UC. I have chosen something that I can do flexibly around main job and that I already had the qualifications for.

Surely UC are expecting you to be applying for full time jobs as it's not an option just to stay on UC and choose to work part time.

I never said i wanted to stay part time? I want more hours and have been actively seeking more. I 'm over the AET threshold, so its just a case of trying to get another job or leaving my secure one for a full -time position. I feel having a second job gives more security than leaving the one i've already got and for a job that may not work out. What are your thoughts????

Do you have a car? Could you do something like uber or just eat deliveries around your main job when you have time? Or dog walking, caring, babysitting, cleaning? Good luck!

When your child is 18 you no longer child element or disabled child element or work allowance

Have a look at your UC statement. It is likely that you are getting the payment only because you have a child under 18. At least that gives you a couple of years to find either a full time job or another part time one.

a full time job is also more likely to offer advancement and opportunities for salary growth. It’s not just a matter of coming off UC, but of hopefully getting to live a lifestyle beyond those constraints.

Would your current employer be able to transition you to full time if you had additional training or skills? That is another option to consider.

I had multiple part time jobs until recently. It dud feel quite secure in that the chances of losing all jobs at the samevtime was unlikely. But I now have one full time role and it is better paid plus organising annual leave is much easier.

You say your job makes it difficukt to have two jobs due to weekends. But are any evenings free?

Did you ask your current job, if as they can't give you more hours, and you need the money, they would not make you work on the Saturday?

The good thing is you have plenty of time to find another job.

Yes ive looked into a few second jobs. I dont want self employment though. Maybe i could do bar work and have applied for one tonight.

Yes im aware I'll lose alot of money, child element, child benefit and work allowance. From my calculations it looks as though i'll still have around £1,800 per month take home pay, but then child will have to help contribute towards rent and bills. Im not making excuses, just stating that a fulltime job on minimum wage is basicually the same amount here, but i know working more is the way forward. I've applied for a zero contract job this evening, so fingers crossed, but if it doesn't work out having two jobs, i may have to bite the bullet and go full-time elsewhere. I have time luckily.

I was about to suggest bar work. This is what I do as a second job and I just tell them my availability. Be aware there is quieter times such as Jan - March where hours aren’t so available but you can normally work extra over the busy Xmas and new year period to balance that and depending on the venue there can be tips as well.

Yes this is it and I know i would regret leaving it. I have applied for second jobs, but i dont want to be self employed either. I'm thinking maybe a zero contract on the side would be the way forward for me. Well done on starting your own business and all the best for the future.

Yes this may be the way forward for me too. How many hours do you work a week if you dont mind me asking?

Yes i have both formally and informally asked my work for more hours this past year, but they said they don't have any. They have the occasional overtime, but thats not enough and I need contracted hours per week. I 'm going to keep looking for a second job this year and hopefully i'll find one that im happy with, which will top me up to full time hours and give me more security..

I work 28 hours a week term time plus a 9-10 hour shift minimum per week (Saturday) but will sometimes pick up a Friday and or Sunday too which adds another 6-9 hours per shift. School holidays generally tie in with busier periods so will do extra shifts then so actual worked hours remain the same but more money comes in as term time wages are divided so I get the same monthly paid year round

Think you may have to bite the bullet and look for another job tbh. I understand why you would be worried about leaving your job but working an extra job ontop is going to bring it’s own challenges as well. Have you had a look at whats available in your area?

Sounds like you've got the two jobs working well for you, so it's doable.

I would be thinking of the tax implications of a 2nd job as even if you top up by another 10 hours at a different place of work you’ll pay 20% tax on those 10 hours wage, meaning you’d have to work more hours to meet a full time salary.
you’d be best looking for a full time job

Sounds like people are divided between the two. I guess its whats best for me and my current availability /situation really. Yes i look everyday and apply for something every day, but its finding the right job to fit. There are no fulltime jobs available in what im currently doing around here atm and i dont want to travel further in case my car dies, which is also another worry I have. If i get a local second job, then i suppose i can pick and choose to work around me so it may be the way forward.