Contemplating whether to be SAHM? Do Universal credits pay more?

[CarmineInWonderland]

I am contemplating on whether to be SAHM.
There's hear say that it is better off being on benefits than working as wages go to childcare.

It would be a dream but it would mean one less wage and relying on my hubby's income which isn't enough to cover a toddler and a baby.

What are the thoughts of being a SAHM on universal credits after maternity leave?

How old are your children? Even if your family qualify due to a low income , Im sure you will be expected to prepare or look for work for anything up to full time hours depending on your circumstances.
The DWP requires proof of this or you will be sanctioned and have your UC reduced accordingly.
The only way youd be able to avoid looking or preparing for work completely is lf you have a serious long term health condition.and you are not expected to get better.
Be careful what you wish for OP. The system has changed to prevent people from doing exactly what you fancy doing longterm..

Also, you'll probably have to pay full council tax between you. That's quite a whack now. Depending on where you live it could take a fair chunk of what you'd get from UC. And you would absolutely be expected to pay it out of your UC. While providing proof that you're looking for work.

Oh I think it’s coming under this one…

Those that can work should work. No one should be a SAHM unless they can do so without claiming working people’s money.

We’ve all had to work whilst bringing up children, you just have to suck it up too. Thats life!

By quitting work and having a nice break as a SAHM, through working hard and paying my taxes, I am effectively paying for you to stay home.

How does that make you feel?

This is why the thought of a "temporary SAHM" is up in the air. Not saying I would be one, there is way too many outgoings to do so, it's a harsh situation that we have to work to earn our keep and for the children.

It's not an ideal situation for those that are claiming but some don't have a choice. I do question how do they actually get their nice cars when us working parents have to work our butt for them, this is when we feel very outraged.

I do question how do they actually get their nice cars when us working parents have to work our butt for them, this is when we feel very outraged

Ahh so your post was rage bait. Who is "they"?

It's probably easier if you rent, if you have a sizeable mortgage, I doubt they would pay that.

I work and get UC. I work my butt off but have gone part time now to have more time with my kids. I have decided raising my babies as SM is more important than paying more tax

You'll generally get flamed for your post as most on mums net vilify benefit claiming (which is often probably jealousy because they aren't entitled to claim themselves due to many having high incomes)

However there should be NO shame in a mother using UC where possible to be able to stay at home with her children whilst they are little.It is awful in this country how mothers get such little Maternity pay and are often forced to separate from their little ones so soon for multiple, long days a week.It can be emotionally detrimental for both parties.Who wouldn't want to avoid that if they had an option to??

If a UC top up can mean that one parent can work less hours/not work to enable them to be there for their young child/ren, then that is only a positive thing.

You've literally just said you wanted to do the same.

This post clearly isn't genuine.

Answer the question of how much you husband earns and we will tell you if you would be entitled. You seem to be ignoring that question so my guess is he earns a fair bit.

You’re rage baiting so sure, go ahead and start your new easy life on piles of benefits as if that is a thing that happens.

If someone is getting a high award, there will be a reason.

I don’t have skin in the game here, I’ve been a SAHM and a working one and never claimed a penny (not even child benefit!) but it’s not regular families claiming UC I’m angry at when it comes to economic inequality in this country. And I’m plenty angry about it. Stop letting people pit us against each other.

Yes that also, but the huge-seeming figures that make Daily Fail headlines are invariably down to living in a high rent area or having multiple children in childcare. With the frothing readers failing/being incapable of understanding that the claimant sees little of that money, the majority goes straight into the pocket of the landlord or nursery!

i dont know why people get in a rage
but i hope you are wearing a hard hat
turn to us is the best website

Funny people this is only ever said to women who work. What about all the dads out there? Aren't their children only young once too? Should we just have all parents of young children give up their jobs and go on benefits because "they are only young once"?

My friend a single mum recently lost her job and was entitled to £700 a month, was applying for around 10 a week and took her 4 months to find a lower paid admin job. Now she's on 30k a year and turns out still entitled to £350 a month in UC and now free school meals. It's definitely better to be working!

But they get the benefit of living somewhere expensive and their children being in nursery. I don’t understand comments like yours, money isn’t only worth something as cash in your hand. People not on benefits are paying for their own rent and childcare, it’s coming from somewhere.

"the benefit of living somewhere expensive" - what, like anywhere within the M25? Major cities rely on low paid workers. They should be able to live a sensible distance from where they work!

"the benefit of living somewhere expensive" - what, like anywhere within the M25? Major cities rely on low paid workers. They should be able to live a sensible distance from where they work!

Thank you for being understanding.

Some people can get a bit too sensitive. I can only apologise to some keyboard warriors.

I'm returning to work very soon and I was only looking for opinions that's all. 😅

Thank you. This has been helpful to know, sounds like UC is only for those who need a helping hand.