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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

UC ?

14 replies

user1492848984 · 15/05/2024 07:48

Hi,

both me and my husband work, I work 16 hours and my husband works 40 hours.
I don’t work full time because we have 2 kids and one is disabled and claims DLA..
We are on UC, while we don’t get a lot i get the disabled child element which helps a lot. I’ve had a message this morning about possibly looking for work, and agreeing to possible sanctions if I don’t agree to it? Have I missed something? I thought this was ok? Or do both parents need to be working full time now? My kids are 9 and 3! Any advice would help.

OP posts:
Tdcp · 15/05/2024 09:34

I would query this, if you receive the disabled child element you have to be giving care to a child for 35 hours a week, if you're doing this then how can you and your partner both be working full time?

Original poster
user1492848984 · 15/05/2024 10:56

Tdcp · 15/05/2024 09:34

I would query this, if you receive the disabled child element you have to be giving care to a child for 35 hours a week, if you're doing this then how can you and your partner both be working full time?

I don’t? I work 16 hours?

OP posts:
Original poster
user1492848984 · 15/05/2024 10:58

I haven’t updated my UC since I did it in 2022. I received the disability side but didn’t read properly about the 35 hours carers element and just haven’t thought about it.. I work within her school hours.

OP posts:
ZombieBoob · 15/05/2024 11:22

I think the previous poster ment that obviously you both can't work full time because of the caring you do. So you need to question the jobcentre as to why they've sent you this as its not supposed to happen

Tdcp · 15/05/2024 11:24

ZombieBoob · 15/05/2024 11:22

I think the previous poster ment that obviously you both can't work full time because of the caring you do. So you need to question the jobcentre as to why they've sent you this as its not supposed to happen

Sorry, yes this is what I meant.

Temporaryname158 · 15/05/2024 11:25

Isn’t the working requirement going up to 18 hours. It may be related to that

Original poster
user1492848984 · 15/05/2024 11:31

I didn’t know about the 18 hours till this morning, I’m guessing though that, that would be for people with kids that aren’t disabled!

@Tdcp apologies, I’m just in a panic this morning and not reading things right! But yeah, it’s not feesible! She requires too much support and hospital appointments etc for me to work full time, I’d loose my job if I was! x

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 15/05/2024 11:33

You mention you work 16 hours, and another mn'er mentions the new requirements are now for 18 hours.

I had heard on the radio on Monday that UC is now requiring those that work 16 hours to now work 18 hours.

However that will now mean all these people now looking for new jobs ! or trying to find an extra part time job - just for 2 hours ! or trying to get their current employer to give 2 more hours work.

I think it's an un thought out new policy, esp as so many vacancies are for 16 hours - probably coz of the 16 hour work requirement.

Can you reply to the message asking for further info, and can you also remind UC that you / your child are in receipt of the DLA ?

Original poster
user1492848984 · 15/05/2024 11:38

ive applied for the carers element on UC so they won’t force me to find more work, I didn’t know that this was an option, if I did, I didn’t think about it haha.. we’ll see what comes of that first before I speak to them! @OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 15/05/2024 11:39
  • I just did a bit of Googling, and here is part of what I found:
  • Further information:We amended Regulation 99 (6) of the UC Regulations 2013 to raise the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) to £892 per calendar month for individual claimants and £1473 per calendar month for couples on 6th May 2024, with the change being in force from 13th May 2024.
  • With this change, individuals earning below £892 a month or £1,437 for couples - so working less than half of a full-time week - will have to meet more frequently with their work coach to up their earnings. This is up from £617 for individuals and £988 for couples.
  • Previously, the Administrative Earnings Threshold was increased in September 2022 to 12 hours per week at the National Living Wage, and again in January 2023 to 15 hours per week.
  • Impacted claimants will receive a message in their Universal Credit journal and are encouraged to talk to their work coach to understand what it means for them and the help on offer.
  • As with previous increases, claimant commitments will be tailored to personal circumstances and will take into account caring responsibilities as well as any health conditions.
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 15/05/2024 11:40

I would hope and expect that the final paragraph refers to you in your situation.

WithACatLikeTread · 18/05/2024 15:35

Are you sure it wasn't a generic message? With you both working you surely meet the old and new couples AET.

Miracleasap · 18/05/2024 15:40

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon thing is. If you are a single parent what are you meant to do if you earn less than the £900 or whatever it is. Not all schools have childcare available it's not as simple in reality to just work more hours. It will be a nightmare for many.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 18/05/2024 17:18

@Miracleasap

I agree, I said i thought it was an ill thought out policy in my 1st reply.

along with many people needing to find 2 more hours etc.

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