Universal credit, furlough, working tax credit confusion

[Hitchyhero]

So my partner became a taxi driver late last year, but because of covid he stopped as he would be considered high risk.

He wasn't entitled to furlough pay because he recently became self employed. We applied for universal credit and based on both of our income he was entitled to a whopping £50 per month. Pathetic to say the last as my full time wage is well below the national average.

However, we have a pretty low mortgage and outgoings, and I've been thinking about both of one of us working part time in the next few years to look after our adopted son . I've just spoken to a friend who is a stay at home mum and she said there's a calc online to work out how much working tax credits we would get if one or both of us works part time. She filled it all in for me.

Have to say, I'm fuming at the amount it came back with. Not because it was too low..... But too high... Especially considering how much 'covid' pay my husband has been getting.

Currently - my earnings is £1300 a month + £50 from universal credit for covid = £1350pm

But if we both worked part time and earned £750 each we would get £217 in child tax credits and £455 in working tax credits bringing in total = £2172

I'm confused and angry by these figures if they are correct. It would currently work out better for me to drop my hours and get near double the it would for me to work full time and get a measly £50 in universal credit

@Hitchyhero

I can do the calculation for you if you like??

You are a couple both over 25 with one Child born after 2017, and you have a mortgage, right?? Do you receive any DLA, PIP, carers allowance etc??

Please be aware though that when your DC is 3 years old you will be sanctioned if either of you voluntarily drop any hours at work, and batting any disabilities, you will both be required to work 51 hours per week between you both, and these hours will increase as your Child gets older.

Also if your DH goes back into self employment, after one year they will calculate your UC based on him earning 35 hours a week at minimum wage, even if he does not earn that much yet.

twitter.com/PaulieTandoori/status/1278236821072293888?s=20

Paul Treloar
@PaulieTandoori
And there you have it in black and white folks, you can now be sanctioned under Universal Credit if you cannot keep to your claimant commitment due to coronavirus. How brutal does this government want to be? #UniversalCredit #Sanctions

screenshot in link.

@whatactuallyisthis

Feel free to calculate. Yes I have a mortgage around £380.,child born after 2018. Both 25+. Don't receive anything else besides the £22.50 pw thing (child benefit or whatever its called)

@thereplycamefromanchorage

@whatactuallyisthis

Sorry!
The op won’t need to work 51 hours a week between them when her child turns 3. She will be on light touch as long as her dh earns £547 a month.
@whatactuallyisthis

If your DH has no income your UC should be about £400 month. Perhaps he had some income in that assessment period?

You can not claim Tax Credits and it is a myth that UC is more generous.

@AldiAisleofCrap light touch is only a temporary thing, so it would be wise to look into the future xx

@whatactuallyisthis I have never read in publications that light touch is temporary , do you have a link? Thanks