Maternity allowance ending, not eligible for UC

[rachelleiigh]

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone’s been in a similar situation. I was at uni last year but had to take a study break when I got pregnant. I worked part-time in care, but had to quit as it was too physical, so I’ve been on maternity allowance which now ends this month.

My little boy is 6 months old and I’ll have no income once it stops. My partner earns too much for UC but not enough to cover both of us—he already pays all the bills, food, and rent. I still need to cover my car, insurance, and phone, but he can’t help as he’s also paying into an IVA. We can’t share a car as he only has a work van.

I do have some savings, but they won’t last very long. I’m not sure if I can return to uni in February, and I’d ideally like to hold off going back to work as my little one is only 6 months and i’m really treasuring this time with him. Also nursery fees would take up most of my wage. Has anyone else been through similar to this? I’d be really grateful for any advice or tips, as I’m feeling quite stuck right now.

There is loads of help with childcare costs now. Have a look here. www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/

If you worked in care you can easily pick up agency work on the days your DP is off.

Yeah, this. It can't be he's literally working 24 hours a day or is expected to drop things and go to work at any given time.

He must be exaggerating as that wouldn't even be legal. Unless he's literally being paid for 24 hours per day. And I don't think any job would do that? I mean when is he expected to sleep and eat?

Can I ask where you got the information that you wouldnt received UC? There is no set threshold. It's all based on individual circumstances. There's no if you work x amount of hours or earn x amount you wouldn't get UC.

Have you been to the Entitled to website and did a benefits calculation? It's very accurate as long as you input all the details correctly.

If you rent, have a child and/or childcare costs, there's a very high possibility you would receive some sort of UC payment unless he is earning huge amounts.

Looking for work in a nursery might be a good place to start if they can offer a cheaper place for your baby. They might want you to work in a different room/age group than your child.

You could look into child minding at home. I think you have to go on a course and apply for a licence but you could look into it. At least then you have no childcare costs.

Could your partner ask for a set shift pattern or even set days - telling his employer that you need to work and that is very difficult when he never knows when he is working.

Can your partner ask for his IVA amount to be looked at as he now has a child and partner that he is supporting.

Have you claimed child benefit?

You could see if you have a food share/community pantry where anyone can pay a small fee to get food. That could free up a little money as food is so expensive now.

It’s a legal option. Whether you agree with it or not is your choice - I would not judge anyone for taking this option if they needed to based on their individual circumstances.

In all honesty no I don’t believe it’s legal! I have raised this issue with him and it was raised during pregnancy too. I was told the shifts could change but that seems to be a bit of an iffy discussion for us! It looks like it will have to change or he’ll have to contribute to childcare so I can work! Thank you!

I’ve had questions about it and the legality. He tells me they have a legal loophole but I definitely have my questions about that. The idea is he does 6 x 12 hour shifts a week but the 24 hour call out days can fall on his days off. We’ve had heated discussions about this. I think it’s now at the point where he will have to sort the nursery with me or change his job/shifts to suit the needs of the family now so i can work

I get that which is why I don’t have an issue going back to work as previously stated. Yes i’d love to avoid it to spend more time with my little boy but if it can’t be done then that’s fine. I’ve seen so many posts on social media of families on higher incomes receive Universal Credit which they seem to be legally entitled to. There’s no harm in asking the question, I think most people would like to spend more time with their little one when possible

Thank you I’ll look into this, didn’t even think of agency work

Yeah, it certainly does sound dodgy. I hope he can maybe find a better job, and you a part time one. X

I was on a reliable form of contraception, I even changed it after suffering from a miscarriage on a different contraception (:
I’ve worked my whole life since leaving education, even while at uni. I’ve paid taxes since leaving education. You seem like the type who is clearly miserable with their own life since you’ve actually took time out of your clearly dull day to comment this. I really hope you eventually find happiness, you clearly desperately need it! ♡

On call is a grey area legally as to whether it contributes to working time and rest breaks.

The amount of UC is very dependent on your rent and whether you lie in a high or a low LHA rent area. My daughter got it when she lived in Ealing but not when she lived in Croydon despite her earnings not changing.

It doesn’t help immediately but from 9 months you can get the 30 funded hours for childcare if you are working. It works out at 22.4 hours once it’s spread across the year, but that along with tax free childcare should mean your childcare bill might not be as high as you’re expecting.

How much longer does your partner have on his IVA, I agree with previous post, he should ask if payments can be reduced due to change in circumstances.

God what an absolutely disgusting comment to make!

If you’re paying childcare fees then you might be eligible for UC.

A basic award of UC for a couple over 25 with one child and housing element of £500 (I obviously estimated because I have no idea what yours is), would be £1420.

If your partner brings home £2500 per month after tax and NI which is around £40k gross salary annually (again estimated) you would still receive around £270 in UC. That amount would obviously vary massively depending on your rent costs and the actual salary.

I would speak to CAB to see if the IVA is still the best way of dealing with the debts, given that you've had a change in circumstances (birth of baby). They will also be assess what benefits you are entitled to.

What's the background to his IVA? You rent and he doesn't have any assets like a car so it probably wasn't appropriate for his situation.

In any case, he should ask for a recalculation of his payment for his new circumstances with a family to support. IVAs are designed to allow home owners to keep their home, have a relatively normal life and pay their debts off with what's left, so he needs to talk to his supervisor.

But his work arrangements sound exploitative, he should be earning shed loads for a working pattern that restrictive and I bet he's not.

Sound advice.
CAB advisors can be very knowledgeable re: debt repayment etc.

How have you deduced that from her posts?

Why do you need a car if you are not working? Genuine question? If you don't want to return to work then it would be logical to sell it for a bit of cash and save on the various associated costs.

I’m surprised about the UC, as a lady who has a partner told me recently, that they would have to earn 8k a month to not be eligible, that did seem quite high to me.

But yes, if you have a good partner don’t be stuck like some of us. So work around things. Then i thought you can get free nursery hours from 9mths now, if i am right, I know it is sad to have to do that.
I stayed home but paid for myself, could have done with some of those savings back now. But it was better at the time. And then mine went to nursery at 3, and got the 15 hrs which I spread over 5 days.