Is a teacher able to claim UC?

[Sillysha31]

Hi all!

I just wanted to ask if anyone had anything similar.

I am a full time teacher in my second year of teaching (£34k a year) and I currently live at my parents home with my daughter (had to move home when training due to the cost of university fees). I have looked at renting a house and wondered whether I would be eligible for any support from UC due to me being a single mum. Due to the cost of living rent has increased dramatically and I think I would struggle to make ends meet if I did move into rented accommodation. Just wanted to see if anyone has come across this as everyone I have spoken to has told me I earn to much to get any support from UC.

Try a benefits calculator. Links to three on this page https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Quite possibly depending on rent.

If you had childcare fees to pay then you could qualify for UC. But probably not on £34k. Have you got a student loan. But it's certainly worth checking.

I am a single parent teacher earning just slightly less than you. I get UC but I do have 2 children and one of them is disabled which impacts how much I am entitled to

Also I have no childcare fees

Yes very possible, especially with rent. I know teachers on UC.

If you pay rent, particularly in an area with high housing costs you may well be entitled to UC.

Use a self help tool like turn to us or call help to claim: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

I used to be a teacher and was on similar. I did get some UC when my relationship broke down and I had to move out short notice. But my rent on a small 2 bed was over £1000, and it was 6 years ago, so probably isn't accurate now. No childcare as just one school aged child.

My suggestion: don't move out just yet, especially if parents sometimes help with childcare and babysitting. Instead work out budget/finances as if you were renting (include all outgoings rent, council tax, energy and water, internet, insurance, any extra travel costs etc). Then try saving that total amount each month - put it in an easy access savings account initially in case you can't manage. That way you can save for a deposit to buy somewhere and also see how it would be financially if you did move out and did not get UC. I did something similar as a young teacher, but living frugally, questioning whether every item you want is essential is hard.
Sorry cannot help with UC question, but I would add that the UK is in a shameful state if a teacher is not paid enough to live independently, not just the salary but the housing situation and ridiculous rents. (I blame Thatcher).

If you're looking to rent then you need to know about Local Housing Allowance and how much of market rent UC will actually cover.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/local_housing_allowance_lha_for_private_renters