Universal Credits - Term Time Work

[HughGrantsHair]

Are there are single parent term time workers who are claiming Universal Credits here to shed some light on this query I have?

I am worrying about being transferred to UC because I'm a term time worker.

I currently work 32 hours a week.

Worked out over the year, I earn about £130 a month less than someone who is earning minimum wage for 37.5 hours a week.

Will I be penalised for this and expected to find a higher paid job? Being a single parent with children aged 13 and 14, I need to provide childcare in the holidays for them and my job is perfect for our family set up right now.

There's no way I can get more hours from my employer, what with all the funding cuts in school, this is a ridiculous idea anyway.

Is this going to cause me trouble when I'm switched to UC?

Is your wage paid in equal parts over 12 months?

@Babyroobs may help you.
She is the expert around here & I love her!

Thought I should add, no contact with their dad for years, so no childcare help from anywhere.

Yes it is Bernadette

If my maths is right, you earn approximately £10 a week less than the expected earnings for someone with children their ages.
You will be fine. You would be in the light touch group. Don't stress.

£130 a month would work out about £30 a week less than full time minimum wage.

What is the light touch group please?

Do you only get paid term time? Or like pp said, is it split equally over 12 months?

UC may actually work out well for you. If it's term time only your UC payments will be higher in the holidays when you're not receiving a wage. Whereas tax credits etc were all worked out on an average monthly wage and you'd be worse off during holidays because they accounted for some income.

If you claim for childcare it is a pain in the arse having to upload statements every month but it does mean less chance of an overpayment at the end of the year.

UC gets a really bad rep but if you go into it well informed it's not all bad

Squished, no I get paid the same amount every month of the year. Salary divided by 12.

No childcare costs as I work school hours.

This explains a little more.

It will be absolutely fine. As a single parent with a school hours, term time only job, you have the perfect job for your circumstances. You won't be expected to find more hours or better pay.

Here's some info if you're interested:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/claimant-commitment-what-group/#h-you-re-responsible-for-a-child

Also

The expectation is that when in work people in this group will earn at least the equivalent of 35 hours at National Minimum/Living Wage. This is known as the 'individual earnings threshold'. So if you earn the minimum wage then you will be expected to work for at least 35 hours a week. But note that if you earn above minimum wage you could be lifted above your earnings threshold but work less than 35 hours - the threshold is measured in terms of earnings not hours.

If you have a child aged under 13, you should talk to your personal adviser about what activities are realistic for you. You can ask for reasonable adjustments including to your expected number of work hours, for example, limiting the hours you are available to work so you can drop off and pick your child up from childcare or school. The expectation is that 25 hours should be appropriate if you have children of compulsory school age and 16 hours should be appropriate if you have children below compulsory school age, though this can vary depending upon your caring responsibilities. If you have an older child adjustments may still be approved.

From www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Claimant-commitment-Universal-Credit

Thank you for all your replies. They are really helpful. My youngest son has ADHD and autism too. Will this be taken into account when deciding my working hours they want me to do? I don't claim anything for him but he has a diagnosis.

AnotherEmma, that's really good to read. I earn over the amount for 25 hours of minimum wage a month spread over the year.

You should consider claiming DLA for him.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/

It's 25 hours a week
25 x £8.21 = £205.25/week = £889.42/month

Unless you claim DLA, they won't take this in to consideration. Is there any reason you dont claim DLA? As a single mum to a child with the same conditions, I claim DLA for him as it protects us as a family. It ensures my son has what he needs by having a parent around as much as possible, and to fund his extra costs. The premiums avaliable in tax credits (and UC) mean that I am able to work less hours to be more avaliable to him. His DLA goes on extra things for him (or replacing itema he has damaged in a meltdown!).

More info and advice on claiming DLA for your child
contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/benefits-financial-help/benefits-and-tax-credits/disability-living-allowance/

He's only recently had his diagnosis. It has taken so long. I will look into it although when I have downloaded the forms in the past to look at, they are rather daunting.

Thank you AnotherEmma, I meant a week but my typing is shocking. I earn more a week than someone working 25 hours minimum wage does.

Contact a Family can help with the forms. Definitely worth contacting them!

You don't need diagnosis for DLA. He just needs to have care needs that are over and above another child of the same age.

Eg. My son is 6. I have to watch him constantly because he is impulsive and unpredictable and may hurt himself or another child.
He has speech and language therapy in a daily basis by myself doing the exercises recommended by SALT.
He needs reminders and supervision on all aspects of personal hygiene and toileting as he can forget what he is doing and needs reminders to keep to task as well as physical help.

Btw, why are you worrying about transferring to Universal Credit? Assuming you're on tax credits atm and no change in circumstances, you'll stay as you are and won't have to transfer to UC until "managed migration".

I wasn't aware he didnt need a diagnosis but then until recently I wasn't aware that you could claim DLA for autism and ADHD! This thread has been really helpful, thank you everyone x

If he gets DLA you'll get extra tax credits or UC too.

I was just reading another thread on here earlier about UC and it suddenly hit me that I although I do 32 hours a week paid more than minimum wage, I probably earn less when it's spread over the whole year. Someone on the thread said it's best to know what's going to happen when the time comes. I could have a change of circumstances at any time that triggers it so just wanted to double check.

I'm doubly glad I asked now though because of all the great info about DLA.

At 13 &14 yes they will expect you to work year round unless they have sn. 12 is the cut off for most child care related exceptions