Universal Credit and fluctuating hours

[NabooThatsWho]

I’ve been working as a community care assistant part-time since June. I have a DD aged 3. Under UC I have to work a minimum of 16 hours.

Every month my total hours worked have been different, due to the nature of the job (clients cancelling calls and availability of hours).

I’m August I was able to work a bit more due to my mum being free to mind DD. In September, I could only work when DD was in nursery school, so my hours were around 16 per week.

Now UC have messaged me saying I have to do everything in my power to search for work or work more hours or I will be sanctioned.

Have they done this because I worked on average 21 hours per week in August, and went back down to 16 hours in September? Are they now expecting me to work 21 hours per week every week?

I’m in the process of getting a mortgage and have been advised to avoid childcare costs until the mortgage is complete. Once I’m in my new house I will get a childminder and work more hours.

I will ring them but it takes around 45 minutes for them to answer so thought I would ask on here first if anyone had been through similar?

UC doesn't pay for a mortgage ( no housing benefit part of benefits)

Are you a lone parent?

Yes I’m a lone parent.
I’m not expecting help with the mortgage.

I’m just wondering if I will be penalised for working less hours than I did in August, even though I’m still above the 16 hour threshold.

I'm guessing it's more to do with the age of your child as 3 is a change in working hours expected I think.

I don't understand how you have a house deposit ( presumably) and still qualify for UC ? Obviously you don't have to answer the question but unless the house is very cheap surely you would have significant savings for the deposit ?

You don’t need a deposit for right to buy. Also many places you could buy a two up two down for £59,500.