Universal credit vs returning to work

[Amichelle84]

I don't know what to do for the best so looking here for advice from those more savvy than me.

Currently rent privately with partner and we have 2 babies under 2.

I'm on mate leave and due to return in June.

We both work, I've been in my job for 10yrs + and partner has just started a new contract job which he loves. Has been made redundant etc in the past and he's finally in a job he loves which has great potential for future promotion etc.

I earn a few hundred pounds more a month but hate my job.

We have saved enough for a 5% deposit and are currently looking to buy. I'm feeling anxious about this given our lives are so up in the air and cost of living rising etc.

We cannot afford childcare for us to both work full time. I am not able to return to work part time.

If I gave up work to care for kids full time would I be able to apply for universal credit?

Just worked out our monthly expenses based on just partners salary and we'd have about £200 left to spend on food and anything else which is not a lot.

If I do, should we stay renting for now and wait to buy?

I've never claimed benefits before so am a bit unsure of what to do for the best.

I'd be happy to get a weekend job if that would be better than getting UC.

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

Sounds good *@Amichelle84* and bear in mind it's temporary, in a year and a half you get the 30 hours childcare for your oldest, a year and a bit later you get that for your youngest and your oldest will be getting ready for school and you'll just have the wrap around care to pay for them.

There's also room for progression and pay increases for both you and your partner in that period.

Dd went to nursery from 9 months, at that point between DH and I our household income was £46,000, our childcare bill was over twice our mortgage. Now DD is 7, our household income is £102,000 and that's all because I was able to progress and quadruple my salary because I was back at work.

This x 1,000. You need to stay in the game. Look at childcare costs as a necessary investment in your career and the security and earning potential of your family unit. It is definitely a struggle. I’ve been there. It’s very daunting. It is temporary however. You won’t be able to buy a home for a number of years if you give up work. Plus, you’re leaving yourself in a very vulnerable financial position vis a vis your pension and earning trajectory should your relationship not work out. £200 or so a month left for food and other expenses such as shoes, coats, clothes etc is not enough. You’ll get in to difficulty before long.

@Amichelle84

We're based just outside of London for context on the rent and that's for a 2 bed. It's discounted too as we rent off of a friend.

My job role requires me to be on site sadly and I can't wfh or do reduced hours as they'd have to employ someone else to cover that time.

The maximum UC will include in your calculation will be the local housing allowance rate for a 2-bed property. That could well be a lot less than your actual rent.

Really, OP, entitledto.co.uk is your best bet, you can put all your info in and it will tell you exactly what, if anything, you would get.

Hawkins001 @ seen as she's on mat leave she absolutely can leave and make a successfulclaim. A new mother is not expected to work at all until child is age 3