Universal Credit Experts?

[CushieButterfieldd]

I'm currently getting the proverbial 'ducks in a row' to leave DP.

I'd be looking to move into a private rental with my almost 1 year old. I am currently not working but looking, preferably to go back part time for a while, then full.

I have looked at a couple of benefit calculators and I'm stumped as to if this is correct?

Roughly £280 a week UC not working, but with a wage of around £1700/month (pre tax and NI) plus childcare of £250/week, the universal credit is still £280/week? Or am I being thick and entering something wrong? It just doesn't sound correct?

If this is true I could probably leave DP sooner 😂

BTW this isn't a goady post, throwaway account and I don't understand how UC works when it comes to housing etc as I've been fortunate enough never to have had to claim.

It sounds about right you get back 85% of childcare cost so that bumps it upthen the taper rate brings it down again. Are you including rental costs on the calculator?

Oh wow. I had added £450 to the eligible rent section, as that the cost of flats I'd been looking at to rent in the first instance.

So you should get 334.91 (individual allowance) + 244.58 (child allowance) +850 childcare + 450 rent =1879.49

Then work out your taper rate 1700-344 (work allowance when you have a child) =1356 *.55 = 745.80

Total entitlement of 1879.49 - 745.80 (taper rate deductions) means you should get 1133.69 a month so 280 a week give or take.

Hope it all goes well for you. On a personal note I've been claing UC for a year as a single parent who works full time and I've found it really easy. If you're working you go into the light touch category and they just send your payments every month. The horror stories are mainly for the long term out of work.

The max they will pay for childcare for 1 child is £646.35

If your rent is higher, then they will go up to the max LHA rate for your area. EG in Brum it's up to £625 for a 2 bedroom.

Like PP said, UC is really easy when you are working. I just make sure I update my childcare costs each month- occasionally get them to review the amount but it's pretty consistent.

oh the wage also goes off your net pay not your gross.

Thank you all. I was beginning to get overwhelmed with the information and terms. I’m not in a good place mentally either so I just needed it explaining a little I think. It seems like it would be fairly straight forward once it’s all set up etc. I just didn’t want to make moves then find out I can’t afford to live alone. I’m so desperately unhappy though so need to get out ASAP.
thank you

So the total amount in hand would be 1700.00 + 1133.69 = £2833.69 is that correct?

@CushieButterfieldd it can be a minefield but once you are used to it, it's fine. Don't forget child benefit as well- if you are a single parent you can get it weekly- that's £21 a week.

Is your current home with your partner rented or do you own it ?

Current home is owned jointly. V little assess and could be easily bought out if he wanted to keep house. I’d be returning to hometown so no interest in keep it personally. Only think keeping me here is child access now, I can’t see how it will work

Do you mean very little equity in it ? If there is equity, then Uc may only be able to disregard your share if it is being sold.

Oh ok, thanks I’ll look into that.

The figure for not working is completely wrong. You would get the adult and child allowance of £578 combined and some money towards your rent. You would also be able to claim a council tax discount directly from the council.

Is that weekly? That seems excessive. This is the breakdown, “no job sold house” with £10k in bank account even though the sale of the house wouldn’t be that much for my half, I just went high.