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Original poster

Am I entitled to anything?

28 replies

hwolah · 07/11/2023 15:56

So, my partner will be going back to University while I’m on maternity leave, we’ve also worked out that with the children it just doesn’t make sense for me to go back to work as we’d be spending all of my wage on childcare etc (eldest will be at school too and don’t have anyone to help with pick ups and drop offs.) I’m wondering if I’ll be entitled to any benefits? My partner intends on finding weekend work to help top up his student loan but I think we’ll still be short on what we need

OP posts:
AllQuietOnTheWesternFront · 07/11/2023 15:58

You will be but they'll be taking into account his student loans so it probably won't cover everything.
Need to do a benefit calculation and speak to CAB.

Original poster
hwolah · 07/11/2023 16:02

I’ve tried to do one but it doesn’t let me online due to me putting him down as a student. I’ll give them a ring tomorrow thank you!

OP posts:
Stresa22 · 07/11/2023 16:02

I don’t know but I would feel vulnerable not to have one full time wage at this point especially while you’re on maternity leave.

ZombieBoob · 07/11/2023 16:03

Try entitledto.co.uk

waitholdup · 07/11/2023 16:04

How many dc do you have? and going to work is not simply a wages thing, its a keeping your skills relevant, your pension, your progression

Original poster
hwolah · 07/11/2023 16:04

I do I’m dreading it tbh but our situation won’t ever change unless he goes back to uni so while it’ll be a crappy couple of years it’ll be worth it in the long run I hope

OP posts:
LegendsBeyond · 07/11/2023 16:05

That’s not a good time to be going to Uni. As PP says, work isn’t just about wage, it’s pension, career development etc.

YouveGotAFastCar · 07/11/2023 16:07

Can he go back when you’re not on maternity leave?

It’ll be a struggle otherwise. To be honest it’ll probably be a struggle anyway, but a lot less of one when you’re back at work.

Original poster
hwolah · 07/11/2023 16:08

Just two and I know I have had this thought I know it also makes it harder to get back into work after being unemployed. Nothing is final yet I’m just exploring all avenues

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 07/11/2023 16:38

Best source of advice would be Help to Claim run by Citizens Advice 0800 144 8 444.

winniethedoo · 07/11/2023 18:23

You can't raise a family on just a student loan, even single students need part time work to top things up and what about the tuition fees. So you must be entitled to some benefits surely. You'd not even be able to pay rent never mind food and bills on a student loan and nothing else.

Jmaho · 07/11/2023 18:26

I would look at going back to work. I'd feel very vulnerable with both of you not working. You may find that the majority of your childcare costs would be covered by UC

AlanBrazil · 07/11/2023 18:27

winniethedoo · 07/11/2023 18:23

You can't raise a family on just a student loan, even single students need part time work to top things up and what about the tuition fees. So you must be entitled to some benefits surely. You'd not even be able to pay rent never mind food and bills on a student loan and nothing else.

I think that's why the non student would be expected to look for work

Lovingitallnow · 07/11/2023 18:28

I wouldn't give up my job to be a sahp parent unless I really wanted to and could afford it. You're thinking short term about your entire wage going on childcare. This way you're losing your entire wage so net net it's the same. Except you're also making it harder to progress, pension contributions and might actually earn less when you return to work. Also if you're not married then it muddies the water with any assets you buy if he's the only earner.

Neriah · 07/11/2023 18:32

Just an additional thought. Many universities have childcare facilities. Worth exploring if there is help through the university.

Overthebow · 07/11/2023 18:32

How long are you planning on taking for mat leave? Could you go back sooner and bring in some money?

Lizzt2007 · 07/11/2023 18:33

You can qualify if he's studying as you can claim due to being on maternity. In order to work out an entitlement put your details in but put him as not working or studying. When it gives you the entitlement figure you then need to deduct the full maintenance loan he'll receive from the amount it tells you. There's no income disregard for loans. Do not include any fees loan, they are disregarded. Make sure to put your maternity pay in. That'll give you a basic idea of the amount you may get, however it's going to be extremely tight. Dont forget that if you do qualify for anything any wages from jobs he gets will also be deducted from universal credit, albeit with a disregard and not £ for £, you get to keep 65p per £ above the disregarded amount.

Whataretheodds · 07/11/2023 18:39

Flip it round:

You are employed. Your partner is becoming a student. Childcare is needed: what are the options.

Uni childcare
Each of you works part time
What's needed to plug the gap?

BrieAndChilli · 07/11/2023 18:46

Could you get any evening job? That way you DH can look after the kids while you work and you can look after kids and do school runs etc while he is at Uni.

it will be tough for a couple of years - we did this as had 3 kids so childcare was insane plus 2 of them had multiple health appts so made sense for me to be around in the day.
it’s not forever as soon as the youngest went to school o got a day job. Started part time within school hours and now they are teens I’m now full time and earning nearly 6 times what I did part time .

SpoonyBitchell · 07/11/2023 18:58

This is a really bad time for him to be starting uni.

And having a degree definitely does not always = better pay or prospects.

Shinyandnew1 · 07/11/2023 19:11

How many years has he got left till he graduates? Will this degree lead straight into a well-paid career?

I can’t begin to imagine how we’d pay the bills if DH was a student and I wasn’t working, let alone a mortgage. What are your current outgoings?

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 07/11/2023 19:24

This is just not going to work, financially. Either your DH needs to do some of the weekday childcare, so that you can return to your current job, and he studies in the evening or, if he is doing the kind of course which doesn't give him any flexibility during the day, one or both of you needs an evening/weekend job.

And think about your future as an individual, as well as your future as a family. There are no guarantees. What happens if you and your DH divorce after his course finishes? You'll have given up your own career, and gone through 2 years of hardship; he'll be sitting pretty.

Shinyandnew1 · 07/11/2023 19:25

What course is he doing-how many hours of lectures each week?

JamMakingWannaBe · 07/11/2023 19:28

Can he study via the OU rather than being a FT student?

Lavenderhazee · 07/11/2023 19:30

What’s the course? Some only have a few contact hours per week. If that’s the case, it would make sense to me for him to look after the children whilst you work and for him to fit in his work in the evenings. Then if you need to find childcare around his contact hours.