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Original poster

UC-if one partner earns enough can the other not work ?

71 replies

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 16:57

I know they are changing the rules for age 3 and up a parent has to then do 30 hrs but I wasn’t sure if one partner earns enough can the other not work ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:01

My partner could earn in 15 hours what I would in 30 as he is in a better paid job than I could ever get so would he able to just do 15 more hours to then do my work allowance for me if that makes sense ? For various reasons I can’t work

OP posts:
Ylvamoon · 10/11/2023 17:01

Of course you can be a SAHP ....
But you might not be entitled to UC.... so, if you can afford not to work without the UC element of your income, nobody in this world will stop you.

Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:02

I think you’d need to work if you are planning on claiming UC. Although you say you can’t work, is that for medical reasons? If so then you may get an exemption.

Original poster
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:03

Ylvamoon · 10/11/2023 17:01

Of course you can be a SAHP ....
But you might not be entitled to UC.... so, if you can afford not to work without the UC element of your income, nobody in this world will stop you.

We get UC so I think the changes will apply to us when they come into effect I’m just wondering if I can transfer my work requirement to dp so that as a household we are still doing what they say or does it matter what each individual in a couple is doing ? Or do they just care about meeting a minimum amount of money or hours ?

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TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 17:05

If you can’t work I’m assuming that’s due to illness, which I think their are exceptions for, have you looked into PIP?

StarlightLime · 10/11/2023 17:06

You're effectively looking for benefits to enable you to stay home?

fitforflight · 10/11/2023 17:06

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:03

We get UC so I think the changes will apply to us when they come into effect I’m just wondering if I can transfer my work requirement to dp so that as a household we are still doing what they say or does it matter what each individual in a couple is doing ? Or do they just care about meeting a minimum amount of money or hours ?

Show quote history

I thought I'd read both parents will need to be working either now or when new rules come in (depending on age of children). Happy to be corrected though.

Why can't you work?

ToBeOrNotToBee · 10/11/2023 17:06

This govt really is shit.

If women want to be a SAHP they're going to miss out on their pension credits.

For what?

fitforflight · 10/11/2023 17:08

ToBeOrNotToBee · 10/11/2023 17:06

This govt really is shit.

If women want to be a SAHP they're going to miss out on their pension credits.

For what?

A SAHP can have their pension credits from being the child benefit claimant.

Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:09

ToBeOrNotToBee · 10/11/2023 17:06

This govt really is shit.

If women want to be a SAHP they're going to miss out on their pension credits.

For what?

If someone wants to be a SAHP they can, just not paid for by benefits.

Original poster
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:09

It’s because of medical reasons but I don’t get PIP. Multiple conditions.

we get UC already but we just thought if they call me and say I have to work a certain amount of hours or earn a certain amount could we just transfer that to dp so he can do my work requirements to satisfy them ?

OP posts:
Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:10

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:03

We get UC so I think the changes will apply to us when they come into effect I’m just wondering if I can transfer my work requirement to dp so that as a household we are still doing what they say or does it matter what each individual in a couple is doing ? Or do they just care about meeting a minimum amount of money or hours ?

Show quote history

No I’m pretty sure you can’t transfer your work requirements to your dp so you can stay at home and still get benefits. If you have a medical exemption then you may be able to.

Spinnymop · 10/11/2023 17:10

If you are self employed, its worked out like this:

Once your child turns 3 they'll apply a minimum income floor based on 30 hours a week of minimum wage work, and deduct what they expect you to earn.

I'm expected to work 25 hours a week, so they deduct 25×minimum wage hourly rate, it's about £1100 per month. However, the first 300 or so of your wages doesn't count, then it's 66p of every pound I think. The actual amount of money taken from my UC is 335 per month.

Once they start deducting the money they don't care how much you work or what money you bring in, they just take it out automatically. I'm self employed so sometimes I meet the minimum income floor, sometimes not. They don't care unless you earn over the threshold then they take more.

Noicant · 10/11/2023 17:11

How many hours does he do atm? It may not be reasonable to expect him to do it if he’s already full time even if you could. Can you not look at the PIP route again if you have medical reasons for not working?

TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 17:11

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:09

It’s because of medical reasons but I don’t get PIP. Multiple conditions.

we get UC already but we just thought if they call me and say I have to work a certain amount of hours or earn a certain amount could we just transfer that to dp so he can do my work requirements to satisfy them ?

I don’t think so no, you will need to look into lwcra and see if that helps because if your illness.

Original poster
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:11

It’s a shame if it can’t be transferred between partners in the same household , that would enable people with difficult circumstances so much more flexibility to manage their needs

OP posts:
Original poster
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:12

Noicant · 10/11/2023 17:11

How many hours does he do atm? It may not be reasonable to expect him to do it if he’s already full time even if you could. Can you not look at the PIP route again if you have medical reasons for not working?

He said he is happy to so it’s fine for him it’s just adding 2 more shifts

OP posts:
Iwant2beJessicaFletcher · 10/11/2023 17:13

I'm not sure about the rules on this, but why isn't your partner already working full time? From what you've said he's part time & you're claiming UC. Wouldn't it be better if he worked full time anyway so you'd have more income?

StarlightLime · 10/11/2023 17:13

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:09

It’s because of medical reasons but I don’t get PIP. Multiple conditions.

we get UC already but we just thought if they call me and say I have to work a certain amount of hours or earn a certain amount could we just transfer that to dp so he can do my work requirements to satisfy them ?

If he has the capacity to work these extra hours, why isn't he doing so already rather than claiming benefits?
I don't think benefits should be available to those who'd rather work less to have a better work/life balance Confused

TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 17:13

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:11

It’s a shame if it can’t be transferred between partners in the same household , that would enable people with difficult circumstances so much more flexibility to manage their needs

The flexibility is there if you go through the proper channels. But it’s designed to stop people from just avoiding work and put them in a better position financially.

Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:13

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:11

It’s a shame if it can’t be transferred between partners in the same household , that would enable people with difficult circumstances so much more flexibility to manage their needs

Well no, because people should be working to pay for their lifestyle not depending on benefits to pay for them to stay at home. If you really can’t work because of medical reasons, and your doctor agrees, you can be put into a different group in UC which will mean you don’t have the same work requirements.

Greycottage · 10/11/2023 17:14

Don’t really get this. If your partner has good earning potential (2x yours, so presumably 2x min wage) then he can just work full time and pick up overtime/extra shifts to support your family. I don’t understand where claiming benefits comes into it.

Original poster
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:14

I was declined for PIP twice and i haven’t got the energy to try again. I can try for LCWRA I think maybe I’ll need to do that we just thought maybe he could take my work requirement from me

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TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 17:16

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:14

I was declined for PIP twice and i haven’t got the energy to try again. I can try for LCWRA I think maybe I’ll need to do that we just thought maybe he could take my work requirement from me

Yes try for that as it will put you in a different work group. If he can work more then he should anyway to improve your quality of life as a family.

Original poster
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:16

Greycottage · 10/11/2023 17:14

Don’t really get this. If your partner has good earning potential (2x yours, so presumably 2x min wage) then he can just work full time and pick up overtime/extra shifts to support your family. I don’t understand where claiming benefits comes into it.

We already get UC , currently he’s working the hours he does as I do need him home sometimes but if I’m going to get pushed into working when I can’t he would rather do my hours for me if he has to which isn’t ideal but if he has to he would

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