Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

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:
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:17

TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 17:16

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.

Will not getting PIP make it hard to be in the LCWRA group? Or is it separate

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

So if he’s a carer can that be added to your claim?

StarlightLime · 10/11/2023 17:18

Not only can you not work, your partner needs to work part time to look after you?

Ylvamoon · 10/11/2023 17:18

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

Why?

If your partner works say 30 hours/ week (for arguments sake)
And you are expected to also work 30 hours/ week that would mean your partner would have to work 60 hours a week or 5x 12 hours shift. Unless he signed some overtime exemption, it would be illegal for him to do so.
Also, if he gets paid extra for overtime, his employer might not be keen...

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:18

StarlightLime · 10/11/2023 17:13

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

So he can be at home at weekends as I do need the support. If he can do more hours if they ask me to work when I can’t then we are going to have to look at getting some kind of other support / help for when he’s not there

OP posts:
Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:20

@Stayingathome if you’re that unwell that you can’t do any job, and you need your husband to care for you then you should get the group in UC. I’m surprised you got turned down for PIP twice, was the second time an appeal or a second application?

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:20

I’m going to try and find out if I qualify for LCWRA and go from there

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 17:20

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:17

Will not getting PIP make it hard to be in the LCWRA group? Or is it separate

It’s separate. There are some Facebook groups for universal credit that are great at advising on this sort of stuff.

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:21

Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:20

@Stayingathome if you’re that unwell that you can’t do any job, and you need your husband to care for you then you should get the group in UC. I’m surprised you got turned down for PIP twice, was the second time an appeal or a second application?

A second application

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 17:22

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:21

A second application

I read on here that PIP is almost designed so that you have to appeal. So looking into appealing could be useful.

Pipistrellus · 10/11/2023 17:23

If he's on at least double minimum wage then if he works full time then would you be entitled to UC at all? If he earnt enough to take you off UC then you wouldn't have any work requirements.

Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:25

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:21

A second application

How long ago was that, can you still appeal? You’re more likely to get it in an appeal then just applying again.

Starlightstarbright2 · 10/11/2023 17:27

depending on when your claim for pip was look at MR ..

He won’t get carers without PIp

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:27

Overthebow · 10/11/2023 17:25

How long ago was that, can you still appeal? You’re more likely to get it in an appeal then just applying again.

It was about 4 months ago I think I’d have to apply again

OP posts:
Therealjudgejudy · 10/11/2023 17:27

Why did you not appeal the PIP decision if you are in such need?

Greycottage · 10/11/2023 17:28

How many hours does he work in the week? Surely 40hr working week (mon-fri) at more than minimum wage would mean you aren’t entitled to any benefits anyway.

I’m not doubting you, OP, but it would probably help if you explained why you can’t work, and you need support from
your husband on weekends.

Is there really no job you could do? Not even working in a shop, or call centre/data entry/admin working from home?

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:30

Pipistrellus · 10/11/2023 17:23

If he's on at least double minimum wage then if he works full time then would you be entitled to UC at all? If he earnt enough to take you off UC then you wouldn't have any work requirements.

He has just been doing the minimum amount he has to because of me currently , if he could work unlimited hours he would be able to earn quite well but things just haven’t been going well with my health.
I think I need to try for PIP again but I feel like they don’t understand and I really struggle to get things across

OP posts:
Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:31

Therealjudgejudy · 10/11/2023 17:27

Why did you not appeal the PIP decision if you are in such need?

A combination of things but mostly exhaustion and pain and just not being able to coordinate my thoughts to get the energy to appeal

OP posts:
FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 10/11/2023 17:32

This sort of thing pisses me off.

No, you can't do this. If you don't qualify for PIP, it's hard to see how you can be so severely affected that not only can you not work but your partner needs to work part time in order to look after you.

He ought to work full time, as he clearly can, and you can then make a family decision for you to be a SAHM. Then it's nobody else's business, as you and your partner can choose to do whatever you like with your family income.

FWIW, I'd also get married if you are unable to work, as your partner could just choose to leave you and take his income with him.

caringcarer · 10/11/2023 17:32

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 ?

No of course not. It's to make both people work. If you are too ill to work then pay for PIP.

Thistooshallpsss · 10/11/2023 17:32

The benefits system is a nightmare op so I would suggest a visit to citizens advice who can lost all the options for you with the benefit of up to date knowledge of all the benefit changes

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:33

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 10/11/2023 17:32

This sort of thing pisses me off.

No, you can't do this. If you don't qualify for PIP, it's hard to see how you can be so severely affected that not only can you not work but your partner needs to work part time in order to look after you.

He ought to work full time, as he clearly can, and you can then make a family decision for you to be a SAHM. Then it's nobody else's business, as you and your partner can choose to do whatever you like with your family income.

FWIW, I'd also get married if you are unable to work, as your partner could just choose to leave you and take his income with him.

I thought I did qualify but two applications and I’ve not been awarded. I might see if CAB can help me as I do think I am eligible . I’m going to see about LCWRA too.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 10/11/2023 17:36

Pipistrellus · 10/11/2023 17:23

If he's on at least double minimum wage then if he works full time then would you be entitled to UC at all? If he earnt enough to take you off UC then you wouldn't have any work requirements.

And maybe you could afford to pay a Trento help out with kids part of the time at weekend.

Greycottage · 10/11/2023 17:38

I do understand how hard it is, OP, as I have a chronic pain condition. I work from home (mostly on my sofa).

PIP is an absolute shambles under this government. People in enormous medical need are still refused it. I think you’d be better to consider alternatives where possible. Could your partner pick up a part-time WFH job to supplement income so he is around to support you?

Stayingathome · 10/11/2023 17:41

Greycottage · 10/11/2023 17:38

I do understand how hard it is, OP, as I have a chronic pain condition. I work from home (mostly on my sofa).

PIP is an absolute shambles under this government. People in enormous medical need are still refused it. I think you’d be better to consider alternatives where possible. Could your partner pick up a part-time WFH job to supplement income so he is around to support you?

I used to work part time before having dd (nearly 3) and I had conditions then that were causing me a lot of issues (EDS, severe endometriosis and autism) but it was manageable. After I had dd I had a massive infection and was really ill then 2 weeks later had an abscess due to mastitis and got sepsis and it was horrific, it triggered off (we think) ME and PoTS and I’ve been an absolute mess ever since but both PIP applications were declined and I need to try again I know but I’m exhausted

OP posts: