UC - Working Single Parent

[c24680]

I've recently separated from my husband, we have two children together and a mortgage.

I'm just looking to see if I can claim universal credit. I've been on entitled to and it says I can however, I'm confused with the salary threshold on Google.

I earn 28k a year, is this too much for UC? The calculators say no, is anyone in a similar situation?

It would be a stretch without UC, I'm quite good at budgeting and batch cooking etc but the general bills and childcare costs would eat up most of my monthly salary.

Will you be selling the house, or will you stay in it? How much are your child care costs? Are your children born before or after April 2017?

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get

You get elements, added up. Then you'll get a work allowance if the children live with you. £379 if you rent, or £631 if you don't. Then everything else you earn will be deducted at a rate of 55%.

For a single parent you'd usually be entitled to a decent chunk towards childcare and I would certainly expect you to have some entitlement on £28k, yes.

I'm staying in the house, we have a small mortgage so I am remortgaging to buy exH out of his share.

Childcare is £100 a week for both kids, born 2018 and after.

Presuming you're over 25:

Single person over 25: 368.74
Child 1: £269.58
Child 2: £269.58
No housing help.
Total £907.90

Childcare £433 per month (assuming 52 weeks) 85% allowed £368.05

Total £1275.95

Wages approx £1922 per month after deductions?

Work allowance £631, so total taken into account £1291 and deduction 55% = £710.05.

Final award:
£1275.95-£710.05 = £565.90

@Lougle thank you, that's very helpful!

Yes I earn similar and receive UC although one of my children had DLA so difference element added. I have no child care costs.

One last question. Our fixed rate on the mortgage doesn't end for 12 months, exH is happy to pay his half of the bills until it does, can I still claim?

The money will go into a joint account not my own which we use for bills only.

He would be better to pay you a fixed amount as child maintenance (which could include his half of utilities), which isn't counted for UC. Using a joint account could raise questions about how genuine your separation is.