UC claimant commitment - commits me to what?

[LuckyMum1989]

I have just had a baby. A friend of mine suggested checking out entitledto and it seems I am entitled to Universal Credit, as I am a SAHM and my DH earns under the threshold.
I checked out the rules and it said that under 1 year, I don't have to look for work when baby is 1 I have to do XYZ (but not necessarily look for work), when baby is 2, I have to do certain things (like updating CV etc) but not look for work.
Then when baby is 3, i have to look for work (or something like that).

If I decided to be a SAHM until DS was at school, and I just cancelled UC when he turned 3, would that be an issue? I'm not sure if the claimant commitment means I am committed to returning to work when DS Is 3 (or having to return the UC).

I don't know when I'll start looking for work, but I don't want to claim benefits that will tie my hands and commit me to something that may not work for our family in 3 years.

I don't want a "Ah that's technically against the rules, but everyone does it" kind of thing. Only if it's actually OK to claim it and then cancel it at 3 years.

No it's not a commitment that projects into the future. You just have to commit to doing certain things in return for receiving that month's payment.

If you don't comply with your commitments, the sanction is a reduction or cessation of payments. So if you close your claim voluntarily 3 months or 3 years from now the commitments vanish with the claim and that's the end of it.

Take the money while you need it. It's what we all pay tax for. We need people to be having children.

Why don’t you just claim for 3 years and then get a part time job?

Hiya
I have recently moved in with my parents, so no longer get housing costs and have updated my claim since so I get £0 rent. I am so lucky and my parents are amazing with helping out with anything my child needs. I do not need to pay them rent or contribute to bills which I am so grateful for.
I would like to cancel my child and single parent element as my wages cover everything she needs as well as putting some away into savings. I don’t want to accept it just because it’s there and I know I’ll feel a lot better in myself without claiming these benefits anymore. Some people say you cannot cancel a claim for this reason but others say you can? So just looking for the correct answer only before I send off a request to cancel the claim!

I may well do 😊

I don't know what will be the right fit for our family in 3 years so just wanted to check that claiming the money now, which will hugely help, doesn't tie my hands in the future. I may return to work before 3 yrs, at 3yrs or further down the line. We will see!

@LiterallyOnFire - that's brilliant, thankyou.

@Lililoox - I am new to the whole UC thing (as you can tell) but sounds similar to myself in that you can cancel when you no longer qualify (or need it) and not need to return the amount already paid.

Anyone can close their claim at any time. Your commitment is 'live' so it changes as your circumstances change and doesn't tie you in to anything.

You start getting prepared for work when they are two not three. Yes if your husband earns under the amount then yes they will nag you to work search at three. If he earned over it they wouldn't.

To be fair you might find that you don't enjoy being at home and want to get a job before they are three. It is quite different being at home with a toddler all the time in comparison to a newborn but you can get help with childcare fees then.