UC help please, are things about to go wrong?

[CocoPlum]

Migrated to UC a while back. Single parent working 29 hours (0.8 FTE) a week, UC is generous.
Just read something about when your youngest child is 13 (soon!!), needing to work more?
I'm in a salaried job at a big company (love my job and the place), but it's not as simple as saying I'm available for more hours, please schedule me in.
Am I going to be fucked over once my youngest hits that age?

Are you sure they are not just saying you should look for more work?

As long as you earn over 892 a month you won't have to look for more work 😊

UC hasn't said anything yet. I'm confused by what I'm reading online. I have a job with a good pension and leave etc, but as I'm working under 30 hours what I've read suggests I should work 35 once he's 13.

Is this the AET thing? I've found that but also it's not very clear! It would be good if that was the case as I do earn over that!

Isn't it the equivalent to 35 hours at minimum wage ie $11.44 So if you earn more than that it's fine

As a PP said, if you earn less than £892 per month then you need to show that you’re actively looking for more, or better-paid work. Above that amount you don't need to.

However, there is also something called the Conditionality Earnings Threshold. In your situation, once your child turns 13, then UC may say that you need to work for the equivalent of at least 35 hours a week at minimum wage.

If you earn more than £892 per month but less than this amount then you will be required to have work-focused interviews and work preparation requirements. Basically this just involves a phone call with someone from the Job Centre to see if they can help with getting a better job or more hours etc. It is not a requirement to spend time looking for more work.

This is what I'm worried about. I like my job and eventually (ie when the kids are older teens and I don't get maintenence) I'll have to work more but honestly I can't do more hours without going insane at the moment. Perimenopausal exhaustion and single parenting as the kids go into GCSEs is kicking my arse! I think working 29 hours at my rate is about £100/month shy of minimum wage full time.

I really don't think that you need to get worried about it. People on other threads have said that they don't even get telephone calls, they just send in an email at regular intervals or send a message via their journal.

As long as you are above £892 per month then you are not required to search for a better job. You will be in what is referred to as the "light touch" group. What this means is that they offer you help with a new CV etc but pretty much leave you to do your own thing. But you will need to keep in touch with them at whatever intervals they say.