Desperate to come off UC - any ideas?

[NeverGuessWho]

I've been on UC since I left my abusive husband almost five years ago. I'm a single parent with teenage children.

Since leaving, I've increased my hours as much as I possibly can, and currently work 38 hours a week in a role that very much fits in with family life, but pays poorly.

These increased hours have resulted in a shift in my reliance on benefits. At one point, when the children were younger, my benefits far outweighed my wages, but this is no longer the case. Now wages are more than £400 a month more than my UC payments.

Realistically, I'm tied into this role for another 12/18 months, so changing jobs is not the answer for now.

The total of my UC is £1064 pcm. I haven't yet looked at what the tax implications of earning this additional amount would be, but I want to come off benefits altogether if possible, and so am hoping someone might have ideas of a side hustle.

I have no intention of dodging taxes - I will declare what I earn and always have.

Ideally, something I can do at home - I have two days off a week, and would prefer to keep my weekends free.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be really grateful.

Bumping.

Two kids and around £700/month in rent?

I don't understand your question, sorry.

I don’t understand your question OP.

Generally the solution is working more hours or working same hours but for higher hourly rate. It can be hard if you have caring responsibilities for disabled children or elderly dependent relatives.

if your children are teens then I would be looking ahead to when you no longer get child element, child benefit , and maintenance if you get that now. I have known a lot of women (it is always women) getting caugut out by their kids becoming adults.

-what work do you do?
-are any of you disabled or claiming disability benefits?
-do you get CMS and how long is that likely to go on for?
-do you have a mortgage you need to plan for?

I was trying to understand how the numbers worked in your UC Assessment Period so as to better understand how things could change.

This is forward thinking at its best, as your income from UC will drop so much when your kids are 18, and have left school/education.

There are two ways to do this, increase income or decrease outgoings .
Martin Lewis recommends checking insurance, phone deals, broadband band deals and all other annual costs every year and making sure you get the best deals. And the advice there is generally to give every penny a job, and make sure you don't waste money on unnecessary purchases

Earning more means more hours and/or upskilling. Start planning now how to do both

Is there anything you want to train in? Or progression in the line of work you’re in?
It would be helpful to know the kind of job you’re doing and the pay so we could advise.
I was in poorly paid work and on full benefits when I left my abusive marriage too. I went to uni and did a healthcare degree and I love my job, and less reliant on UC top ups each year. I possibly could have thought about something better paid though.
It might be worth looking at what your options are as if you would need to take a pay reduction in the short term to retrain at least while you’re still eligible for UC your money would be topped up.

I don’t know many people making much from “side hustles” when you take into account time. Although I have made £900 on vinted in 12 months from selling all the kids outgrown clothes, toys and baby equipment and everything was very cheap. I still have a massive stash and have had months where I’ve not uploaded anything at all.

Unfortunately the only option is to get a higher income. Either working in a better paid role or finding a suitable side hustle. Unfortunately many of them aren't worth the effort.

You would be best using your extra time to get some training/quals for a better paid career. What do you want to do?

Could you get a second job a couple of evenings a week?