Is this correct about claiming Universal Credit?

[Iwantthesunsobad]

My partner of 20+ years and i about the separate and i’ll be staying in the house with our 4 children ages ranger from 6-16
I only work 12 hours a week in a school and just been told by Citizens Advice that DWP will be calling me as soon as i apply to tell me i can only claim if i can work at least 35 hours a week?? Is this correct? I don’t know how i’m going to do that as you can’t just decide you wanted more hours.
Im panicking now as i don’t know if can survive paying the mortgage on my own if i can’t claim UC.

I'm pretty sure that is expected that you'll look for a role working 35 hours a week but you can still claim on the 12 hours a week that you are currently working

I think it will be this as well.

Most people who only work 12 hours a week wouldn't get a mortgage. I'm surprised that you're surprised that you'll be expected to work more hours??

I’d be very happy to work more hours but it’s not as easy as that finding a job in school that allows you to work full time and you still able to pick up/ take children to school.
I have got a role at 32 hours but i had to decline it as simply couldn’t find childcare for my 6 year old

Pretty sure that is the expectation now but try one of the universal credit advice sites on facebook

You will need to look for more work if you're earning less than £892 per month. If you increase your earnings above £892 you won't be asked to look for more work. But while your earnings are below £892, you would be expected to take a full time job if one was offered and will be expected to apply for full time hours.

my partner is a high earner that’s how we got our mortgage but thanks for the productive comment @FrannyScraps

You’ll be expected to find childcare or use afterschool club

Youngest is at full time school so yes you will be encouraged/have to-work more then 12hrs

You will have a minimum floor amount to earn each month. Usually 25/35 hrs at nmw

Even if you don't earn this they will treat is if you have

You will need to increase hours or look for a diff job

Unless you care for somebody in receipt of a qualifying benefit or have a health condition that affects your ability to work you will have regular meetings with a work coach until you are earning above the current threshold which is £892 pet month.

You will be expected to work but only to the extent that that it fits in with school etc hours until child is 13. As your youngest is 6 you should not have an issue. .

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/claimant-commitment-what-group/

thanks @Nonametonight that’s very helpful. I could potentially approach my boss and ask if i could increase my hours to achieve that no way they could accommodate 35 hours especially that lunchtime hours at school, isn’t counted.

Look into all childcare options after school clubs childminders etc

Its not minimum hours its that you need to make a minimum amount or else you need to be actively looking for more work and attending the job centre to price you are applying and attending interviews. They can sanction you for not doing enough.

They will expect you to use childcare. The UC FB pages are full of single mums struggling with this. :(

Because UC cover 85% of childcare costs you would be expected to use wraparound care.

thank you @cestlavielife i have at the time i was offered a different job in september and wraparound at school is full and could not a childminder.

Thanks so much @Bromptotoo that super helpful. I will have a good look.

They have an AET (administrative earnings threshold) of £892 for a single person, after tax and NI

If you earn over that they won't hassle you.

You'll be expected to take on another job or to change careers and to use childcare. UC won't support you to work just 12 hours, they'll pay you but expect you to be looking for more work and to attend Work coach interviews that may well be when you are at work.

Yeah this.

You need to work more hours if you want to claim. They will give some grace but if you aren’t actively looking/applying, you’ll be sanctioned and ultimately payments stopped.

Your high earning ex-partner is going to need to pay proportionate child maintenance. When will they be seeing the children?

How are you going to buy him out?

You can claim universal credit to pay your mortgage??

She won't get a specific mortgage payment like you get rent payments if entitled but you can use the general single person rate and any other elements to pay it.

I only work 22.5 hours I don’t and have not been asked to work more, so if you earn more I think it’s fine. See what they say op, ask for more where you are and can you do anything that is working from home? Or days your children with their dad? It’s tough esp with 4. I have 4 but 2 youngest are now teens and older 2 adults.

I understand that. But you've chosen to separate? So now you need to support yourself, no?