Universal credit advice

[simplelife100]

Hi
I'm a single mum to a LB who in a few months will be turning 2, I was recently told when he reaches 2 I would be expected to start looking for work, I wanted to know from other parents who been on universal credit once your child is 2 how much pressure does UC put on you to find work ? I have no problem going back to work but was just hoping it would be once he in school nursery.
Does UC offer to help you get qualifications so you can get a better job more to shut your child and home life.
I'm not here looking for hate and people judging me, I didn't choose to be a single parent and I lost my job while on maternity leave in the pandemic

*Suit

If your child is under 3 you will go into what they call the work preparation group. Doing CV's and looking at what you can do to get back to work.
Once your child is 3 then you will go into the all work related activity group and will be expected to actively look for work, however as you are responsible for a child under 13 your work coach has to ensure your work activity fits around school or nursery hours and this includes travelling to and from work.

You may get free nursery hours from 2 years, I would enquire about that 1st. Citizens advice are really good at helping with such things.
I've never had UC so not much help, I was on job seekers when pregnant with our 2nd as I was made redundant back then. They didn't put too much pressure on to find work but that may have been different if I didn't have a big bump.

@Unicornspirit thank you is this something you've experienced recently? I've been so worried but had no one to ask most of my friends are married and not on UC,

[quote simplelife100]@Unicornspirit thank you is this something you've experienced recently? I've been so worried but had no one to ask most of my friends are married and not on UC, [/quote]
You could say I've experienced it, I work for citizens advice under their universal credit service. I wouldn't be worried, the stage you will be is just preparing to go back to work. You mentioned training etc so it might be a time to ask your work coach if there are any courses etc that you could do.
I know it can be daunting but you won't be expected to suddenly start work for 35 hours a week.
If you do have internet access the citizens advice website does have information on UC. Might be worth a look if you can.

It is to prepare you for work, yes including qualifications. Low income children can access nursery from 2 do you will have 15 hours a week to be able to work on work preparedness

Thank you for your help that has put my mind as ease for now,

@unicornspirit

Does anyone know how this works with the free nursery hours?

For example if I have a May born child who turns three this May I can’t access my free 15 hours until September.

Would UC expect me to be looking for 15 hours work with no childcare?

[quote Rainsunrainsun]@unicornspirit

Does anyone know how this works with the free nursery hours?

For example if I have a May born child who turns three this May I can’t access my free 15 hours until September.

Would UC expect me to be looking for 15 hours work with no childcare?[/quote]
Although you'd be expected to look for work as such, they would also have to take into account the childcare issue. Although you can claim help with childcare costs on UC it's not always possible for people to pay upfront as they just can't afford to do this so they would have to acknowledge that.
It's not a helpful system to be honest. The work coach should take all of this into account for you.