Universal credit for solo parent?

[Sam97x]

I currently have a 6 month old baby who I share with my partner. We live in our own home with a mortgage, however my partner only comes home once a month as he works down south in the Navy (we live in the north west). Because of this I am the sole carer of our baby pretty much 24/7. could i be entitled to UC once my maternity allowance stops after October? Does anyone else solo parent because their partner is in the armed forces and is entitled to anything?
Thank you

I do for now. 184 MA and 26 child benefit a week. But maternity allowance stops in October

Hi OP

Sorry you’re feeling attacked, hope you’re ok. Whilst some responses seem quite harsh in their delivery, unfortunately I think the content is right.

Whilst I agree it’s more difficult for you as you don’t have your DH to help, so all care is on you, financially his wage is supporting you as you’re a couple. From the UC pov they would say move closer to where he is, but obviously I totally understand why that’s not practical.

You would be entitled to help with childcare costs though I’m sure? It could depend on how much you DH earns but worth investigating? I wonder if there is any help available from the armed forces?

Good luck

How much does your DP earn? UC would take his salary into account as you live together.

If you’re managing ok on that, then that’s good news because it means you can have quite a part time job to make up for the loss of MA. As others have said, you might be able to get help towards childcare depending on your partner’s salary.

Your not a sole parent, your partner lives with you and pays the bills. Uc will take into account his wages it may possibly wipe out your whole entitlement, apply anyway even if its a couple of quid itll still help but do not make out to be a single parent as its fraud and they always find out x

I also hate the word "entitled".... Nobody is "entitled" to anything!

You think you should get extra free money because your partner works away despite him paying the mortgage and bills is just ridiculous.

Looks like you woke up on the wrong side. Just a question, that you didn’t have to answer if it rattled you so much. And to be honest I was hoping for answers from someone who was in the same position from me. Not someone as judgemental as you

Depending on his salary you may be entitled to something, as you have a mortgage you won't get any help toward that. Check on entitled to with his earnings, If you want to stop working your partner will need to keep you and let you have access to his salary.

Is he a low earner then OP?

I know I chose this life, but it’s still a worrying time not knowing what will happen once maternity allowance stops as I’m the only one here for the baby. I don’t need to be made to feel worse than I do

Does he want you to stay at home with the baby longer? Because if so he needs to financially support you to do that. Have you had this discussion?

You’ll need to get a job, or ask him for more money.

You’re not single, he’s actually entirely funding your household, so unless he is on a low income then UC are not going to pay for you- he will be expected to, or you get a job to pay for yourself.

Remember childcare cost wise though even without UC there is free hours from 9 months & tax free childcare once you are both working which helps to bring the costs down.

You live together as a couple so you will have to make a joint application and your partner’s income will be taken into account.

Can I ask - what is his contribution financially to your family? Is he expecting you to pay for childcare if you go out to work?

How much does he earn?

You cannot claim as a single person because your partner works away. My friends partner works away for weeks at a time she works full time with 3 kids. Depending on you and your partners joint earnings you may be able to claim universal credit which would cover some of your childcare costs when you go back to work

Tell us how much he earns and we can maybe calculate but you can't be a single claim. You will have to put him on otherwise it is fraud.

If they are on a low income then why not?

You maybe eligible but we need to know how much he earns. Some very knowledgeable people on here who work in benefits will be able to calculate this for you. But, they need to know how much he earns.

OP is just asking a question. Let's not be rude.

Best thing you can do is apply, be honest the worst they’ll say is no. But no harm in trying.

You aren't a single parent you've a partner that works away. Why do people think Uc is a default fallback.

I haven’t claimed to be a single parent once. I have mistakenly classed myself as a solo parent because I’m the main carer which I apologised for being wrong for. He earns roughly 2.7k a month

If he makes that much. Whatever you earn on top. Highly doubt you'll get uc.

I had to go back to work when my first was 4 months old. It wasn’t what I wanted but we had no choice financially.

You aren’t technically on your own - presumably you could go & live on base?

I know when they reach school age children of parents in the forces are eligible for pupil premium funding.

What does he earn? That is what is relevant & also can’t you go back to your old job?

Just drop the baby at nursery & go to work. I don’t know how relevant it is your DH working away.