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

You might find more support if you move into “the patch” where your partner is based - is there a reason why you haven’t done that?

Okay I think you won't be eligible then. We earned less than that with one child and a mortgage and we were not entitled. Sorry about that.

He needs to give you more money I think!

I’ve suggested that to him but he doesn’t want to live in military housing. We have bought this house recently (nov 24). Should’ve given things a lot more thought. Obviously wouldn’t change my baby being here for the world now

Most people have got partners who come home in the evening and that’s where I’d love to have a little evening job for financial reasons and mental health reasons. But I’ve got no one to look after her unless I pay for a child minder

No you won’t as he still technically lives there regress how often he is there. You can claim even though your with him though, would just depend on his earnings how much you would get and because you have a mortgage and don’t rent, you wouldn’t be entitled to any housing element

You’re unlikely to get UC with your partners income and having a mortgage rather then renting. Your options are be a SAHM and he funds everything, or you get a job and baby goes to childcare. There is funding from 9 months for childcare, 30 funded hours and tax free childcare so that is probably your best option.

I don’t think you’d be eligible based on his income and having a mortgage, but you can check on entitledto. It’s not relevant at all how often he’s home, he’s still his home so you aren’t classified as a solo parent for anything. Paying for childcare when going back to work is the norm and you can get help with some funded hours from 9 months old, I’d recommend it just to have a job for some sanity and financial security.

I am an actual solo parent making less than that and I am pretty sure I'm not entitled to anything beyond child benefit.

It shouldn't be 50:50 if you aren't working, especially if that is because you are raising his child. Being a sahm is a full time job and so he should be paying you to do that for him
. or you could do what happens in a lot of households, all the income from both adults goes into a pot once a baby arrives and is a shared resource, with a little bit taken out for each adult to spend on whatever they like.

hi OP, sorry if I sounded harsh upthread. I can understand if you're struggling - it's hard to leave your baby when they're so young, and hard to be solo parenting (whatever the circumstances) - have you seen there is an army board on here https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/forces-sweethearts why don't you post there - you'll find people in the same situation as you there maybe.

Find a nice childminder and a part time job. You will feel better for getting out again. My DC was premature and we were told by the NICU consultant to put them in nursery as soon as they had caught up. We did part time at first and they loved it. All grown now. Did brilliantly at school. Studying their chosen profession at Uni. Look for places once your DC is over 12 months. Research. Find a good fit. Start looking at what jobs are available. You’ll have an outlet and a goal to focus on.

She's possibly on 3.5 a month including her wages and wants nc beyond belief.

You are in a couple and your partner pays the mortgage and household bills, so no you are not a lone/single parent and if you claim it would have to be as a couple. If you claim as a single person that would be benefit fraud

I understand wanting to stay home with your baby but unless you can completely manage on one income you can't. Yes it sucks but here we are

You 100% will be

I haven’t claimed to be a single parent. I just thought I was a solo parent because I’m the only parent at home but I was mistaken on that

Thank you this makes me feel better

3.5 a month? I wish! :D I will be on £26 a week once maternity allowance stops

Being the primary carer only has financial implications if you're the sole parent ie child's father isn't there and contributes nothing financially. If you're partner is contributing and that's his residence, albeit he works away most of the time, then it's not like you're a single parent subsisting on one person's salary. Single parents with no family help who work and pay for childcare most likely will get some support.

If you were a lone parent you’d be paying everything AND looking after the child. I’ve had to do this since both of my children were babies and had only 6 months of maternity leave with each. With respect, it’s insulting to lone parents for you to describe yourself this way when you have the emotional and financial support of a partner, just because their job involves travel. It is not remotely similar. Of course you shouldn’t be claiming benefits just because you’d rather be at home if you’re perfectly capable of working and providing for your own family.

So you'll have to go back to work then.

I still have a hard time doing it all physically. If you’d read the thread I’ve already apologised for thinking I was a solo parent. don’t make me feel bad for a harmless question

Hardly anybody likes going back to work when their baby is small. But expecting other people who have done so to get even less time with their children because they have to pay more tax to fund you doing so when you don’t need to wouldn’t be reasonable, would it?

Surely you planned and thought through how work and finances would work before having a child?

You haven’t got a 50/50 arrangement right now. You’re on ML so have barely any income so can’t pay the same as if you’re working.

I don’t think that you’re lazy but you’re definitely not solo parenting if your mortgage and bills are paid for. Lone parents have to worry about bills as well as looking after the kids.