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Original poster

Pregnant with 3rd and going to the job centre

34 replies

suilaruin · 05/05/2017 09:19

Just a question as I am a bit confused. My husband works full time but we get some help with universal credit. I have my 2nd interview to discuss work options. They know I am 32 weeks pregnant and that it is not possible at the moment as i have a 2 year old also but I still have to go along. I have been told I will need to go back for another interview when the baby is 6 months to 'look for work' I still wont be in a position to look for work as I want to be at home with my baby and besides my husband works very long hours, no family close by (2 hours away) and I dont drive! not making excuses I really do want to go back to work when little one is at nursery but for now I feel anxious about it like im doing a bad thing wanting to be at home with my baby. has anybody been in a similar situation and is there some law that I need to be looking for work when I am not intending on it at this moment?

thanks :)

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 07/05/2017 09:46

Universal credit is replacing 6means yested benefits. It is not just a benefit for those seeking work as long term disabled will be on it to.
Some groups will not have any expectations to look for work until their children are older.
People should stop scaremongering.

Babyroobs · 07/05/2017 09:49

Mydiet. Op will get no extra money (child element of Universal credit) for this child as it is her third. Therefore she will have to make the money stretch between two. I guess it's just a case of making it stretch or looking for work if needbe.

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 07/05/2017 12:53

But OP says she won't be in a position to look for work when her baby is 6 months.

Babyroobs · 07/05/2017 13:26

jennifer - She will be not be expected to look for work until the youngest child is five. However she will be expected to attend work focussed interviews in preparation for going back to work from when her child is around 3 I think. I was just saying she will get no extra money for the third child so if they really can't manage she may have to look for work sooner or her husband will have to find a better paid job.
The conditions of UC means that households will no longer be able to have one parent staying home for years on end but they do allow it until the youngest is five.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 07/05/2017 13:29

Ah, I think I misread the post and OP is not planning to return to work after 6 months.
OP: Don't worry this is still fine. Primary carers of children between 1 and 3 are required to "keep in touch with the Labour market" and attend work focused interviews but Don't have to look for work
As I said before: best advice is to show up for appointments and talk in general terms about your plans to return to work in the future. This is all that's required.
If anyone is interested in the work focused requirements of Universal Credit for different claimant groups there is more info here: www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Claimant-Commitment-Conditionality#guide-content

Babyroobs · 07/05/2017 13:31

And once op's kids are all at school, she will only be reasonable expected to work school hours.

Babyroobs · 07/05/2017 13:36

Sorry I meant to say school hours until the youngest is 13. I actually think these changes that UC will bring are sensible and realistic.

FaeTheGreenWitch · 10/03/2025 10:22

It shockes me how some other countries work honestly and in other countries people don't take care of each other as a community.

Before you start spitting fire, I'm stay at home mum but we don't claim benefit.

BUT I originally come from Czech Republic, where mum's are EXPECTED to stay on maternity leave from 3 years to 4 years (4th year is optional). This is paid maternity leave by government. You get monthly reasonable wage that you can comfortably live whilst your husband also works. This money for the maternity pay comes from people taxes but noone minds this because everyone understands that mothers should stay at home with their children especially at those early years. They should be putting them into nursery ant 3 or 6 months...

I have heard from older people that many moons ago, England use to have such a lovely community encouraging mums to stay home and it didn't matter if they had to claim benefit to do so.
All gone now.

Parker231 · 10/03/2025 13:03

FaeTheGreenWitch · 10/03/2025 10:22

It shockes me how some other countries work honestly and in other countries people don't take care of each other as a community.

Before you start spitting fire, I'm stay at home mum but we don't claim benefit.

BUT I originally come from Czech Republic, where mum's are EXPECTED to stay on maternity leave from 3 years to 4 years (4th year is optional). This is paid maternity leave by government. You get monthly reasonable wage that you can comfortably live whilst your husband also works. This money for the maternity pay comes from people taxes but noone minds this because everyone understands that mothers should stay at home with their children especially at those early years. They should be putting them into nursery ant 3 or 6 months...

I have heard from older people that many moons ago, England use to have such a lovely community encouraging mums to stay home and it didn't matter if they had to claim benefit to do so.
All gone now.

Staying home for 3-4 years would have destroyed my career. I’d have hated being at home so long.

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