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Original poster

Is it worth working on universal credit?

120 replies

boymama82 · 23/02/2023 14:24

We receive UC as my partners wage is classed as low. We own our own home outright and receive approximately £400 a month from them. I'm looking to get back into work on Saturdays Sundays and Mondays when my fiancé is off work as we have an 18 month old and a 2 and a half year old. We don't need the money but I want to get back into work, will my UC be reduced siginificantly?

OP posts:
TimeToFlyNow · 24/02/2023 07:28

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 24/02/2023 07:23

We don't have housing costs we bought outright so are in a good position

Then you shouldn't be claiming UC.

Don't be ridiculous

berksandbeyond · 24/02/2023 07:30

You own your house outright and don’t need the money because you’re propped up by the rest of us, nice work.

Money can’t buy class, or pride, unfortunately

wildseas · 24/02/2023 07:38

In your position I would definitely work.

You don’t want to be on universal credit forever and working now will make it much easier to get a good job once little one gets their hours at preschool.

Thinking about the universal credit the other way round is much easier. By working you’ll have all of your wage plus a top up from universal credit. The top up will be less than currently, but you’ll be a lot better off because of your salary.

123rainbow · 24/02/2023 08:11

Op doesn't make the rules. Her family are on a low income and she is therefore entitled to claim uc. People sound jealous and spiteful.

berksandbeyond · 24/02/2023 08:22

123rainbow · 24/02/2023 08:11

Op doesn't make the rules. Her family are on a low income and she is therefore entitled to claim uc. People sound jealous and spiteful.

Why would we be jealous of claiming benefits?

Very happy to both work to support our family, I don’t have to work full time which is nice. Think it’s a bit of a pisstake that people can claim UC when they inherited a free house but that’s on OPs conscious not mine. I have a work ethic and paid £85 a day for childcare when I went back to work, maybe I’m the mug 😂

KickHimInTheCrotch · 24/02/2023 08:24

123rainbow · 24/02/2023 06:42

Ignore the hateful comments. You're saving universal credit as if you didn't own your home they would be helping towards rent and council tax.

Agree with this. Its great that you own your own home, it's security for the family and if you didn't the state would be paying for your rental costs or you'd be taking up a place on a council waiting list.

monkeysmum21 · 24/02/2023 08:26

AnotherSpare · 23/02/2023 22:25

Your attitude is everything that is wrong with people in this country.

You own your home outright. You don't work because you don't need the money. Yet you are bleeding money that you don't need from the state.

This

123rainbow · 24/02/2023 08:37

berksandbeyond · 24/02/2023 08:22

Why would we be jealous of claiming benefits?

Very happy to both work to support our family, I don’t have to work full time which is nice. Think it’s a bit of a pisstake that people can claim UC when they inherited a free house but that’s on OPs conscious not mine. I have a work ethic and paid £85 a day for childcare when I went back to work, maybe I’m the mug 😂

Show quote history

Good for you. I also worked full time and was a higher tax payer. I was single parent that received no maintenance from my child's father. I don't judge or begrudge other people claiming when they're on a low income. If she didn't have the house she would be taking up a council property. You're lucky you don't need to claim benefits.

whowhatwerewhy · 24/02/2023 08:44

Hi op , I totally agree with you , if your entitled to claim then claim .
I think you have highlighted the pitfalls of UC , although working with always pay when you take into account the amount of UC you will lose working seems less appealing. I know a few people who refuse overtime or extra contacted hours because it's " not worth it " .
One person won't do extra because she would lose her cost of living payments that I believe are £900 .
Your not the only one who has to weigh up if working actually pays enough .

berksandbeyond · 24/02/2023 09:48

123rainbow · 24/02/2023 08:37

Good for you. I also worked full time and was a higher tax payer. I was single parent that received no maintenance from my child's father. I don't judge or begrudge other people claiming when they're on a low income. If she didn't have the house she would be taking up a council property. You're lucky you don't need to claim benefits.

Show quote history

It’s not ‘luck’ that means I don’t have to claim benefits, it’s hard work.

GoodChat · 24/02/2023 09:51

It's a broken system though, isn't it. One that means OP is better off not working. This is the whole issue as to why the government need to overhaul the childcare system.

We shouldn't be better off not working.

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 24/02/2023 10:25

Wow OP... greedy much.

GoodChat · 24/02/2023 10:29

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 24/02/2023 10:25

Wow OP... greedy much.

Why is it greedy to ask if she's better off working or not?

Original poster
boymama82 · 24/02/2023 10:35

Thankyou for those offering support! I've worked all my life, I only stopped after my 3rd miscarriage as it was having a huge impact on my mental health. I left to try and have a baby, didn't claim anything just lived off partners wage. We were lucky enough to end up with 2 babies and are fully entitled to claim!! People being hateful it does come across as jealousy! I had postnatal psychosis and was incredibly ill

OP posts:
123rainbow · 24/02/2023 11:01

berksandbeyond · 24/02/2023 09:48

It’s not ‘luck’ that means I don’t have to claim benefits, it’s hard work.

Show quote history

You said you only work part time, that is what OP is enquiring about. You either have a well paying job or a husband that supports you. This doesn't make you a martyr or better than anyone else.

123rainbow · 24/02/2023 11:08

boymama82 · 24/02/2023 10:35

Thankyou for those offering support! I've worked all my life, I only stopped after my 3rd miscarriage as it was having a huge impact on my mental health. I left to try and have a baby, didn't claim anything just lived off partners wage. We were lucky enough to end up with 2 babies and are fully entitled to claim!! People being hateful it does come across as jealousy! I had postnatal psychosis and was incredibly ill

I'm sorry to hear that OP. Look after yourself, you don't need to explain yourself. You already have a lot on your plate with two young kids to take care of. Do what's best for your family x

Whiskyinajar · 24/02/2023 11:18

FFS the OP is claiming because she needs to at the moment.

For those saying the house is an asset ...do have a think about the fact two children need a roof over their head.

So she sells and downsizes to free up cash. What happens when that's gone. Do the same again until they have nothing?

Do be sensible.

Runningonjammiedodgers · 24/02/2023 11:28

Everyone could look at it the other way, OP and her DP were sensible with their inheritance and bought a house. They could have spunked it up the wall, ended up on UC and had the tax payer cover their rent.

There is a lot of hate on this thread. If you are entitled to help from the DWP claim that help from the DWP. People on low incomes with no housing costs are not the problem here. Far more is lost to tax fraud than benefit fraud, MP's have second, third and fourth jobs that pay them a fucking fortune to do nothing more than vote on bills in that companies favour. And what about the very wealthy boomers in there very big houses, with their very good final salary pension schemes that still get a free bus pass and winter fuel allowance?

OP to your point, you will be better off working, though as others have said for every £1 you bring home your UC will reduce by 55p. Worth it if you don't have childcare costs and big travel costs. Pay the max you can into your pension as that will reduce your take home pay whilst benefiting you in the future. It will also be better for you when the DC's are older if you have been in work as you won't have to start all over again at the bottom of the pay scale and you will have more pension contributions.

Coffeellama · 24/02/2023 11:32

boymama82 · 24/02/2023 10:35

Thankyou for those offering support! I've worked all my life, I only stopped after my 3rd miscarriage as it was having a huge impact on my mental health. I left to try and have a baby, didn't claim anything just lived off partners wage. We were lucky enough to end up with 2 babies and are fully entitled to claim!! People being hateful it does come across as jealousy! I had postnatal psychosis and was incredibly ill

There’s a private Facebook group that you can post anonymously on called universal credit survival that’s really helpful for calculating universal credit and offering (less judgy) advice if you get stuck OP.

Coffeellama · 24/02/2023 11:34

GoodChat · 24/02/2023 09:51

It's a broken system though, isn't it. One that means OP is better off not working. This is the whole issue as to why the government need to overhaul the childcare system.

We shouldn't be better off not working.

She isn’t better off not working, on universal credit you are always better off working.

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 24/02/2023 11:42

boymama82 · 24/02/2023 07:27

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy why shouldn't we claim if we can? My partners father died! U can't spend a house!

What does your partner earn and what is he doing to increase his income?

vivainsomnia · 24/02/2023 11:50

You have three options:
Stay as you are. Best quality if life, ok financially, but potentially leaving you very vulnerable if you were to break up at anytime. The later the worse.

Work alongside your OH. A bit more money, pressure on family life, a little better security.

Work FT. Slightly better off now, much better off as time go by, pressure on the family, highest security if you were to separate.

It comes down to what you prioritise.

GoAgainstNicki · 24/02/2023 12:17

berksandbeyond · 24/02/2023 08:22

Why would we be jealous of claiming benefits?

Very happy to both work to support our family, I don’t have to work full time which is nice. Think it’s a bit of a pisstake that people can claim UC when they inherited a free house but that’s on OPs conscious not mine. I have a work ethic and paid £85 a day for childcare when I went back to work, maybe I’m the mug 😂

Show quote history

Why does it need to be on OP’s conscience? She’s not doing anything wrong and if your circumstances were the exact same as hers, you’d be able to do the same thing

America12 · 24/02/2023 12:25

boymama82 · 24/02/2023 06:19

Who takes care of our 18 month old? There isn't a job out there that would cover childcare costs. My partner owned a house which he sold, he bought it with inheritance from his father passing away. Loving all the angry comments, we claim uc because partners wage is classed as low, it doesn't matter that we own the house as you can't spend a house! I've worked from being 16 and I'm now 40

The father ? On his days off.

Meandfour · 24/02/2023 12:28

Of course you’ll be better working. How will 4 of you live on a low wage + £400 a month?