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Original poster

Harassed by universal credit!

273 replies

Ad210318 · 15/07/2023 19:35

Hi
I was just wondering if anyone else felt harassed by universal credit and how to deal with the situation.
so I have worked full time since 16 now 34. In 2020 my partner left and I had a baby (now 3) I have worked part time 8-10 hours a week since he was 9 months old.
recently he turned 3 and I have been non stop harassed by the job centre about getting 16 hours of work. I currently work 12 hours on a self employed basis but for a company. I have very limited child care only 1 day a week, going to 2 mornings and 1 full day in September when little one starts nursery. I don’t drive so need to stay local and also have no family to support with childcare. My sons dad is not involved in his life so I am literally on my own!
my question is how do you get the job centre off your back, they call me in 2-3 times a week and have done since my son was 9 months old. I feel like I’m doing everything I can right now to work but it’s never good enough and they are constantly on at me. Has anyone dealt with this before?
its making me so anxious! I literally don’t know how I can work more than I do without leaving my child home alone! (Obviously this isn’t an option)
Thanks in advance

OP posts:
OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 15/07/2023 19:36

Would you not get 80% of your childcare paid for by UC? That will help you to work more hours.

They won't get off your back, they will keep on and on and maybe even sanction you if you don't look for more hours.

Doggymummar · 15/07/2023 19:39

Once you have 16 hours they will leave you alone, or just sign off which is what I did to get them off my back and then took my time to fing a job I wanted rather than one they pushed me into.

Badbudgeter · 15/07/2023 19:39

Childcare and work a bit more. If it helps once you meet the required hours they don’t contact you atall. I’ve not spoken to anyone since I started claiming a year and a half ago.

supersonicginandtonic · 15/07/2023 19:58

You get up to 80% of your childcare paid for on universal credit. Working 16 hours would probably take a lot of stress from your life.

ForeverFriendsAndPierrot · 15/07/2023 20:16

If you want to be 'paid' then you have to jump through the hoops!

Quveas · 16/07/2023 07:30

I'm sorry, but there are conditions attached to claiming benefits. If you don't like the conditions, you can stop claiming. I appreciate that your difficulties may not be of your own making, but they are equally not the making of taxpayers who work many hours and find those benefits. So you are going to have to suck up the fact that if you have recourse to public funds then there are expectations placed upon your receipt of benefits.

Overthebow · 16/07/2023 07:33

They’re not going to stop contacting you until you work more hours. 8-10 hours a week is not enough.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 16/07/2023 07:38

Well said, @Quveas

NeverDropYourMooncup · 16/07/2023 07:56

If you do 8/10/12 hours (your answer varies) in one day, it'll be sorted come September when you send him to Nursery.

The only way to get them to leave you alone is to do what they want.

Motheranddaughter · 16/07/2023 07:59

Either meet the conditions or stop claiming

Original poster
Ad210318 · 16/07/2023 08:22

I have been a taxpayer since the age of 16 thank you very much. Now I need the system I’ve paid into it doesn’t seem to want to help me!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ad210318 · 16/07/2023 08:24

Motheranddaughter · 16/07/2023 07:59

Either meet the conditions or stop claiming

How exactly am I meant to meet their conditions when o have no childcare in my area? Leave my 3 year old in the house alone? Or put him a back pack? I’ve paid into the system all my life so it’s my right to claim when I need to thank you very much.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 16/07/2023 08:26

Ad210318 · 16/07/2023 08:22

I have been a taxpayer since the age of 16 thank you very much. Now I need the system I’ve paid into it doesn’t seem to want to help me!

they're only asking you to work 16 hours, or isn’t exactly a lot.

CornishTiger · 16/07/2023 08:28

2-3 times a week is excessive.

They expect you to work or earn the equivalent of 16hrs a week. If you are self employed are they applying the minimum income floor.

beefwithmyteeth · 16/07/2023 08:28

Ad210318 · 16/07/2023 08:24

How exactly am I meant to meet their conditions when o have no childcare in my area? Leave my 3 year old in the house alone? Or put him a back pack? I’ve paid into the system all my life so it’s my right to claim when I need to thank you very much.

Show quote history

Are there no childcare providers in your area? Are you on all of their waiting lists? Can you not ask for advice on childcare in the 2-3 times a week you speak to jobcentre?

Piccolow · 16/07/2023 08:29

Ad210318 · 16/07/2023 08:22

I have been a taxpayer since the age of 16 thank you very much. Now I need the system I’ve paid into it doesn’t seem to want to help me!

It is helping you though, I mean you're not paying your own way on 12 hours of work a week are you? If you want them to stop contacting you the answer is to work more hours and you will recieve support paying for childcare- fairly simple to understand really!

Original poster
Ad210318 · 16/07/2023 08:29

Overthebow · 16/07/2023 08:26

they're only asking you to work 16 hours, or isn’t exactly a lot.

Show quote history

No it’s not but the fact is my child will only be doing 3 hours a morning at nursery 2 days a week so I what am I meant to do with him? Leave him at home alone? I don’t drive and there are no childminders available in my area until 2024. My hands are tied. My boss is already letting me work from home as it is, but jobcentre are expecting me to go in 2-3 times a week! It’s just not doable

OP posts:
Lizzt2007 · 16/07/2023 08:31

If you're on uc then you've been entitled to 15 hours funded childcare for a year, and are now entitled to 30 hours. On top of that uc will pay 85% of any compulsory top up fees. The system is willing to help you but there are conditions attached to that help. Being asked to work 16 hours when childcare is supported for nearly double that is not unreasonable.

Piccolow · 16/07/2023 08:31

it’s my right to claim when I need to thank you very much

Unless you were previously a very high earner then the tax you have paid isn't anywhere near what you're taking out. Which is fine, the system is there to support people who need it, but this view that you have a right to claim is pretty grim. Your right is to claim within their parameters, you need to work another 4 hours a week for them to get off your back.

Newusernameaug · 16/07/2023 08:32

I’d perhaps go to citizens advice for some advice but that level do phone calls sounds verging on harassment.

You could even discuss in your next appointment that you want to discuss with them your well being and how everytime they call it’s triggering a reaction and that they’re damaging your mental health…… they ARE calling excessively and there’s simply no need for it so stand your ground and get the to back off.

Itwasathing · 16/07/2023 08:33

They shouldn’t have been harassing you when he was 9 months old?? That’s awful . It’s meant to be from age 3 that they want you to work more?

Im sorry that you are being put under so much pressure. Can you explain to them that once he’s in nursery you can do some more if it isn’t enough for them I’m not sure what you can do it sounds very stressful I hope you can sort something out

Overthebow · 16/07/2023 08:33

Ad210318 · 16/07/2023 08:29

No it’s not but the fact is my child will only be doing 3 hours a morning at nursery 2 days a week so I what am I meant to do with him? Leave him at home alone? I don’t drive and there are no childminders available in my area until 2024. My hands are tied. My boss is already letting me work from home as it is, but jobcentre are expecting me to go in 2-3 times a week! It’s just not doable

Show quote history

Can they go to nursery for more hours? Is there any other childcare that you could ride a bike to?

Itwasathing · 16/07/2023 08:37

Also - how much is the sanction if you don’t do as they ask- it may be worth finding out as if there’s less stress from a small
sanction than struggling to find childcare to work an extra 4 hours it could be better for your mental health to do that (if you will still be able to live /have a food bank you can access nearby) . Your son needs you well and not stressed out and exhausted I really hate how the system punishes single parents like this when they have no support and this one size fits all model isn’t taking into account individual circumstances

Itwasathing · 16/07/2023 08:39

Working 8-10 hours a week from when he was 9 months old and now 12 hours a week is actually an achievement and I think everyone is telling you ‘do more’ or ‘earn your benefits’ and not seeing how you’ve worked since he was less than a year old when you didn’t have to work at all if on UC - I think you’re doing really well and getting a hard time on here which isn’t fair

gogomoto · 16/07/2023 08:41

Because if you claim benefits you are expected to work a minimum number of hours (16) from age 3, it then increases as your child gets older. There's childcare subsidies available if you are low income to help you.