need advice re universal credit

Sixer

zagfles wrote: »

I think you missed the bit about where conditionality ends, which is basically the same as now - ie when out of work benefits entitlement (IS, JSA, ESA) ends. So in the OP's case with a husband who earns way more than they'd get in JSA/IS, there will be no conditionality. Although they do say they can raise or lower the threshold in the future.

From 3.21 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/universal-credit-full-document.pdf

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Brilliant! Thanks!

christiansmummy

i hate to sound thick but could you simplify that for me

mrsspendalot

christiansmummy wrote: »

i hate to sound thick but could you simplify that for me

Was just reading it and thinking the same thing :rotfl:

I think it is trying to say that in couples on really low incomes where only one person works, the other partner would be on conditions as though they were single, and basically have to look for work when their youngest turned 5.

Whereas if the couple has one earner who is on a decent wage and their income alone amounts to more than the couple would receive on benefits, then the non-working partner can effectively stay at home and not be placed on conditions.

Have I got that right, anyone more in the know?

christiansmummy

mrsspendalot wrote: »

Was just reading it and thinking the same thing :rotfl:

I think it is trying to say that in couples on really low incomes where only one person works, the other partner would be on conditions as though they were single, and basically have to look for work when their youngest turned 5.

Whereas if the couple has one earner who is on a decent wage and their income alone amounts to more than the couple would receive on benefits, then the non-working partner can effectively stay at home and not be placed on conditions.

Have I got that right, anyone more in the know?

thankyou, i do hope thats the case as my husband works nights 12 hours each night and i have no family to help, would give me extra time to find a job that fits in x

zagfles

mrsspendalot wrote: »

Was just reading it and thinking the same thing :rotfl:

I think it is trying to say that in couples on really low incomes where only one person works, the other partner would be on conditions as though they were single, and basically have to look for work when their youngest turned 5.

Whereas if the couple has one earner who is on a decent wage and their income alone amounts to more than the couple would receive on benefits, then the non-working partner can effectively stay at home and not be placed on conditions.

Have I got that right, anyone more in the know?

That's right - but specifically "out of work" benefits ie JSA/IS/ESA, not other benefits like housing benefit etc, or tax credits.

So in the OPs case they'd get about £5000 a year in JSA if they were both out of work, so as long as the OP's partner earns at least £5000 she won't have to look for work. Might be a bit more because of the disregards.

They say they might increase the threshold, but even if they doubled it to 10k, assuming the OP's partner is earning at least minimum wage they'll be OK.

zagfles

christiansmummy wrote: »

i hate to sound thick but could you simplify that for me

You won't need to look for work in your situation.

Mum-2-Be

zagfles wrote: »

You won't need to look for work in your situation.

I'm still a bit confused guys sorry!

So if a single parent gets to the stage of their child turning 5 they go from IS to JSA/ESA and need to look for work in order to continue with their HB and tax credit claims etc

But a couple where for example the dad earns over £20,000 the mum can stay at home and still receive her tax credits and apply for HB help but will not be allowed to claim IS and not be placeed under any conditions to look for work?

Hope that all makes sense!

christiansmummy

thankyou he earns more than minimum wage, why cant the goverment say this? ive had 2 panic attacks over this

mrsspendalot

zagfles wrote: »

That's right - but specifically "out of work" benefits ie JSA/IS/ESA, not other benefits like housing benefit etc, or tax credits.

So in the OPs case they'd get about £5000 a year in JSA if they were both out of work, so as long as the OP's partner earns at least £5000 she won't have to look for work. Might be a bit more because of the disregards.

They say they might increase the threshold, but even if they doubled it to 10k, assuming the OP's partner is earning at least minimum wage they'll be OK.

Ok, I think I get it then, thanks!

mrsspendalot

christiansmummy wrote: »

thankyou he earns more than minimum wage, why cant the goverment say this? ive had 2 panic attacks over this

If you're anything like me, you will have read the 'scaremongering' stories in the paper and thought 'what??!!!!' ... they never do make the ins and outs clear.