Universal credit????

princessdon

benefitbaby wrote: »

I don't disagree with you, I just get annoyed that so many people were encouraged by DWP to become self-employed to reduce the unemployment number only to find the earnings are not sufficient to sustain a household (especially in a recession) and then need to rely on WTC.

I saw in the news this week that unemployment figures are at 3 million with only 900,000 available jobs. Even if someone is lucky enough to get a job these are often only part-time and frequently pay NMW rather than a living wage which the government agrees is needed to avoid reliance on benefits or tax credits to top-up earnings.

I don't have the answers but neither do the policy makers and they are the ones being paid the 'big bucks' and have no real insight into what it means to be working class.

There is no quick fix and with housing costs as high as they are many will always rely on benefits.

A SE person has 12 mos minimum to make it work, and whilst I see that merit of SE an able bodies partner shouldn't have job seeking exemption and rely on benefits. Parents, carers disabled of course, but able to work?

Own_My_Own

Hope this isn't classed as high jacking a thread, but thought someone may be able to clear something up for me.

A couple I know do not work because the husband claims ESA. Is it right that because the husband claims this, his able bodied wife doesn't have to look for work. Can he really claim this as a couple ?

princessdon

Own_My_Own wrote: »

Hope this isn't classed as high jacking a thread, but thought someone may be able to clear something up for me.

A couple I know do not work because the husband claims ESA. Is it right that because the husband claims this, his able bodied wife doesn't have to look for work. Can he really claim this as a couple ?

Depends on their caring entitlement if honest.

paddedjohn

feelthelove wrote: »

your not a very nice person from your comments, i was warned about joining here, you don't know me and yet your judging me .

Ahh diddums, did someone tell you some facts that you dont agree with?

Own_My_Own

princessdon wrote: »

Depends on their caring entitlement if honest.

He is in the work group. I know this because she went made when she found out he would have to go to meetings etc. She wanted to know what she was meant to do while he had the car.

I assume he also gets DLA. But I have no idea at what rate.

BBBNH

Another hijack, really sorry!

Can i ask how these different groups would be affected under UC, as i'll be in one of these 2 groups when it starts:

1. Full time university student, child aged 5 in school, as well as being a student i'd be working 16 hours per week @ minimum wage. I'm guessing because my child was school age i wouldn't receive the UC equivalent of WTC because i'd only be working 16 hours.

2. Working self employed @ minimum wage during school hours (child will have started school so 30 hours) i'm a lone parent if that makes any difference. I'm guessing i'd need to work 37 hours to qualify for the UC equivalent of WTC?

Also, maybe i could ask for my cousin, as i know she's worried too -

She is a full time student at uni, has 1 child at school, just found out she's expecting another child. She works all day Sat & Sun (16 hrs?) as a hairdresser and earns a bit more than minimum wage as i know she pays tax, or did before uni (self employed, is a mobile hairdresser) she is going to either take a year out of uni or go part time for a year. Will she still receive the UC equivalent of WTC after her maternity allowance stops & she goes back to uni?

benefitbaby

benefitbaby wrote: »

Claimants will, depending on their circumstances, be assigned to one of four requirements groups.

1. - those who have ‘no work-related requirements’ at all (to include those who satisfy an earnings threshold, those with limited capability for work-related activity, certain carers, certain pregnancy cases and claimants in certain types of education).
2. - those who have only to attend ‘work-focused interviews’ (to include carers of a child aged one to four inclusive, other carers for children including foster carers and certain foster parents).
3. - those who have to attend interviews and engage in ’work preparation’ (eg, attend the Work Programme: likely to apply to claimants with limited capability for work); or
4. - those who must engage in ‘all work-related requirements’, including looking for and being available for work (the default category where none of the others apply).

Sanctions for non-compliance will be set at three different levels, according to the requirement group

The above is the relevant position/s and I believe you would meet group one - no requirement as you will be working 16 hours per week as a lone parent.

benefitbaby

Unfortunately I can't answer the question regarding your cousin as not enough info about UC yet known, sorry.

BBBNH

Benefitbaby thanks very much for your reply.

MissMoneypenny

princessdon wrote: »

It is

As a couple with no children you'd need to bring in 2 x NMW of 35 hours £420 pw to be exempt from conditionality. If placed in conditionality each person needs to contribute to either hours or income.

There is leeway for new businesses - you are outside of that if already operating.

It would need to be £433.30.

NMW at the moment is £6.19.
£6.19 x 70 hours = £433.30 per week. £22,531.60 per year.

Or one person could earn £433.30 per week which will then excuse their partner from UC conditions of signing on and looking for work. Although that couple would end up paying more income tax; as they would lose out on one tax allowance if just one person worked.

Is £22,531.60pa for a couple without children, too much to claim Universal Credit or any benefits pre UC?