universal credit confusion.

princessdon

lorny80 wrote: »

children are 5,8 and 13.

Then hypothetically (as you wages are high so you are exempt), if you were ever subject to conditionality, they'd only expect you to look for child friendly hours.

They'd also pay childcare (70%) even if only 10 hours a week - it's currently 16 hours for the 2nd earner to get help.

It is a positive approach in my opinion.

You currently have couples with children aged 15 - 19 who work 24 hours between them, at times the children work and earn. You can see why it's been introduced.

lorny80

so with my rough figures, do we no longer qualify for any type of benefit?
you are right tho, i can see why it has been introduced, on a number of levels.

princessdon

lorny80 wrote: »

so with my rough figures, do we no longer qualify for any type of benefit?
you are right tho, i can see why it has been introduced, on a number of levels.

No you still get benefits - In fact you should be slightly better off (though true calculators are not yet available).

You are just outside "conditionality"

Conditionality is the governments way of looking at what is "reasonable to get that benefit". Your family is doing all that is expected - they are not expected to do any more.

Others (where someone wants a stay at home parent with older children) will have conditionality. They will get the benfits, just have conditions attached for it's payment. They look at what is reasonable. Hence ages of children being considered.

Disabilities, carers etc all have their own conditionality based on what is "reasonable".

It's not "reasonable" to expect a new mum to work, it is for those with a 17 year old and currently stays at home.

I think its quite well thought out and fair (in practice), but needs to go live to see how it really works.

few bugs obviously. Say you are £10 short and both working, how would they deal with that, if you can't attend appts as on shifts etc. Some things I am not sure of, but on the whole the concept for me is positive.

so you are not outside of benefits (they will stay and maybe increase), but you are doing all people expect of you in return.

SandraScarlett

Princessdon, between you and BigAunty, you cover every aspect of benefit info. What a fantastic poster you are, always willing to help others understand their route through the labyrinth of rules and regulations.

Even though none of this applies to me, I do like to know what is happening. I must confess, every so often I quote one of your pearls of wisdom, and my family think I'm so clued up!

Princess Angel! :A

xx

Own_My_Own

Have you tried this calculator ?

Not sure if it is 100% correct but it would give you some idea.

http://policyinpractice.co.uk/universal-credit/universal-credit-calculator/

lorny80

thank you so much for all the information. i had run myself in rings trying to get my head around it, mainly due to knowing how badly things can go when the wftc gets messed up.

i am currently looking to up my hours anyway, but finding school hours is not easy!

anyway, thanks again for the help, i really appreciate it.

princessdon

I also want to point out (from what I have seen at work and on training) it is only WFTC and JSA etc affected.

if someone doesn't accept conditionality CTC and HB still remain intact.

Just like now if someone is sanctioned for "none compliance" their rent and CTC are unaffected.

So it's not a big a deal as people make out, and if they want their wife to stay at home and not work, it's not a huge amount of money to accept the "higher wage"

But it's not live and I don't know all the ins and outs.

princessdon

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Princessdon, between you and BigAunty, you cover every aspect of benefit info. What a fantastic poster you are, always willing to help others understand their route through the labyrinth of rules and regulations.

Even though none of this applies to me, I do like to know what is happening. I must confess, every so often I quote one of your pearls of wisdom, and my family think I'm so clued up!

Princess Angel! :A

xx

Thank you

Though I never reply to disability etc as I don't have info, I work with parents so parent related benefits is all I really have knowledge of ..

seven-day-weekend

I too agree that princessdon is a mine of information, thanks!:beer:

flutterby_lil

This is a very useful thread.

My partner earns about 10k a year self employed, approx 40 hours. I return to work in 2 weeks after mat leave and will earn £10,500 per year.

We have a 10mobth old and 4 year old. Childcare is £200 per week for both.

How will this fair for UC. We currently get WTC and CTC, no HB etc.

Also, as I am now on unpaid maternity leave, WTC said I was classed as not working, even though it is within the 12 months mat leave period. Does anyone know if this is correct?