universal credit sanctions.

keaton

So universal credit is now being rolled out to families in the north west I've read in today's news.I've also read how easily they'll sanction peopke for working either under 35 hours or not finding extra work to make up their hours to 35.

My worry is how much do they sanction people? Is it just the part of universal credit that was working tax credits or will the sanction also cut into the housing element and child element?

pmlindyloo

keaton wrote: »

So universal credit is now being rolled out to families in the north west I've read in today's news.I've also read how easily they'll sanction peopke for working either under 35 hours or not finding extra work to make up their hours to 35.

My worry is how much do they sanction people? Is it just the part of universal credit that was working tax credits or will the sanction also cut into the housing element and child element?

Have a thorough read of this:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_welfare_benefits_reform_e/benefits_uc_universal_credit_new.htm

if I have read it correctly you can not be sanctioned if you are in the 'no work requirements' group.

To get in this group you have to be working and meet the earnings threshold. It's all rather complicated so perhaps someone more experienced will be able to explain better.

keaton

But my partner works just under the required amount of hours, and is unable to get more in her current job.

keaton

I don't currently work due to chronic health reasons (though i hope to in the future, I don't claim any sickness benefits and would prefer not to, the whole trying to prove your ill stresses makes me much worse) so I raise our children, she's currently on minimum wage.

BigMac400

keaton wrote: »

I don't currently work due to chronic health reasons (though i hope to in the future, I don't claim any sickness benefits and would prefer not to, the whole trying to prove your ill stresses makes me much worse) so I raise our children, she's currently on minimum wage.

Nothing wrong with that, only one needs to work. Modern way, househusband can look after the kids.

I can not see a problem with working less than 35hrs on min wage? How could she be sanctioned for that?

BigMac400

I dont like this bit ;

" If you're already working, it may set out what you have to do to find better paid work or work more hours. The steps you have to take are known as your work-related requirements."

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_welfare_benefits_reform_e/benefits_uc_universal_credit_new/benefits_uc_claiming_universal_credit/uc95_uc_the_claimant_commitment.htm

What if someone has had a low stress min wage job for years now that they love but are not getting the hours or income that UC require? They will really be put under pressure to work more, sounds cruel.

So they are already working, but have to be like all those people signing on and prove they are looking for more work?

keaton

BigMac400 wrote: »

Nothing wrong with that, only one needs to work. Modern way, househusband can look after the kids.

I can not see a problem with working less than 35hrs on min wage? How could she be sanctioned for that?

Thank you for the kind words.

blondebubbles wrote: »

I think their way of seeing it is that with a couple there is no reason why one can't work full time.

That's my worry, and that their sanctions eat into the housing or child element of universal credit. If that's the case, with the lack of jobs and rising amount if zero hour contracts there's going to be a lot of families and children in real poverty.

BigMac400

keaton wrote: »

That's my worry, and that their sanctions eat into the housing or child element of universal credit. If that's the case, with the lack of jobs and rising amount if zero hour contracts there's going to be a lot of families and children in real poverty.

Food banks will be snowed under by all the families being sanctioned.

It is just not going to work, this has been the largest disaster in living memory.

rollout to everyone by 2017, yeah right. I can see it being postponed again and again. Oh sorry I meant to say I.T issues and technical difficulties.

keaton

I've found this, though its very complicated, to me atleast-
http://refuted.org.uk/2014/02/27/housingelementsanctions/

BigMac400

At the moment there are countless families with one or both parents working near min wage jobs total hours less than 35wk.

So when UC hits their area, they will suddenly be pressured to get more hours or more pay?

I wonder how long can they just carry on the way they were before UC hit them and keep applying for jobs and attending all the job meetings etc?

BigMac400

This one example Jo aged 40 lives alone in a one bedroom flat in Hammersmith, they have a part time job and earn £311.55 per month and get £400 per month Universal Credit including the Housing Costs Element. The DWP discovers that Jo has refused to take the offer of a better paid job and gets a UC credit “higher level sanction” lasting 3 months, losing £311.55 per month, leaving just £22.11 per week to live on and pay the rent.

What if you had a very good reason to refuse that higher paid job? What if the company used products tested on animals for example?

The whole UC thing is a major disaster waiting to happen! Ops it has already happened.