Reducing working hours UC

Paula77c

Hi

Just looking for a bit of advice really.

I currently work 30hrs/wk, above MW.
I’m on UC since April when my marriage broke down.
I have a 3 year old daughter that lives with me.

My employer is moving offices. Increases my commute from 20mins to 50mins. Also means I won’t be getting home till 6.45 (on a good day). Far too late to feed and settle a 3, nearly 4 year old

My main childcare is my Mother in law, and relationships are strained.

I have found a job nearer home, only 20hr/wk. Not as good wage, still above MW. But means I won’t need to worry about childcare, and even more so come September when she starts school, as would need 5 days of wrap around care.

Would I be sanctioned for this??

TIA for any insight!

calcotti

There’s some useful information here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/claimant-commitment-what-group/.

Because of your daughter’s age your work coach should take into account your need to look after her including consideration of your commuting time. I infer that you are a single parent, if not your partner will be expected to be helping.

Work coaches have a lot of discretion so there’s no definite answer to your question - the best thing would be to discuss it with your work coach in advance, if possible. A sanction is possible for voluntarily reducing your income.

If your wage is above 35 hours x NMW it doesn’t matter how many hours you actually work you would be meeting the UC expectation.

Paula77c

Thanks.

No I wouldn’t be meeting 35 x NMW unfortunately
And yes, single parent.

Ok, I’ll maybe contact them and plead my case! I thought it was more cut and dried!

calcotti

Paula77c wrote: »

. . .I thought it was more cut and dried!

If only! In theory the fact that work coaches have high levels of discretion means that UC can be more flexible than previous benefits but it also means that it’s harder to predict outcomes.

Will be interested to hear what others think. You are certainly sensible to think about the possible consequences.

calcotti

Have found this https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/728459/admj2.pdf

Scroll down to paragraphs J2085 to J2086. It appears that as the primary carer of a 3 year old it would be reasonable to only expect you to work for 16 hours/week, rising to 25 hours when she reaches school age.

On this basis you should be fine but I still think it would be prudent to discuss with your work coach if you can.

tomtom256

You should be fine to decrease your hours in a situation like this, your commitments would change so that you would be looking to increase your hours as and when you could. There should be no sanction as you need to reduce working hours owing to childcare or lack thereof.


The only issue is that people are expected to commute up to 90 mins each way for any job as standard, but this can often be relaxed at a work coaches discretion with good cause, but it depends on the work coach you get.

Paula77c

Ok, thank you all for your advice.
I have got to second interview with this job, so will bring it up with workcoach now I think!