universal credit - responsible carer for young child

sofsofsof

hi, looking for clarification on this subject please:


if a couple have a 1 year old baby, and the mother is name Responsible Carer for that child..
am i correct to assume that the father still has to do the work commitments (looking for full time work for 35hrs a week, attending work focused training etc) and the mother who for arguements sake is named the Responsible Carer does not?

Heres where i get a touch confused, when child 3-4 years the named carer/mother now along with father has to look for work but for 16hrs a week minimum rising to 25hrs a week when 5-12?
and she also has to attend work focused interviews, training like father? if neither are working still?

sofsofsof

and it mentions how if you are the Responsible Carer for that child your expectations in regards to looking for work will be different?


im just very confused how this works in a couple situation / set up? when does mother also have to start looking for work? when child is 3? later? will it always just depend on the father who is NOT named Responsible Carer?
I presume tho that the mother in this situation would likely not have to attend these meetings/training things as they are the primary carer?
any clarification on this please?

calcotti

sofsofsof wrote: »

hi, looking for clarification on this subject please:

if a couple have a 1 year old baby, and the mother is name Responsible Carer for that child..
am i correct to assume that the father still has to do the work commitments (looking for full time work for 35hrs a week, attending work focused training etc) and the mother who for arguements sake is named the Responsible Carer does not?

Father has full work search conditionality and, once child is one year old, mother may be required to attend work focused interviews. From age of 2 mother expected to do work preparation.

Heres where i get a touch confused, when child 3-4 years the named carer/mother now along with father has to look for work but for 16hrs a week minimum rising to 25hrs a week when 5-12?
and she also has to attend work focused interviews, training like father? if neither are working still?

That seems broadly correct but I think hours are by agreement with work coach and have to fit around your particular school situation so that there is time to take child to and from school. Mother will have to do this even if father is working.

If one of you works and earns enough to get to the earnings threshold then the other will not have any requirements.

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

sofsofsof

So if neither work then at 3 the mother / responsible carer must now also look for work?

calcotti

sofsofsof wrote: »

So if neither work then at 3 the mother / responsible carer must now also look for work?

Yes. Even if father is working mother will still be required to look for work (unless father is earning enough to meet the earnings threshold for the couple).

There is more information here which also sets out the 16 hours and 25 hours you referred to previously https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-family-quick-guide/universal-credit-further-information-for-families#claimant-commitment. See section 7.