Universal Credit & Childcare Nightmare. Help!

MakingLifeMine

I really hope I could get some insight from someone who has been here. I do have an appointment with the Job Centre on Wednesday but I didn't think asking here could hurt.

I separated from my husband. We have 3 children together. We were both self employed but as his business has been running longer, he would pay most of the bills and childcare so that we could both work.

Before having baby number 3, I was working full time in my business and our salaries we very similar but we agreed that he would take on most of the financial responsibility as I would have a baby to look after and reduced income.

Now that he has gone, my financial circumstances have changed and I had to go on Universal Credit. The thing about Universal Credit is the childcare caps doesn't cover much of a London nursery fee.

He is refusing to help with any costs for our children. My 4 yr old finished nursery at the end of June and starts school in September. He is currently at home with me but he is not so much of an issue. My 1 yr old is the one that needs a lot of attention from me. My eldest is already in school.

I had asked for my husband to help with the first months nursery fee for my 1 year old so that I could go back to work full time OR focus on my business full time. I would much prefer to work on the business full time as the income would be triple what I would earn from working a 9-5.

The problem with securing them at the moment is I can't do consultation visits with my baby which is what my business requires me to do. I attempted to do some calls virtually but many of my clients didn't appreciate the 'noisy' baby and refused to move forward with working with me as they felt the baby would distract me from my responsibilities.

I have 2 clients who do not mind but the income is not enough, hence me going on universal credit.

Universal credit can not give me an advance as I took an advance when I was without an income whilst waiting for the first 5 weeks assessment period. I am not entitled to a Budgeting Advance as I was above the payment threshold by about £10!

My family will not help, his family will not help, 'friends' have chosen not to help and to be honest, I don't blame them, these children are my responsibility, not theirs.

But my problem is, I am in a position to work (whether employed or self employed) but I do not have the funds to raise the first months nursery fees and no one to help me raise them.

A loan/credit card is not an option due to me contracting TB Meningitis a while ago and missing payments due to 12 months off work, so my credit is ruined.

I will go via CSA for my husband but I am not in a rush to do so because he will just hide all the money in his Ltd Company and to be honest, once I get back to work, I wont need him or benefits.

Has anyone overcome a situation like this? Anything I should consider? Am I being difficult?

pmlindyloo

I am assuming that you only need help with the first month's nursery fees?

So.………. some ideas.

Have you asked your bank for a temporary overdraft?

Ask at the Job Centre about the Flexible Support Fund.

Immediately make a claim to the CSA - every little bit helps - I am presuming he is drawing down a salary?

Have a good clear out and sell anything that you haven't used for the last 6 months.

Having a one year old means that you won't be badgered to work immediately and can rely on your UC. Stress to the Job Centre that you wish to work and this childcare fees problem is holding you back. They will definitely expect you to be seeking child support from the father of your children. Is he providing anything at all? Paying the mortgage, for example?

Run out of ideas now!

MakingLifeMine

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I am assuming that you only need help with the first month's nursery fees?

So.………. some ideas.

Have you asked your bank for a temporary overdraft?

Ask at the Job Centre about the Flexible Support Fund.

Immediately make a claim to the CSA - every little bit helps - I am presuming he is drawing down a salary?

Have a good clear out and sell anything that you haven't used for the last 6 months.

Having a one year old means that you won't be badgered to work immediately and can rely on your UC. Stress to the Job Centre that you wish to work and this childcare fees problem is holding you back. They will definitely expect you to be seeking child support from the father of your children. Is he providing anything at all? Paying the mortgage, for example?

Run out of ideas now!

Thank you for responding.

So...the first thing I did when he moved out was do a clear out so that I could cover the first 2 months when he left.

As my credit is bad, I was rejected for a loan/credit card/overdraft. They did one application and as it was rejected, they didn't want to try for the other two.

He provided for the first 2 months and then stopped. He said it's because he was not in a contract so I can't really argue. He usually draws £1100 a month from his business and I guess the rest he draws as dividends. I am not very hopefully as I remember him ensuring his first wife got nothing for her and his two previous children from that marriage. So due to this, I am not holding my breath and to be honest, I am scared of his response if I do put an application into CSA.

I had never heard of the Flexible Support Fund. I just did a quick google and surprised UC and Job Center never told me as I approached both of them for help. I will raise this during my meeting next Wednesday.

I have actually been looking for some cleaning jobs where I could possibly take the little one with me, but not sure if the hours and price would leave me in a better position that I am currently in but I am willing to do absolutely anything.

I have also asked my sister if she's willing to temporarily move in with me so i can work nights whilst she stays with the little ones.

I am willing to do anything.

I know I won't be forced to work as my little one is 1, but I prefer to work to give them a better life, does that make sense?

huckster

If you have not seen this Government website, have a read.

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Job Centres may not advertise Flexible Support Fund, as it is a limited fund, which is there to help as many people as possible to find work or start work.

WhenIam64

He is refusing to help with any costs for our children.

I will go via CSA for my husband but I am not in a rush to do so because he will just hide all the money in his Ltd Company and to be honest, once I get back to work, I wont need him or benefits.

Have a read of this

https://www.singleparents.org.uk/information/child-maintenance/cms-2012-child-maintenance-scheme

Though you might not want to use such formal arrangements, it is better to have it in your back pocket as your circumstances will change. He has financial responsibility until the children are 16 and these should not be shouldered by you or others.

silvercar

He is refusing to help with any costs for our children.

I am not very hopefully as I remember him ensuring his first wife got nothing for her and his two previous children from that marriage.

So he has 5 children and doesn't provide for any of them!

You need to go through CSA and make sure you get payment.

lisyloo

Could you take in ironing. This is a job that is flexible and you can work from home.

Is there any sheltered/old people’s accomodation near you.
When my MIL and FIL couldn’t do their own jobs they paid for help with laundry, bed making, shopping, cleaning because they couldn’t physically do it themselves.
Laundry and ironing and jobs would fit well around childcare and you could pick your hours.
If you find a old people’s block of flats there might be economies of scale e.g. picking up 2 or 3 clients laundry in one trip.

MakingLifeMine

Thank you! I will have a read of this tonight and see what information I can use from here.

MakingLifeMine

WhenIam64 wrote: »

Have a read of this

Though you might not want to use such formal arrangements, it is better to have it in your back pocket as your circumstances will change. He has financial responsibility until the children are 16 and these should not be shouldered by you or others.

Thank you. I guess I am used to him making me feel alone so it's got to a point where I just feel like I have to do this myself but you are right. Thank you.

MakingLifeMine

lisyloo wrote: »

Could you take in ironing. This is a job that is flexible and you can work from home.

Is there any sheltered/old people’s accomodation near you.
When my MIL and FIL couldn’t do their own jobs they paid for help with laundry, bed making, shopping, cleaning because they couldn’t physically do it themselves.
Laundry and ironing and jobs would fit well around childcare and you could pick your hours.
If you find a old people’s block of flats there might be economies of scale e.g. picking up 2 or 3 clients laundry in one trip.

This is a great idea! I could do this easily. Thank you.