Universal Credit when one partner works and the other doesn’t.

Aqua_Maria

Hi There,

I am hoping someone can help me. Me and my partner are looking to move in together, I am currently on Universal Credit, single claim with two children both under 5. My partner earns 1,700 per month. I do work however due to surgery I have been off and my partner doesn’t want me to go back due to how work have treated me during my time off sick.

I would like to know if we moved over to a joint claim and I stopped working what group would I get put in and would I have to actively seek work attending interviews etc.

I am however hoping to attend a part time evening course to learn how to do nails and I really need to be home not only to still recover but to look after my children taking one to Nursery and the other to School.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I have trawled the internet looking for answers and still I have none.

McKneff

Once you are well would there be anything stopping you healthwise to work somewhere else.
You would certainly be expected to be looking if you are claiming any benefits.

NedS

Once your youngest child turns 3 years old then you will be expected to attend regular appointments (weekly) and look for work for 16h/week assuming you are the main carer for the children. This could be reduced based on your health condition.

TELLIT01

I assume the OP has been migrated to UC and is claiming the equivalent of the Lone Parent IS. That being the case, there will be no entitlement to that once she moves in with the partner as she will no longer be classed as a lone parent.
Whether the OP returns to work or not, they will not be able to claim any sickness benefit from the operation once the doctors determine she is fit for work. Not wanting to return is not a valid reason to claim.

tomtom256

If you meet the CET for the household you may not be epxected to do anything and would fall into light touch.

NedS

tomtom256 wrote: »

If you meet the CET for the household you may not be epxected to do anything and would fall into light touch.

Good point, I forgot about that. If OP moves in with her partner, then his income (£1700/month) would move the OP into light touch group and she would not be required to attend appointments or look for work

calcotti

McKneff wrote: »

You would certainly be expected to be looking if you are claiming any benefits.

Not necessarily. It depends on circumstances. If one partner earns enough the other does not have to look for work. Tom Tom has highlighted that UC has income thresholds which determine how claimants are treated. Haven’t got time to remind myself of the details now - will look tomorrow if no one else has clarified by then.

sammyjammy

Aqua_Maria wrote: »

Hi There,
My partner earns 1,700 per month. I do work however due to surgery I have been off and my partner doesn’t want me to go back due to how work have treated me during my time off sick.

A little off topic but your original OP jumped out at me. Do YOU want to go back to work? At the end of the day its your decision.

Aqua_Maria

Of course I want to work however my current workplace hasn’t been supportive of my time off after my surgery and I feel highly anxious about going back thats why I would like to do a nail course and eventually work for myself doing acrylic/gel nails.

Aqua_Maria

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Not wanting to return is not a valid reason to claim.

Its not that I don’t want to work its how I have been treated during my time off after my operation. I would like to do a nail course as explained in my original post.

calcotti

This page includes some information on earnings thresholds https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Claimant-Commitment-Conditionality
See also https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/298186/response/730120/attach/4/Attachment%202%20Universal%20Credit%20Conditionality%20Earnings%20Threshold%20polic....pdf