Career break and entitlements

happy_to_be_here

Hello,


Basically it looks like my relationship is coming to an end and I'm trying to figure out my next steps. My partner works full time, I work part time and we have 2 children together plus I have one from a previous relationship. We bought our first home last year but there's not going to be much in the way of equity so it's looking like the kids and me will be private renting.


My question is, my work allows for me to take a career break for up to 2 years and then return to the same job in exactly the same wage bracket etc as I was in before. This would be perfect as it would allow me to care for the 2 under 5's until they're off to school as there's no way I can afford rent and childcare whilst going to work. Obviously I wouldn't get paid by my work during this time so I was wondering if I would be entitled to make a claim under universal credit?


If not, it looks like I'll have to leave the job regardless and look once they're bigger but it's not something I'd like to do because I'm in my 30's and only have 4 years worth of pension so it's a worry for the future. Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks.

huckster

Age of youngest child determines work conditionality. Below 12 months, there would be no work related requirements.

If they are aged 3 years old, if you are currently working and give up voluntarily, that could be referred to a Decision Maker to decide on a sanction, so no personal allowance paid, just Children element, Housing.

Could you still work some hours, say 16 hours per week and use childcare. You can include childcare under UC and they pay up to 85% of these costs in any award.

Are you currently claiming any benefits ? Tax credits ?

calcotti

huckster wrote: »

If they are aged 1 years old, if you are currently working and give up voluntarily, that could be referred to a Decision Maker to decide on a sanction, so no personal allowance paid, just Children element, Housing.

I thought a sanction for giving up work could only be applied to someone in the all work related activity group and therefore cannot be applied to someone responsible for a child under the age of 3.

huckster

calcotti wrote: »

I thought a sanction for giving up work could only be applied to someone in the all work related activity group and therefore cannot be applied to someone responsible for a child under the age of 3.

Think you are correct. Will amend post.

MissMollyJ

Have a look and play around on the turn 2 us benefit calculator. I have a spreadsheet of all my in and outgoings and in the past when I’ve changed hours/jobs I have run everything through the turn 2 us calculator to find out my hypothetical benefit entitlement on various hours/pay etc.

poppy12345

StroggCore wrote: »

. Credit is a bad idea. Why need to pay off more than you take?

I think you misunderstood the question....

poppy12345

happy_to_be_here wrote: »

it's looking like the kids and me will be private renting.

It may not be that easy to privately rent if you're claiming benefits. Landlords that do accept those claiming DSS are few and far between. Those that do may ask for a guarantor.

happy_to_be_here

Thanks all for your replies. Youngest is 2 in March so I don’t know what difference that makes.

I’ve been playing about with the benefits calculators but struggling to figure out what option is best. My work is nights and evenings so finding registered childcare is nigh on impossible and there’s not scope to switch to the daytime just now but there will be in about 18 months. That’s why I wondered if I’d be entitled to help if I took a career break as per my work’s policy.

I submitted my child tax credits application for this year but was told we were above the threshold so I didn’t qualify. I assume that means my application with them is no longer valid? Happy to be wrong though lol.

calcotti

happy_to_be_here wrote: »

Thanks all for your replies. Youngest is 2 in March so I don’t know what difference that makes..

As previously advised it means that you cannot be sanctioned for giving up work.

Once your child is 2 you will be in the Work Preparation Group

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/claimant-commitment-what-group/

calcotti

happy_to_be_here wrote: »

I submitted my child tax credits application for this year but was told we were above the threshold so I didn’t qualify. I assume that means my application with them is no longer valid? Happy to be wrong though lol.

Unlike UC a Tax Credits claim is not closed because of a nil entitlement. However your existing Tax Credits claim is a joint claim and you cannot convert a joint claim to a single claim and you are not allowed to make a new single claim. When you separate you will therefore have to claim UC. UC will include your basic allowance plus appropriate child elements and housing element to help with rent. You will be able to get help with childcare costs if you are working.

You and your partner must tell Tax Credits when you separate. That will end your Tax Credit claim.