Universal credit or any benefits?

lknights1987

My partner came to the UK from Romania 10 years ago. We have been together for 7 years. Since being in the UK she has worked just under 9 years paying taxes every year that she's been in employment. 

She is currently on maternity pay which finishes towards the end of the year. 

Over the past few days my contract at work has been changed which means it's going to be hard for her to return to work due to child care ( we have a 6-year-old and a 5-day-old son) 

She works as a carer at a local care home!

If her work doesn't let her change her shift pattern when it comes to her going back to work would she be entitled to universal credit? 

Not sure if it makes any difference but I am on just under £39k a year salary. 

poppy12345

As you live together as a couple then you would both need to claim UC as a couple. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on your joint circumstances. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. 

You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement when the time comes. If you use it now you won't have true figures due to the benefits increasing from April 2024. 

Flugelhorn

yes definitely a joint application based on household income and savings 

lknights1987

poppy12345 said:

As you live together as a couple then you would both need to claim UC as a couple. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on your joint circumstances. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. 

You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement when the time comes. If you use it now you won't have true figures due to the benefits increasing from April 2024. 

can you link me to a calculator, please? Also if it was a joint application would I need to inform my employer? 

Flugelhorn

There are some listed on here @lknights1987https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

poppy12345

lknights1987 said:

poppy12345 said:

As you live together as a couple then you would both need to claim UC as a couple. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on your joint circumstances. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. 

You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement when the time comes. If you use it now you won't have true figures due to the benefits increasing from April 2024. 

can you link me to a calculator, please? Also if it was a joint application would I need to inform my employer? 

I didn't put a link because as advised, it won't be a true reflection of what you maybe entitled to late in the year because benefit increase from April this year. A benefits calculator used now will give you the current rates. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator although thinking about it further using one now will tell you if there's any entitlement now. 

marcia_

lknights1987 said:

poppy12345 said:

As you live together as a couple then you would both need to claim UC as a couple. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on your joint circumstances. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. 

You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement when the time comes. If you use it now you won't have true figures due to the benefits increasing from April 2024. 

can you link me to a calculator, please? Also if it was a joint application would I need to inform my employer? 

 No it's none of their business what you claim 

peteuk

lknights1987 said:

can you link me to a calculator, please? Also if it was a joint application would I need to inform my employer? 

Your employer already feeds  info into HMRC/DWP which is how they know the amount of income you earn each month.  DWP have no reason to contact your employer in an every day capcitcy. So therefore why would you need to inform your employer.