UC, working hours, looking after children

Can1can2can3

I would be grateful for any advice on the following. 

I have been on UC and working part-time since splitting from my children's father over 5 years ago. I work 2 long days in the week when they can be at his house before and after school and 1 other day between school hours.

My understanding of UC is that when youngest child is 13 that you should be working full-time. My youngest has just turned 12 so I am beginning to worry about the following. My other child is 15, she goes to special school: she is in a taxi to and from school and a carer must be there for the pickup and drop off. There are no after school or holiday clubs for this situation.

I already juggle days about for school holidays, inset days, etc as I receive the minimum holiday allowance from work. I really cannot see how I can work full-time unless a very convenient working from home job materialises.  Does anybody know what happens in this situation? Thank you.

huckster

Ask the Job Centre Work Coach if they can tailor ( reduce) the hours on the claimant commitments to take into consideration your family circumstances.  Have you applied for DLA for the 15 year old, if she has care requirements ?  If there is a DLA claim, what components were awarded.

Can1can2can3

huckster said:

Ask the Job Centre Work Coach if they can tailor ( reduce) the hours on the claimant commitments to take into consideration your family circumstances.  Have you applied for DLA for the 15 year old, if she has care requirements ?  If there is a DLA claim, what components were awarded.

Thank you for your reply.

No, I have not applied for DLA to date but I may look into it in respect to this situation.

Spoonie_Turtle

If she is awarded middle or higher rate care DLA then you can be her carer for UC purposes if you give 35+hrs of care a week (which is a wide-ranging definition, basically anything you have to do that you wouldn't if she weren't disabled). 

If applicable then you would be exempt from work requirements and can continue working as suits your circumstances without any hassle to increase earnings.  It would also increase your UC with a disabled child element (assuming you claim for her on UC already) and the carer element.