3yo about to start nursery, how quickly will UC try and force me to work over 16hr p/w?

Sycamore123

We've got a hell of a lot of challenges in our lives at the moment, bungalow badly needs fixing, terminal cancer diagnosis of someone very, very close to us and other major issues not of my making. Single parent not thru death but something similar (don't want to list too many identifying details). I worked full time my whole adult life until the boys were born (11yo and 3yo) at which point I went down to 16hrs, but just for a while I NEED to not be working full time and I need child-free time, just until I get on top of things. Youngest starts full time at school nursery after Easter school holidays end. From what I understand, UC will try and force me to work 30hrs at this point (I'm more or less paid minimum wage), or 20hrs if I can deal with being in the "light touch" group where I'll still be under scrutiny from them. My question is, are they likely to start doing this straight away? Even if I only had a few weeks of having child-free time twice a week, that would make a difference. What are people's experiences?? and is it worth me pleading my case if they start trying to force me into more work before the end of April??

huckster

They don't force anything in regard to hours in this situation. Legislation just says to get into light touch where you don't need to attend work related Job Centre appointments, you need to earn at least 18 hours national living wage per week equivalent.

So try to work 18+ hours per week.

TheShape

They could require you to apply for a job of up to 30 hours per week 'if' there is a job that can be undertaken during regular school/nursery hours.

If you were to earn the equivalent of 18+ hrs per week at living/minimum wage and move into Light Touch, they should not impose any requirements on you as things stand.

Your Commitments should already give you a decent amount of time (up to one month) to start any new employment if they were to expect it from you anyway.

Diaz09

Given your exceptional circumstances with terminal illness and being a single parent, make sure you mention the caring responsibilities at your next UC appointment - this could qualify you for carer's allowance or at least reduce work search requirements. The Work Coach has discretion to ease conditions temporarily, so be upfront about needing time to deal with family crises rather than trying to avoid the conversation entirely.

Sycamore123

Thanks for the comments so far, I definitely plan to go into the job centre and talk to work coach in detail when they start to harass me. I would love to hear others experiences of when UC started the pressure and whether they were able to get them to back off and for how long

TELLIT01

Terms like 'force', 'pressure' and 'harass' aren't helpful. Anybody contacting you from DWP will be doing so because your child is now 3 years old. Until they have all the facts about your individual circumstances you will be in the same situation as anybody else with a 3 year old - you will be expected to work a minimum of 16 hours. Going in with a clearly confrontational attitude will not be helpful.

sammyjammy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957424#Comment_81957424

I agree, its almost like the OP is looking for a fight.

huckster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957567#Comment_81957567

Yes I agree.

When you claim a means tested benefit such as UC, where the rules are set by Parliament, don't be surprised if you have to talk to someone about meeting the rules.

This is why you have to accept a claimant agreement to accept actions you need to take to continue receiving the benefit. If you don't accept, the claim is closed.