higgs1818 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:12 am
For example, my income (with 1 british child in infant school) is:
child maintenance: £500
work (16hrs): £650
total: £1150
Those that are granted Universal Credit and are a single parent, would be expected to work at least 25 hours a week (earn £1029.16 gross per month at minimum wage) with a child of that age. In April, this will rise to at least £1128.64 a month gross as the hourly minimum wage will rise.
Why are you only working 16 hours a week? Is there a medical reason why you can only work 16 hours a week?
With UK welfare benefits , both parents are expected to keep their child and even a joint Universal Credit claim requires both parents to work, with one parent working at least 35 hours a week.
When the child reaches age 1, the non-working parent/single parent, would have to attend the job centre to discuss their plans for starting work.
When the child reaches age 3, the carer parent/single parent, would work 16 hours.
When the child reaches age 5, it is 25 hours for the carer parent/single parent.
When the child is 13 or older, the carer parent/single parent, now also has to work at least 35 hours a week.
During that time, it is likely they will no longer qualify for Universal as they can now pay for their old child.
higgs1818 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:12 am
And my ex currently pays my shortfall (on top of CMS) as I have NRPF, but he says he shouldn't have to, and that I should consider applying for NRPF change instead of him substituting what UC would normally pay.
Perhaps point out that as he wanted to sponsor you to come to the UK, then he had to show that he could afford to keep you.
higgs1818 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:12 am
I used the entitledto.co.uk calculator, I can see that I would have otherwise been entitled to around £670 Universal Credit. (no housing element).
But on UC you would have to attend the job centre and explain why you were not earning at least £1,029 gross per month and you would have to look for another job or better paid job. They could also send you on courses or sanction the money for 3 months (and up to 3 years) if you didn't work more hours/attend their courses/apply for jobs they told you to apply for/go on their work experience etc.
Thats correct that the housing elelemnt of UC will not pay a mortgage. The UK ended the welfare benefit that paid the interest payments on mortgages. If you moved to rented,they might pay some of the rent via the Universal Credit Housing Element, but you would have to pay the rest of the rent from your wages, benefit money etc.
higgs1818 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:12 am
Two further points (apologies if these should be separate threads):
-When people come to apply for ILR (that enables benefits), with all the home office delays, this could mean waiting a very long time before getting the UC, which surely would be unfair?
Your spouse has to support your child and you can work more hours/get a better paid job. Have you spoken to a solicitor for a guide about how much of his assets (the equity in property, his savings, his pension) becomes yours on a divorce?
higgs1818 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:12 am
-What happens if ILR is rejected, and you're put on another temporary leave that has NRPF? You're denied that safety net, which can't be right.
What visa are you on now?
