Has anyone heard of the change to UK benefits/tax credits called Universal Credit?

[omfgski]

I j.

 

[Lellow]

Your right-ish;

Read here; https://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/universal-credit/

 

[tina_h75]

I am a bit worried by this, my eldest only started school last month and my two youngest are still at home. I was planning on retraining or studying from next year so by the time they are all at school, I would have a good chance of getting a reasonable job to pay the bills - the last thing I want is to be forced into a job on minimum wage, its enough of a struggle as it is.

 

[omfgski]

.

 

[emsiee]

Well not sure about the childcare thing but Basically universal credit will force people into working for minimum wage or lose their benefits which will be capped to a certain amount.

 

[Tasha]

I got a letter from the DWP and it never mentioned about putting your child in to nursery

 

[Harveysmum369]

Great,its going to be a monthly payment x

 

[Tasha]

Yeah, Martin Lewis has tried to stop that as it is easier to budget for many people when it is a weekly/fortnightly payment.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

It wont ALL be sorted by 2013, I dont think everyone will be on it untill 2017. xxI think the dla reform is currently for over 16's x

 

[omfgski]

[.

 

[Tasha]

No it didnt. I will type it out tomorrow if you wanna read it?

 

[omfgski]

T.

 

[Tasha]

Of course I dont. I will dig it out in the morning.

 

[omfgski]

.

 

[Kate&Lucas]

What will claimants be expected to do in return for Universal
Credit?
At the heart of Universal Credit is a partnership between the state and the claimant.
In return for receiving financial support, out of work claimants, depending on their
circumstances, must look for work, or take steps towards it. This may include
preparing a CV, attending training courses, applying for suggested vacancies or
registering with a recruitment agency. In most cases they must also be available and
willing to immediately take up work and attend periodic interviews to discuss plans
and opportunities for returning to work (immediately or in the future).
To demonstrate that they take this responsibility seriously, out of work claimants must
accept a claimant commitment. If a claimant refuses to accept their claimant
commitment, they will not be entitled to Universal Credit. If the claimant doesn’t do
what he or she has committed to do, they will experience tougher penalties than at
present, such as their benefit being reduced or withdrawn for up to three years. The
details of these penalties are currently being defined.
For some out of work claimants, this will not be the case. For example, there are
groups who will continue to get support and not be expected to work or prepare for
work over a sustained period. Examples of such groups are:
• claimants with limited capability for work related activity
• claimants who are in receipt of the Carer’s element
• claimants who are not in receipt of the Carer’s element but who do have caring
responsibilities of at least 35 hours in a week for a severely disabled person/s
• a lone parent with a child under the age of one year.

It sounds loosely like anyone outside of the exemption list and not in work will be treated as if on jobseeker's. If so then sitting in a room 9-5 applying for jobs sounds about right (I've not claimed but I have a friend on jobseeker's and he has to do this regularly. He has been on it a while though).
I'm not sure how it works with regards to education (I was planning to go back to college if I can't get work), I'm trying to find out on the PDF but it's as clear as mud.

I'm with you OP in that there is just nowhere employing near me in a job I can actually do. I have been out of work nearly 18 months now and haven't had so much as an interview since, despite sending hundreds of applications. I got turned down for a job at ASDA this week (even though I worked there as a teenager!). Time to get out on the street with my sandwich board and start begging for employment.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I dont understand how they think that will get more people in work? There is not enough jobs! x

 

[tina_h75]

so while I am sitting in a room from 9-5, are they going to be paying my childcare fees?

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

^ was thinking that, wont help the economy will it?

 

[Eternal]

It talks about preparing for work so it may well include attending collage.

I guess if less money is spent paying out in benefits than more can be spent in creating jobs and relieving employment costs to increase work force, but i am just guessing, haven't read it anywhere.

 

[// arcadia]

Next year in juneish i will have a new baby. My parter is full time and im contracted 24 hours which ill go back to after maternity .. so will the current tax credit system not be there like EVERYONE applies for universal credit? even though the only thing im entitledtoo/applying for is tax credits??