u/Dazzling_Mountain_57

Hi all,

I’m looking into applying for UC - as a top up to income, but I’m wondering if the calculators are correct, if they are ever out and if there is anything else to take into consideration when using them? I’m worried if I execute the below, and UC says I’m entitled to less, I don’t think we can survive.

The context is - I’m a sole parent with limited support (physical) from only one other (elderly relative). I currently work long hours in a high pressured job, which is probably average salary, and am not entitled to UC. My health, my mental health and my well-being have taken a massive hit over the past 2 years and honestly the stress and illness caused are just becoming too much to handle (because of work, divorce, left family home, ExH abandoned kids and all responsibilities, and children have ADHD / ASD). I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to step back from this career, opt for a job with fewer hours and less stress (and unfortunately less pay), for a few years until the children grown up (will still be primary age) and we are in a better, more positive routine. The only issue is I will need to use UC to be able to help me pay the bills, without it we will default on bills and lose house.

I’m concerned about “what it’s” - “what if the calculator is wrong”, “what if IC reject my pay”, “what if we lose our current family home”, “what if I can’t pay the bills”.

Does anyone have any advice? Will the calculations be correct? Will UC reject my claim because I could previously earn more money? And how to contact child benefit to receive the correct rate (seem to go round circles on website)

Thank you!

I need help, I need advice, I need a blooming miracle!

I have young children, one with ASD and another with ADHD and it’s a LOT. I’m a sole parent - 365 days a year with one person in my support network for help. Their father has no contact and chose to move countries, somewhere where CMS cannot enforce maintenance.

I work 30hrs a week, + a 4.5hr round trip commute once a week and I work with a trendy, young, pre-family Gen Z’s, clicky group chats team (toxic too, but that’s another day). My lifestyle and priorities could not be further apart from the team. I work 9-5.30pm, I often stop work for pick up, dinner, bedtime (which with my ADHD child can often take 2-3hrs a night) and then work 9-11/12pm.

I’m shattered, I’m exhausted, I’m so drained and so burnt out. I can’t continue how I am, I feel like at this rate I’ll end up seriously unwell (stress-related heart attack or a breakdown) and who will my precious children have then?

I’ve lost all love for the job and I know I can’t continue like this. But I also don’t know how I can continue to financially survive on a less intense, ergo lower paid job which might give me the ability to breathe, be more mentally present and less drained. I’m so unhappy I want to quit this week, but I know without anywhere to go this is a bad idea.

Any advice? Please…