Universal credit confusion.

[Bombina]

So I recently became a single mum of 2 (5 and 1), my partner moved out and I thought I had got my head around universal credit, I was expecting to find out how much I was getting today only they are now asking for our joint earnings for the last 12 months which my ex was not keen to give me (my earnings are minimal I have a little online sideline business which pretty much just pays for my daughters swimming lessons, I wanted to be completely honest with my claim but now I worry I made a mistake in telling them, and should have just closed it up before claiming! Why do they need to know my ex partners income? I am so unbelievably stressed and tired from the baby waking regularly during the night still, my partner being un co operative, I can’t even begin to make headway on maintenance (which he says he can’t afford). Beginning to worry how I am going to feed the kids if my universal credit gets delayed. Could they have made a mistake in asking for this? should I just fill in the figures he has given me (scribbled on a post it note) without being able to verify if they are correct? He has always been secretive about his finances.

[Ramblinjon]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I shouldn’t worry too much about your side business, once it’s all sorted they will ask you each month what earnings you have but from the sounds of it they won’t penalise you too much.

As for the ex’s earnings that does seem a bit odd, your best bet is to give the gingerbread team a ring as they will be able to give you the most up to date advice.

https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/what-we-do/contact-us/helpline/

Mark

[Bombina]

Thank you. I managed to sort it out (sort of) I got my first payment through without problems, they are yet to reply to my query about what to do if my partner wont give me his earnings and you were right my little side business is fine( I can earn up to £200ish per month, which is much more than I anticipated, before it has an effect on my payments.) I was so worried about going onto universal credit after hearing so many horror stories about how difficult life was on benefits. But I will actually be a lot better off now I am single. I feel like I have been living in a bubble. My partner kept mine and our kids finances so limited. I went out and bought myself a new pair of jeans for the first time in about 5 years this weekend (I’ve always relied on hand me downs and charity shops) then felt incredibly guilty for doing so. I know he was not contributing as much as I was made to feel he was, with his full time job, while I stayed at home looking after the kids, cooking and cleaning. Now I just need to figure out what career I want to do when my youngest is old enough for childcare funding. I might go back to uni? Maybe I should open a B&B I feel like I’ve been providing that service for an exceptional price for the last few years!

[Ramblinjon]

I’m really pleased that you treated yourself to a new pair of jeans, you really shouldn’t feel guilty about it but I guess that it might take time to get your head around the fact that it’s your money now and you can do what the hell you like with it ☺

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