A mother receiving Universal Credit has revealed the immense strain of her daily commute is pushing her to the brink of resigning from her job, despite fears of being sanctioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The impossible journey: Housing move creates commute chaos
The woman explained that after her landlord ended a lease with the council, she was left with little choice but to accept an offer of permanent housing. This crucial move, however, placed her much further from her workplace.
Her journey now typically takes 45 minutes, but frequently stretches to over an hour in traffic. The situation is compounded by school runs for her children, who also had to change schools due to the relocation. Even leaving early does not guarantee punctuality, creating a cycle of stress and anxiety.
Mental health and a search for solutions
In a heartfelt plea for advice posted on Facebook, the claimant detailed how the pressure is affecting her wellbeing. She disclosed that she suffers from depression and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), conditions exacerbated by the relentless stress of the commute and complex childcare logistics.
Determined to find a solution, she has applied for 88 jobs closer to her new home in an attempt to secure more suitable employment before considering resignation. Her primary concern is avoiding a DWP sanction for leaving her role voluntarily, a move that could severely impact her finances.
"I’m just trying to do the right thing and avoid being sanctioned," she wrote, adding that her youngest child is three years old.
Public response: Warnings and practical advice
The online community responded with a mix of stark warnings and practical suggestions. A recurring theme was the DWP's benchmark for a reasonable travel time.
One user cautioned that Universal Credit generally views a commute of 60 to 90 minutes as acceptable, meaning resigning solely over a 45-minute journey could likely result in a sanction unless she has a medical exemption like Limited Capability for Work and Related Activity (LCWRA).
Many urged her to secure a new position before leaving her current one. Others suggested exploring breakfast and after-school clubs, noting that UC can cover up to 85% of childcare costs. However, the claimant highlighted a critical barrier: the upfront fees for this care are currently unaffordable for her, and requests for financial help from her children's father have been unsuccessful.
Despite the difficulties, she expressed a strong attachment to her current role, stating, "I don’t want to leave my current job I love it so much and they are very flexible." The dilemma pits her mental health and family logistics against the strict requirements of the benefits system and the fear of financial penalty.
