SMP ends, still employed but not paid, what does one live on?

magicgirl

i claimed income support while on career break

I was still employed but receiving no income and as a single parent, was told this is what i was entitled to. she should make the application. I explained in great detail what my situation was on the form and it was granted. the IS topped up my maintenence (I was receiving £50/w off dad) and they gave me about £9

I would certainly look into it as her maintenece is classed as income and she obviously needs a to up. My CM was taken straight off my IS cos it was a voluntary agreement. IF you go thru CSA, they let you keep come of it before it affects your entitlement. we chose not to go down that route because neither of us believes in the CSA but its there as a tool to be used. saying that, i am not too up on current rules cos i haven't needed to be. I went back to work after that year and my IS stopped and i was back on my usual routine. good luck to your friend. I think some people do not realise just how difficult it is to live when you are under teh 'socially deprived' umbrella as i have been. i do hope none of these callous responders ever find themselves in a position where they need social assistance.

karenx

magicgirl wrote: »

i claimed income support while on career break

I was still employed but receiving no income and as a single parent, was told this is what i was entitled to. she should make the application. I explained in great detail what my situation was on the form and it was granted. the IS topped up my maintenence (I was receiving £50/w off dad) and they gave me about £9

I would certainly look into it as her maintenece is classed as income and she obviously needs a to up. My CM was taken straight off my IS cos it was a voluntary agreement. IF you go thru CSA, they let you keep come of it before it affects your entitlement. we chose not to go down that route because neither of us believes in the CSA but its there as a tool to be used. saying that, i am not too up on current rules cos i haven't needed to be. I went back to work after that year and my IS stopped and i was back on my usual routine. good luck to your friend. I think some people do not realise just how difficult it is to live when you are under teh 'socially deprived' umbrella as i have been. i do hope none of these callous responders ever find themselves in a position where they need social assistance.

I hope your not referring to everybody who has responded on this thread
I myself have 2 kids, I went back to work 4months after having my first. And my second is now 12 weeks old and Im in the process of finding a nursery place for him so I can go back to work. I know when my MA finishes, its marked in my diary in a big black pen so I am well prepared for that as I dont have a job to go back too so as soon as my MA stops then I only have TC and CB to live on till I get a job.
I know the person the OP is referring to must be finding it difficult just now but she had about a year and a half to think of what she was going to do and to plan ahead, so its not like this has came out the blue!

soph2566

Thanks for all the replies on this post. I have to say I am disappointed by the tone of some the responses. Not all of us are as organised as the next person. Yes my friend had the 9 months of pregnancy and her mat leave to save up. BUT in between times she rented and furnished a flat, waited 4 MONTHS for her LHA to come through (could not furnish thru freecycle as was so helpfully suggested as no internet connection or car to collect items), bought baby items and food and paid bills.

I live in the real world where in my job I deal with people every day who do not plan ahead or think about the consequences of their actions. Sadly this is part of today's society and all we can do is try to help and assist. NO ONE IS PERFECT.

I simply wanted to try to get some advice for her. For those that seem especially interested, the Father works shifts which is not conducive to helping with set childcare hours but does help out whenever he can. Both her parents work full time so cannot help. Not everyone has large extended families that can help or even want to help at the drop of a hat.

I thank magicgirl for seeing the bigger picture, not making assumptions or digs or insinuating my friend is silly or lazy or deserves what she gets as this is how some of the posts have come across. The benefits system is there to help people in the short term when they fall on hard times, yes it is abused by some but there are many genuine claimants.

I shall let my friend know it is unlikely she can claim IS while still employed but not being paid, will check the CPAG book also when I can get to the library and will speak to a welfare rights worker. What I won't do however is tell her about the attitudes of some people towards single parents claiming a benefit for a short time. I think she would find that hurtful. Certainly I have been so angered by some of what I have read on here I have had to leave it for a day before I could return to post.

Please remember, everyone has a right to be treated with respect in an equal way whatever their needs, circumstances, race or beliefs. What does not offend you may offend someone else. I think we should all be mindful of this.
Thanks

sammyjammy

I think you are taking the comments people have made the wrong way.

Nobody is having a go at anyone for claiming benefits that they are entitled to, thats what this board is for after all.

The problem people have is that we all know people who have had to go back to work earlier than they would like to after having a child, its about choices, if she made the choice to have one year off then she has to deal with the consequences of that.

Its a choice many people cannot afford to make. Just becasue you didn't get the answers you wanted it doesn't mean people were having a go or being nasty.

soph2566

sammyjammy wrote: »

I think you are taking the comments people have made the wrong way.

Nobody is having a go at anyone for claiming benefits that they are entitled to, thats what this board is for after all.

The problem people have is that we all know people who have had to go back to work earlier than they would like to after having a child, its about choices, if she made the choice to have one year off then she has to deal with the consequences of that.

Its a choice many people cannot afford to make. Just becasue you didn't get the answers you wanted it doesn't mean people were having a go or being nasty.

Thanks for pointing that out, although it is not about "not getting the answer I want", it is about being answered in a dignified and respectful way. She is dealing with the consequences of having a year off - that is why she is investigating the avenues that are available so she can make an informed decision.

iamana1ias

soph2566 wrote: »

Thanks for pointing that out, although it is not about "not getting the answer I want", it is about being answered in a dignified and respectful way. She is dealing with the consequences of having a year off - that is why she is investigating the avenues that are available so she can make an informed decision.

Has this information not been available for the last 18 months then?

astonsmummy

I claimed IS when I 'had a job' ok so I was bank staff but I told the LPA this and they said it was fine, it just meant/means that when I want to I can basically walk back into my job.
Surely even though the OP technically has a job, she is not receiving any money what do they expect her to live on

sammyjammy

astonsmummy wrote: »

I claimed IS when I 'had a job' ok so I was bank staff but I told the LPA this and they said it was fine, it just meant/means that when I want to I can basically walk back into my job.
Surely even though the OP technically has a job, she is not receiving any money what do they expect her to live on

err give up her job or go back to work now.

dookar

dookar wrote: »

The exclusion regarding employment is the remunerative work exclusion isn't it?

And a person on maternity leave is not in remunerative work...

Does everyone have me on ignore?