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Lone parent/IS changes to JSA
Comments
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Hi Pendart, I myself am facing the same situation. And to be honest it is rather stressing me out.
I always thought 11/12 was a good age for the rules to change with regards to IS/JSA as kids by this age are able to take care of themselves, get to and from school on their own (I always did at that age) but 7? I think alot of people are going to struggle, like you say, I want to be there to take my son to and from school, be able to go to parent workshops/performances/sports days etc.
I don't object to childcare, but surely the places are going to be limited when the rules change as so many more people will be needing them?
As well as school holidays, what about when a child is sick, or you yourself are ill and can't go to work, how understanding are employers going to be then?
Finally, will it be worth it money wise? I know alot of people will make a hoo ha about this, but I'm not sure i would be able to earn enough money to pay rent, council tax and all other bills if I went back to work... I don't have a partner to share the costs with and as yet no maintenance payments from my child's father.
A friend of mine is self employed as a child minder but she has struggled to find clients, I would like to work from home but haven't got a clue what I could do!!Be who you are, say what you feel, those who mind don't matter, those who matter don't mind.They say that talking to yourself is a sign of mental illness. So I talk to the cats instead.0 -
missmontana wrote: »Hi Pendart, I myself am facing the same situation. And to be honest it is rather stressing me out.
I always thought 11/12 was a good age for the rules to change with regards to IS/JSA as kids by this age are able to take care of themselves, get to and from school on their own (I always did at that age) but 7? I think alot of people are going to struggle, like you say, I want to be there to take my son to and from school, be able to go to parent workshops/performances/sports days etc.
I don't object to childcare, but surely the places are going to be limited when the rules change as so many more people will be needing them?
As well as school holidays, what about when a child is sick, or you yourself are ill and can't go to work, how understanding are employers going to be then?
Finally, will it be worth it money wise? I know alot of people will make a hoo ha about this, but I'm not sure i would be able to earn enough money to pay rent, council tax and all other bills if I went back to work... I don't have a partner to share the costs with and as yet no maintenance payments from my child's father.
A friend of mine is self employed as a child minder but she has struggled to find clients, I would like to work from home but haven't got a clue what I could do!!
Why should single parents be any different to children with two parents? Should the economy stop just because children are off school?Gone ... or have I?0 -
missmontana wrote: »Hi Pendart, I myself am facing the same situation. And to be honest it is rather stressing me out.
I always thought 11/12 was a good age for the rules to change with regards to IS/JSA as kids by this age are able to take care of themselves, get to and from school on their own (I always did at that age) but 7? I think alot of people are going to struggle, like you say, I want to be there to take my son to and from school, be able to go to parent workshops/performances/sports days etc.
I don't object to childcare, but surely the places are going to be limited when the rules change as so many more people will be needing them?
As well as school holidays, what about when a child is sick, or you yourself are ill and can't go to work, how understanding are employers going to be then?
Finally, will it be worth it money wise? I know alot of people will make a hoo ha about this, but I'm not sure i would be able to earn enough money to pay rent, council tax and all other bills if I went back to work... I don't have a partner to share the costs with and as yet no maintenance payments from my child's father.
A friend of mine is self employed as a child minder but she has struggled to find clients, I would like to work from home but haven't got a clue what I could do!!
11/12 is far too old and it should have been lowered a long time ago, even age 7 is too high. After even 7 years out of the workplace it will be very hard to find employment nevermind 11.
Money wise, it shouldnt matter if its more - what counts is supporting yourself and the family you choose to have rather than expecting tax payers to do that.
I find your comment re being sick funny though, imagine if nobody worked for fear of being sick occasionally.
School performances are probably once/twice a term from experience and so can be juggled. They are certainly not a good enough reason to justify staying on benefits.
Places in childcare wont be limited, the more the demand - that means more nurseries and childminders can start up so more jobs and more childcare places.
Lots of people have no choice but to work, reducing claiming IS is a start in the right direction to giving all parents equal choices. Most mums only get 12 months maternity leave with minimal pay for 9 months of that so those on IS have it far better even with the reduced age limit.0 -
I'm not saying they should be any different, but with 2 parents, there are 2 incomes or 1 parent to look after the child when the other is at work and someone to support you emotionally!Be who you are, say what you feel, those who mind don't matter, those who matter don't mind.They say that talking to yourself is a sign of mental illness. So I talk to the cats instead.0
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maxmycardagain wrote: »The OP was asking for advice, if she wanted to sit on the dole/benefits she wouldnt need to ask would she, but i dont see much advice, are you all having PMT?
Actually the OP is more of a moan that she has to work rather than asking for advice.
Plenty of advice has been given, but nobody is going to agree that she/he is hard done to having not worked for at least 7 years.0 -
missmontana wrote: »
Finally, will it be worth it money wise? I know alot of people will make a hoo ha about this, but I'm not sure i would be able to earn enough money to pay rent, council tax and all other bills if I went back to work... I don't have a partner to share the costs with and as yet no maintenance payments from my child's father.
You seem to be forgetting the possibility of having wages topped up by tax credits, LHA and CTB.
People who've been out of the work force too long will have great difficulties in rebuilding a career and making provision for their families and their own retirement;these things are more important than the short term gain of a couple of pounds.0 -
missmontana wrote: »I'm not saying they should be any different, but with 2 parents, there are 2 incomes or 1 parent to look after the child when the other is at work and someone to support you emotionally!
To have two incomes, that would mean that both parents would be working. Why is it ok for two parents to both work full time, but not a single parent?
In an ideal world all households would be able to have one parent at home with the children. If you wish to live in that ideal world, you should not expect the state to finance you.
I cannot see the relevance of emotional support. Do single parents need more time off due to a lack of emotional support?Gone ... or have I?0 -
DaisyFlower wrote: »11/12 is far too old and it should have been lowered a long time ago, even age 7 is too high. After even 7 years out of the workplace it will be very hard to find employment nevermind 11.
Money wise, it shouldnt matter if its more - what counts is supporting yourself and the family you choose to have rather than expecting tax payers to do that.
I find your comment re being sick funny though, imagine if nobody worked for fear of being sick occasionally.
School performances are probably once/twice a term from experience and so can be juggled. They are certainly not a good enough reason to justify staying on benefits.
Places in childcare wont be limited, the more the demand - that means more nurseries and childminders can start up so more jobs and more childcare places.
Lots of people have no choice but to work, reducing claiming IS is a start in the right direction to giving all parents equal choices. Most mums only get 12 months maternity leave with minimal pay for 9 months of that so those on IS have it far better even with the reduced age limit.
At the moment I would say its hard to find a job if you've only been out of employment for 6 months! Judging by some of the other forums I have read posts on.
Its not the fear of being sick, but its a reality! Children do get ill you know... if I worked 16 hrs, would I myself get sick pay? (that's a genuine question)
I wasn't saying school performances justify staying on benefits, but I've seen the faces of some of the kids whose parents don't turn up because they are working.
Money wise, I still have to pay all the rent and bills on my own!
I and the OP would really like some constructive advice and not judgement on this issue.Be who you are, say what you feel, those who mind don't matter, those who matter don't mind.They say that talking to yourself is a sign of mental illness. So I talk to the cats instead.0 -
To have two incomes, that would mean that both parents would be working. Why is it ok for two parents to both work full time, but not a single parent?
In an ideal world all households would be able to have one parent at home with the children. If you wish to live in that ideal world, you should not expect the state to finance you.
I cannot see the relevance of emotional support. Do single parents need more time off due to a lack of emotional support?
I didn't say they both had to work full time.
Having suffered from severe post natal depression, then emotional support is very relevant.Be who you are, say what you feel, those who mind don't matter, those who matter don't mind.They say that talking to yourself is a sign of mental illness. So I talk to the cats instead.0 -
missmontana wrote: »I wasn't saying school performances justify staying on benefits, but I've seen the faces of some of the kids whose parents don't turn up because they are working.
Money wise, I still have to pay all the rent and bills on my own!
Why are you having to pay your own rent if you're a lone parent on benefits?0
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