advice

kirstycobie

hi,

just wanting abit of advice, thnking of packing work in, as i kicked up a bit of a fuss as they said i couldnt have annual leave entitledment as id been on maternity leave but in the end they said i could have these (must of realised i was in the right) and ever since then they have been giveing me all the horrible jobs like a run-a-bout and this is really getting me down as i am a qualified Personal assisstant/ secretary! but am thinking of packing it in and concentrating on geting my degree in health and social care which i am currently doing through the Open University.

but was wondering how much benefits i could claim, would this just be income support and child tax?

i have 2 kids one is 5 and the other is 16months and i am a single parent. just i dont want to pack in my job if i am going to be really worse off even though the job is really getting me down and dread going in the 2 days i work.

cant go on entitled to or other sites like that as for somereason my computer wont load them sites. id be grateful if someone could give me a rough estimate. thanks

bestpud

Income support is roughly £65 a week.

Child tax credit is roughly £95 a week for two children.

Child benefit would be the same as you get now.

You can currently keep only the first £20 of any child maintenance but that will change soon and you will be able to keep all of it.

You would receive maximum help with rent and council tax and exemption from NHS charges.

Also free school meals for the five year old, but obviously no help with childcare.

This all assumes you have no savings over £6k, other income etc.

HTH

kirstycobie

thanks a lot for that. its gonna be about £300 less a month that what im on at the minute, will need to think about it.

it would be worth it though i i manage to get my degree but its just in the short term with regard to my expenditutre. and at least i could do the school run and also take my litte on to the school nursery once she starts then once she gets to school if i have my degree i could get a better job!

any one know how long it takes for income support claims to come through?

thanks a lot

AnxiousMum

Bestpuds post is excellent - gives you lots of info. Have you got an agreement in place with the children's other parent to provide child maintenance? The responsibility for financial provisions apply to both parents, not just one. This might be enough to help you make a better life for yourself and your children as well.

bestpud

FWIW, I think you are better off staying in work if you can, although I know it is hard juggling everything.

Are you able to look for another job that is more relevent to your degree?

I know childcare can be a problem with carework, but how about approaching some agencies and asking about daytime work? A few in this area recognise there are parents who can only work during school hours and sometimes market those people specifically.

Or, if you are going to stop working, I think it would be very useful if you can get some relevent voluntary work to support your degree when you graduate.

How about trying to get admin work in a social care setting?

Do you think you'd benefit from seeing a careers advisor for a chat? I feel it will help if you think you are moving in the right direction iyswim?

kirstycobie

bestpud - great advice!
i do admin wrjk at min so have thought the best way to get into social work would be to do admin in a scial care setting - but no jobs at min!

any advice on someone to speak to in careers advice?

mainly i want to work with children as i think it would be so rewarding in helping them acheive things or helping them with their own personal needs etc.

bestpud

I think if you call Connexions they will be able to tell you what adult careers provision there is in your area.