Single, pregnant. Some advice would be appreciated :)

claire_80_2

katiesmummy wrote: »

If you choose not to go back to work, you will be entitled to income support, child tax credit, child benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit plus healthy start vouchers (I think).

Going back to work may not be as daunting as you think it is- if you are in a low-paid job you may find that a vast amount of your childcare costs will be covered by tax credits, plus you may be able to claim some housing/council tax benefit as well to help with those bills. I don't have any family and I work and pay for my youngest to go to nursery and my eldest goes to breakfast club/after school club.

Its not ideal but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Put your wages into entitledto.co.uk and work it as if you have had the baby- put in your wages, childcare costs, rent, council tax etc and it should throw a rough figure at you.

Re the child's father- why is he not an option? You can contact the CSA once you have the baby and they can sort out maintenance for you- its not a guarantee that you will get any but you have nothing to lose.

Thanks hun.

It just really is so very difficult for me at the moment, my mind is in a whirl as to what to do for the best.

I'll go to the website you suggested, thank you

katiesmummy

claire_80 wrote: »

Thanks hun.

It just really is so very difficult for me at the moment, my mind is in a whirl as to what to do for the best.

I'll go to the website you suggested, thank you

I couldn't swear to it, but I am pretty sure that you would be better off staying in work as opposed to going on IS- plus you get the added satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting yourself and your child.

I feel an immense amount of pride every time I pay a bill or buy something for the kids- because I know that I have worked hard to pay for it. Sounds stupid but it helps your self-esteem no ends!

claire_80_2

looby75 wrote: »

As a lone parent you will be able to get help with childcare costs (up to 80% of the fees) if you go back to work after the baby is born, you will also receive child tax credits and working tax credits so you might find that returning to work is actually a much better option financially than you think

I didn't realise that people got so much help with childcare costs, that's remarkable!

Thanks so much for your reply, I think you might really be onto something there

claire_80_2

katiesmummy wrote: »

I feel an immense amount of pride every time I pay a bill or buy something for the kids- because I know that I have worked hard to pay for it. Sounds stupid but it helps your self-esteem no ends!

That is exactly how I want to feel... as I aid in my original post I want to go back to work and I want to be able to provide for myself, but I know that's it's going to be hard.

looby75

claire_80 wrote: »

I didn't realise that people got so much help with childcare costs, that's remarkable!

Thanks so much for your reply, I think you might really be onto something there

good luck I hope everything works out for you. It really is better to keep your job if you can.

When I became a lone parent I had no choice but to stop working as my ex was my childcare and when he left I had no one to look after the kids (child care where I live is all but none existent) I'm trying to find a job again now my kids are a older and I'm finding it really really hard to even get interviews.

claire_80_2

looby75 wrote: »

good luck I hope everything works out for you.

Thanks so much

Mojisola

claire_80 wrote: »

How nice of you. I did not ask to be a single parent, maybe you would like to ask god if I can have my partner back?

Honestly, there is a sticky at the top of this board asking members not to judge and to give their advice accordingly - I suggest you go and read it.

If the father of your child has died, it would be worth mentioning it when you ask for advice. His child may be entitled to a share of his estate.

If he has just left you, then he should be pursued for maintenance.

You and your child will be entitled to a range of benefits but it's understandable that people get cross when a mother seems to be turning to the taxpayer without mentioning the other parent.

rubber_soul

Claire, I would agree with looking at entitled to to get an idea of what help you could get once the baby is born. If you were to return to work I imagine you could get quite abit of help with child care costs (it does seem daunting as it is so expensive but childcare vouchers or tax credits would help)

Good luck either way and congratulations on your baby!

katiesmummy

claire_80 wrote: »

That is exactly how I want to feel... as I aid in my original post I want to go back to work and I want to be able to provide for myself, but I know that's it's going to be hard.

I'm not going to pretend its not hard- sometimes I would love to give up work but I refuse to go back on benefits unless I absolutely have to as I just find it demoralizing. Unless you have absolutely no debts it is very hard to make the money stretch, and you end up robbing peter to pay paul as I did.

The feeling you get when your child is older and says 'Mummy I am so proud that you go to work so we can have nice things' is second to none- my dd said that to me last week, although she did add 'but its nice to have you at home as well!' as I am on annual leave at the moment.

Honestly, it can be done, and it can be done with no back up whatever.

claire_80_2

Mojisola wrote: »

If the father of your child has died, it would be worth mentioning it when you ask for advice. His child may be entitled to a share of his estate.

If he has just left you, then he should be pursued for maintenance.

You and your child will be entitled to a range of benefits but it's understandable that people get cross when a mother seems to be turning to the taxpayer without mentioning the other parent.

I don't tend to mention it to everyone to be honest, their view of me tends to change when I tell them and I immediately get the sympathy vote and an arm put round me lol...

There's no money in his estate unfortunately, just love from his family