Got a question about income support changes for lone parents?

shell_542

Yes, our local council are currently doing a questionnaire about childcare in the area. I made sure I filled that in! lol

DaisyFlower

kingfisherblue wrote: »

In my area there is currently a questionnaire about childcare on the council website. I believe there is also something called DCATCH, that should, in theory, make it easier for parents of disabled children to find childcare. Unfortunately, it is still nigh on impossible to get childcare for disabled children. Even the after school club that caters for disabled children in my town cannot offer more than one or two places a week, and that is only if you live in certain areas of the town. They can only have a few disabled children due to needing more staff to cater for their needs.

As for being a single parent, claiming benefits, etc., for many of us it is not through choice. I had my three children when I was married. My husband left me after eighteen years together - almost sixteen of those years married. He cannot help with childcare as he no longer lives in the area. My mum helps when she can, but at 77, I don't want to ask too much of her. Claiming benefits, for me, is a necessity and not a choice.

Whilst its sad that the relationship broke down, why would it stop you working? There is help with childcare costs available through tax credits. Having children doesnt mean you cant work.

Oldernotwiser

joolez wrote: »

I'd like to ask.. Why are courses that single mums could do run in the evenings and weekends with no childcare facilities available? And does the drive to get single parents back to work mean single parents have to give up the right to want a career and a future for them and their kids so the governemnt can rake back some of the debt which is really down to the banks being bailed out?

Most courses are available in the daytime and very few are offered at weekends.

SingleSue

shell_542 wrote: »

You're right, your situation wasn't the same, as you were able to work around the ex's shifts. I wish I could. I would much rather my children were being cared for by my husband than a childcare provider, especially a childcare provider who I am basically working to pay with very little left over. But as I stated, my Husband works a variety of shifts day and night. There is no regular time available to work around him. He either finishes at 7pm, 11pm or 7am. No chance for late or even night work or me as we have no friends or family who can help out either.

Whereas some single parents maybe fortunate enough to have friends and family do childcare for them, like a few I know. It is not as black and white to just say couples have it easier when it comes to employment/childcare.

The current childcare situation is rubbish for all parents who must rely on it.

Yes I understand that and did say (in answer to your previous post) that for those who work shifts and are a couple, outside childcare is an essential thing.

I'm one of the unfortunate single parents, I have no friends or family to do the childcare bit, no childcarers who will take on the children due to their disabilities (the reason why I worked around ex husbands hours in the first place rather than sit at home) and they are not able to be left alone despite being 12 and 14, so I am forced to try to find something during school hours and term time only (although I am actually exempt from looking for work due to carer responsibilities - I'm going brain dead however! )

As a couple, I found it easier to do it, as does my sister and her husband and my brother and his ex wife (both taxi drivers, both doing shift work but both working for the same taxi company) but of course, I know for others, that is not possible.

Indie_Kid

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Whilst its sad that the relationship broke down, why would it stop you working? There is help with childcare costs available through tax credits. Having children doesnt mean you cant work.

And where is affordable childcare? Even harder if the child is disabled.

FBaby

sh1305 wrote: »

And where is affordable childcare? Even harder if the child is disabled.

Childcare is made affordable with the childcare element of WTC. It's been written here about 3 or 4 times, yet the claim that a single parent can't work because of the cost of childcare keeps coming back...

Indie_Kid

FBaby wrote: »

Childcare is made affordable with the childcare element of WTC. It's been written here about 3 or 4 times, yet the claim that a single parent can't work because of the cost of childcare keeps coming back...

Not everyone is entitled to help with childcare. Currently, you get 80% up to £175 per week for 1 child, or 80% up to £300 for 2 or more children.

FBaby

sh1305 wrote: »

Not everyone is entitled to help with childcare. Currently, you get 80% up to £175 per week for 1 child, or 80% up to £300 for 2 or more children.

I believe the childcare element is separate to WTC. I was earning close to £30k when my kids were at nursery and still I received 80% of my childcare costs.

The average weekly nursery cost is £150 for a child under 2 yo (cheaper after that), so that seems about right.

amcraig

FBaby wrote: »

I believe the childcare element is separate to WTC. I was earning close to £30k when my kids were at nursery and still I received 80% of my childcare costs.

The average weekly nursery cost is £150 for a child under 2 yo (cheaper after that), so that seems about right.

It's not always the case though. I earn about 25k and once tapering has been taken into account I get about half of my £800 a month bill paid. I'm not complaining (it keeps me afloat) but I kind of get fed up with the assumption that all single parents get 80% of their childcare paid.

I'm lucky as I don't have a mortgage to pay but I can envisage a scenario where maybe if I did have a big mortgage and possibly some debts (left over from my marriage) then even finding £400 a month might be difficult and make childcare unaffordable. I can only think this will get worse once the taper percentages are increased and the max that will be paid for childcare drops to 70%.

Alison

kingfisherblue

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Whilst its sad that the relationship broke down, why would it stop you working? There is help with childcare costs available through tax credits. Having children doesnt mean you cant work.

I wasn't working before my marriage ended, as I care for our disabled son. He needs substantial care both day and night - I'm up with him an average of three or four times a night. He also has numerous appointments at two hospitals and various clinics. I sometimes go back to sleep when the children are in school, as I need to catch up on some of the sleep I miss. Also, childcare for disabled children is extremely difficult to find in my area.