Changes to Income Support

suemacd22

I am a lone parent with three children (8, 11, 13), work part-time and therefore on a low income (the hours I am able to work are restricted due to only being able to work during school hours and term-time - they have been through so much over the past year, wouldn't want to leave them with a childminder). I have received a letter stating that my Income Support will stop if I am only claiming because I am a lone parent and will have to make a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance. I am a lone parent but also on a low income. I was wondering if anyone else was in the same position as me? I currently get help with my mortgage, free school meals etc. Will all this stop? I'm at my wits end this morning and just don't know what to do! I have an appt with Jobcentre Plus on Tuesday but was hoping someone could advise me before then!

zagfles

You'll be moved onto income based JSA - the payments are exactly the same and you'll carry on getting free school meals, CTC, SMI, and CTB as now. Though you can only get SMI for 2 years it seems...

You'll need to look for work of 16 hours a week but as you have a child under 12 you can refuse any work outside school hours. If you find work of 16 hours your JSA, SMI and free school meals will stop but you'll get WTC, this could make you worse off (as there's no taper on SMI like there is with HB), depending on how much SMI you get.

suemacd22

Thank you so much - you have certainly put my mind at rest! :j