DWP logic...

LL30

Just wondering if anyone can explain to me why if you work less than 16 hours, there is no support for childcare costs? Not quite sure what I'm supposed to do with the little one other than put her in nursery! On IS as a temporary measure post redundancy. Been offered a nil hour contract, £8 an hour (owch, but work is better than no work) at first I'll get about 8 hours and hopefully work up to 16, but it'll be a little while.

So working on the calculations 8 x 8 = £64. IS = £67. So they'll take £59 off = £8 from IS. So income will be £72 but I'll have to pay £36.50 for child care, so I'll have £35.50...I'm quite sure it's not workable - I suspect I've fallen into the benefits trap eh?

I heard that the £67.50 thing is the minimum the govt expect you to be able to live off. Fair play, I appreciate their help, but I'll be on £35.50...purely because I want to work...crazy crazy...any ideas? Or am I up a creek? Feel yet another letter to my MP coming on (although I'm under no illusions that it will help)

nannytone_2

as a single parent, youre allowed £20 disregard not £5.

they have to set a limit somewhere. if it was 12 hours a week, you'd have people that work 11 saying exactly the same thing... in the end the only solution would be to pay childcare for everyone regardless of how many hours they work. it just isnt sustainable

clearingout

you know they average over 4 weeks, don't you? So if you have a good week and work every day but then a poorer week and only manage 2 days, you'll still be over 16 hours over all? does that make a difference?

LL30

Nannytone - thank you! So in effect, that is my help towards nursery So I'll have £55.50 - won't sniff at that!

Clearing out - I'm so very confused about the whole hours thing, tax credits said I could apply as long as my hours were going to average 16 per wk over the year...now I've got one nil hour contract, and hoping to secure another, I'd quite happily mix the two - will prob entail me working 3/4 days, just to get the 16 hours due to the nature of the work! I would have to commit to 4 days childcare to do this, which is a substantial amount a month, so would need the tax credits help towards childcare. I just have to hope that it all works out, it's going to be very rough to start with, £55.50 to run a car etc is not going to be easy, but if it means I can eventually apply for tax credits, it would be worth it. The thought of not quite making the hours is giving me the hibby jibbies though - just imagine if I got to the end of the tax year and I hadn't done enough!!

NASA_2

Cunning stuff only mentioning your IS.

Dont you get tax credits?

josie.d

I think LL30 is referring to working tax credits, which can only be claimed if you are working an average of 16 hours or more per week. Otherwise, you can't get it, and you won't get any help towards childcare costs either if working less than an average 16 hours per week.

Child Tax credits would still payable though, but it won't be any more money than usual.

NASA_2

josie.d wrote: »

I think LL30 is referring to working tax credits, which can only be claimed if you are working an average of 16 hours or more per week. Otherwise, you can't get it, and you won't get any help towards childcare costs either if working less than an average 16 hours per week.

Child Tax credits would still payable though, but it won't be any more money than usual.

I was aware of that.

The OP will be getting more than the £30 odd that they suggest is my point.

LL30

I'll be getting IS and CTC. £67.50 and £59 a week. At the moment, I put all my daughters entitlements into a different account. I buy groceries and sort out household bills from my money, plus the additional I have to pay for childcare. I obviously use the money I get towards her childcare for her childcare and her element I use to get her nappies, clothes, wipes etc - keeps me on a even keel with things, but may have to revise things now! Wasn't trying to be 'cunning' but thanks, that's quite an accolade for me

NASA_2

Maybe 'cunning' was a bit harsh but people do tend to make things sound as bad as possible.

There will also be Housing Benefit/LHA or SMI payable too. Which adds to the amount being claimed.

LL30

Aw, kind of liked the thought of being cunning too! SMI? Don't know about that one! Yes, I live in a housing association flat which I was extremely lucky to be allocated when my world went crazy last year (a craziness which seems to be continuing!!) so I'll get full housing benefit and council tax benefit once my working tax credit run on has ended - it'll be very strange not having to pay rent, but I'm really hoping we'll be back on our feet before Christmas. Prior to this, the longest I've been unemployed is 8 mins...oh well, it'll all work out because it has to I am determined not to end up in the system and unable to get out, the only way I can see that happening, is if I do it as quickly as possible. I've become very disillusioned with the DWPs 'thought processes' as of late. I've worked full time since graduating (bar the last 18 months due to maternity) and paid £500+ each month in taxes, only to find that my mate who has sat on her bum for the last three years, has just been given £250 back to work grant, 4 weeks housing benefit run on plus £40 a week for a year!! !!!!!!...crazy crazy world...