Lone Parent working 16hr wishing to stop work can I claim benefit?

nikinackyloo

Hi all

I currently work 16hours a week, I am a single parent with 2 children ( one aged 15months and the other aged 5) I am struggling to juggle everything and am considering giving up my job - would I be entitled to claim benefit though? Obviously I dont want to give up work and not be entitled to anything but at the moment my nursery fee's alone are £450 a month and my wages are not even that much , I do get both child and working tax credits at the moment, and am presuming if I gave up work I would still get child tax credits but would also be entitled to income support or JSA ???? do I just resign and contact the jobcentre? thanks in advance for any responses niki

midnight_express

You would be entitled to income support.

FBaby

You only work 16 hours and struggle everything? There is then something wrong with your organisation skills. Many single mums manage to care for 2 young children and still work full-time. It is hard, but considering going onto benefits rather than trying to find ways to be more organised is drastic. Yes, people will come and tell you that the government supports you getting benefits because you have young kids, so you will hear what you want to hear, but try to think long term. As time goes by, things will get easier with your children. If you continue to work, you are building your experience and making your CV look more attractive. It might mean that in a few years time, when your youngest is ready for school, you might be earning more and your employer might be more prepared to consider flexible working hours. The alternative of going on benefits might sound great, but in 4 years time, you will have to be looking for work, with a CV with a 4 years gap and not the same level of experience. You will struggle a lot more to get a decent job.

Don't fall for that trap of an easy life on benefits, if you need help, ask for it, both to get a break and learn tricks to make your life as a single working mum easier.

nikinackyloo

wow thank you fbaby, if I needed a lecture on how to manage things I would have asked. You dont actually know anything about my circumstances, I asked for advice about IF I would be entitled to benefits that was all.

For your information I am a fully qualified paediatric nurse who is unable to work hospital shifts anymore ( unless you can find me a nursery that covers 7am starts, 8pm finishes and night shifts?). I am currently working in a supermarket whereby I have to work every sunday. My parents have to mind my 2 children as no childcare facilities are available at the weekend and my father is of ill health, hence why I am no longer able to juggle everything - if I dont have childcare, I cant work - simple! Going onto benefit was only ever going to be a temporary solution and I would hope to use that time wisely, to set up my own business.


Next time, please think before writing patronising posts - try reading the 11th Commandment perhaps:(

sunnyone

nikinackyloo wrote: »

wow thank you fbaby, if I needed a lecture on how to manage things I would have asked. You dont actually know anything about my circumstances, I asked for advice about IF I would be entitled to benefits that was all.

For your information I am a fully qualified paediatric nurse who is unable to work hospital shifts anymore ( unless you can find me a nursery that covers 7am starts, 8pm finishes and night shifts?). I am currently working in a supermarket whereby I have to work every sunday. My parents have to mind my 2 children as no childcare facilities are available at the weekend and my father is of ill health, hence why I am no longer able to juggle everything - if I dont have childcare, I cant work - simple! Going onto benefit was only ever going to be a temporary solution and I would hope to use that time wisely, to set up my own business.


Next time, please think before writing patronising posts - try reading the 11th Commandment perhaps:(

The 11th commandment is "though shall not get caught", whats that got to do with anything?

And Fbaby has been on your position and she is now reaping the benefits of stayin g work when thaings were hard.

Lady_gaga

can't the kids father help with childcare on a weekend? seems like a practical solution

nikinackyloo

sunnyone wrote: »

The 11th commandment is "though shall not get caught", whats that got to do with anything?

And Fbaby has been on your position and she is now reaping the benefits of stayin g work when thaings were hard.

I beg your pardon, I should have said the misunderstood 11th Commandment of Thou Shalt Not Judge.

Fbaby, leaves an 11 year old home alone to go to work every day - something I would never even consider doing but thanks, your advice was great - ooops silly me, you didnt actually give any, just like Fbaby didnt either!

nikinackyloo

Lady_gaga wrote: »

can't the kids father help with childcare on a weekend? seems like a practical solution

only if they could catch a flight to The Middle East

nikinackyloo

midnight_express wrote: »

You would be entitled to income support.

many thanks for you non judgemental post - that was all I wanted to know, much appreciated

FBaby

nikinackyloo wrote: »

I beg your pardon, I should have said the misunderstood 11th Commandment of Thou Shalt Not Judge.

Fbaby, leaves an 11 year old home alone to go to work every day - something I would never even consider doing but thanks, your advice was great - ooops silly me, you didnt actually give any, just like Fbaby didnt either!

Oh dear, there's bit of attitude here! Ok, I was maybe a bit quick to evoke your organisation skills, but your initial words were 'I am struggling to juggle everything', not 'I have a problem with childcare on sundays' which is quite a bit different, although in my book still doesn't justify automatically giving up a job and relying on tax payers to support you and your children.

If your referring to my leaving my 11 year old on her on is an attempt to try to undermine my choices, you are very much wasting your time! I leave my almost 12 year old on her own because she is perfectly capable of it, mature and independent....because I raised her to be so, and yes, working full-time probably helped. It's a self-fulfilling prothecy.

I did try to help you, advised you about the possible consequences of giving work, but you clearly decided to react defensively. I'll move on quite happily!!

Fiver29

FBaby wrote: »

Oh dear, there's bit of attitude here! Ok, I was maybe a bit quite to evoke your organisation skills, but your initial words were 'I am struggling to juggle everything', not 'I have a problem with childcare on sundays' which is quite a bit different, although in my book still doesn't justify automatically giving up a job and relying on tax payers to support you and your children.

If your referring to my leaving my 11 year old on her on is an attempt to try to undermine my choices, you are very much wasting your time! I leave my almost 12 year old on her own because she is perfectly capable of it, mature and independent....because I raised her to be so, and yes, working full-time probably helped. It's a self-fulfilling prothecy.

I did try to help you, advised you about the possible consequences of giving work, but you clearly decided to react defensively. I'll move on quite happily!!

Don't let anyone tell you you're wrong. Only you know your child. DS has been quite capable of looking after himself since he was 10 at the latest (probably earlier), DD on the other hand is only just capable at 11. Difference being because DD is the youngest she's been a little more pampered than DS, who is far more independent.