Stopping work?!?

freda1981

I am really confused! I have a good job, but am a single parent with 2 kids (under 5 - mad I know!)

Talking to a co-worker today, and they said they can't understand how single mums can afford to work - which of course got me thinking as things are really tight since tax credits have been practically halved with no warning. I checked out entitled to and found that actually I wouldn't be loosing anything if I did quit work and be a stay at home mum...

Considering I work full time in a pretty good job (earn just over 30K) I think it is completely crazy that the government are actually encouraging me (through numbers) to not work.

Can anyone confirm how much you actually do get for income support in this case (my yongest will be 2 in June) as I am not so sure that the numbers can be right!

gingergee

I know if i was a single mum, not working i'd get in the region of £600pw plus my rent, CT, free school meals, help from school for trips/uniforms etc. I do have 4 kids mind lol.
I know its daft but benefits can be removed at the drop of a hat. You have a sound job, and come across as sensible, so dont do it. In a few yrs, the kiddies will be more indepedent, increasing your earning potential xxx

salfordgirl

As above, as soon as your youngest turns 5 (as it says currently, it could well change again) you will be expected to find work.

So if you give up work now, yes you will be entitled to Income Support.

But you need to think about the job that you are in, it is a well paid job. If you gave it up, when your youngest turns 5 and you will be expected to find work, would you be able to find such a job again?

sweetme

I'm the same as you gingergee, I'd get a hell of a lot more money for sitting at home and claiming benefits. I'd crack up though being stuck at home and am much happier being self sufficient and working to provide for my kids. It also hopefully is making my kids realise that if you want anything you have to work for it!

FBaby

And here comes again a post providing evidence that single mothers are getting way too much benefits. Of course, that will be followed by the brigage that will claim that this is not true, that single mums are really struggling, can hardly feed their kids, would put their children in poverty if their benefits were reduced even by a few pounds....

I did the calculation many times, with a friend who fit in the single mum of two getting all the benefits of a single mum and her mortgage paid for and yes, she was as shock as me to discovered that although I was just under the 40% tax threshold, she was left with as much disposable income than I.

Personally, I think there are no excuse at all for single mum to be on income support. They should be on JSA from the moment the child is 1. Being able to choose to be at home with little ones is a luxury that many mothers (and most fathers) don't have, why should it be different for single mothers. The whole thing about childcare is just a pile of excuses.

The good thing is, working hard whilst being a single parent does pay off after some years and the feeling of accomplishment and more importantly of security and self-dependency is priceless.

BigAunty

freda1981 wrote: »

...

Can anyone confirm how much you actually do get for income support in this case (my yongest will be 2 in June) as I am not so sure that the numbers can be right!

You can model the working and non-working scenarios on the Turn2us online benefit calculator. If you are a tenant in a private rental property, you can identify the Local Housing Allowance you would be entitled to on the local council or Direct Gov website.

AFAIK, a workless lone parent will get around £200 per week in Income support, child tax credits and child benefit, so approx £866 per month, plus any child maintenance from the non-resident parent is received on top and doesn't reduce it. However, that was before some recent benefit changes so perhaps its a bit more now.

You'd get free school meals, not have to pay any council tax and will save on child care costs and travel to work. You'd also get the maximum LHA rate for the size of the property you are eligible for but many LHA claimants have to pay a top up between their LHA and the rent charged by the landlord.

I think lone parents who work 16 hours per week in low paid employment are generally a bit better off, as they will get working tax credits, too (but will lose the free school meals, I think).

Remember, though, that there is a planned move to the Universal Credit system which is supposed to make people better off in employment than on benefits, plus when your youngest reaches school age, you'd be moved off IS and onto Job Seekers Allowance

What does the benefit calculator say you will get versus what you get now after you've paid your rent, childcare, travel to work, tax, etc?

Anubis_2

freda1981 wrote: »

I am really confused! I have a good job, but am a single parent with 2 kids (under 5 - mad I know!)

Talking to a co-worker today, and they said they can't understand how single mums can afford to work - which of course got me thinking as things are really tight since tax credits have been practically halved with no warning. I checked out entitled to and found that actually I wouldn't be loosing anything if I did quit work and be a stay at home mum...

Considering I work full time in a pretty good job (earn just over 30K) I think it is completely crazy that the government are actually encouraging me (through numbers) to not work.

Can anyone confirm how much you actually do get for income support in this case (my yongest will be 2 in June) as I am not so sure that the numbers can be right!

Another thing to consider is the benefit cap coming into force that would affect you, which is 26k a year regardless if you are entitled to more. It includes total amounts given in housing benefit, council tax and all other benefits (so a max of £500 a week including amounts given for HB and CT) The exception is if you are disabled I believe.

If you have a good job, keep hold of it.

gingergee wrote: »

I know if i was a single mum, not working i'd get in the region of £600pw plus my rent, CT, free school meals, help from school for trips/uniforms etc. I do have 4 kids mind lol.
I know its daft but benefits can be removed at the drop of a hat. You have a sound job, and come across as sensible, so dont do it. In a few yrs, the kiddies will be more indepedent, increasing your earning potential xxx

Do you work Gingergee? I thought you had to give up working?

gingergee

Im still employed, but on sick. Dying to get back, just waiting for HR or whoever they are calling themselves to either change my job or decide they cant find another suitable position. Am hoping an office based job can be found, even if its just a few hours care planning or somat. They are dragging their feet a bit!!!!
My comment to the OP was purely the scenario of me being a single parent not working. Im obviously in a relationship where, until dec we both worked. Its sending me stupid looking at four walls but if im ill im ill x

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

I gave up my job after my maternity leave, about 4 months ago now. My partner is able to keep us as he works full time and we get topped up with TC. He thought it would be a good idea for me to stay at home as we have a 4,3 and 1 year old who I had just started bonding with as I had post natal depression, however I admitted this early and received great help and I am now able to bond with my youngest son. I must say though in march I was finding life very boring, I have always worked and I am not a "stay at home" mum, I get bored and very down. I think you would prob suffer the same, yes you may be no different money wise but being at home when your used to being out and about could be quite a knock for you.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

The other aspect is setting an example for your children. Around my area there are many people who dont work and this is a pattern that has seemed to follow down with there children. I would hate to think my children would just choose not to work. My mum was a single mum who worked 60+ a week and I think that is why I find it hard to be at home and not contributing to my house hold.

duchy

It's a balance -especially as the above post points out that you want your kids to grow up thinking working is the norm not a lifestyle choice !

I found working part-time worked best for me-I had the stimulation of work, time for my child and kept my working skills updated. Financially with tax credits I was better off part-time than full time earnings overall.

Would you have the option to go part-time in your current job-It may be worth crunching the numbers.