Advice on returning to work, (single mum) please?

tigzem

Hi all, I'm after some advice/suggestions/info/help

I'm a single mum to my DD who is 18 months now. I'm thinking of returning to work as I have some debt (see sig!) which I need to get paid off. The thing is when I was offered a PT job with my old employer the lone parent advisor worked out I would be better staying on benefits. However at that time my DD's father wasn't paying maintenance but he is now through the CSA (£170pm) I understand if I returned to work this would come direct to me rather than the DSS.

I was just wondering if there are any others in a similar situation, were you better off returning to work or not?

I do have an appointment with the lone parent advisor on the 29th but would appreciate some info before then.

Thanks in advance

Kimberley

tigzem wrote: »

Hi all, I'm after some advice/suggestions/info/help

I'm a single mum to my DD who is 18 months now. I'm thinking of returning to work as I have some debt (see sig!) which I need to get paid off. The thing is when I was offered a PT job with my old employer the lone parent advisor worked out I would be better staying on benefits. However at that time my DD's father wasn't paying maintenance but he is now through the CSA (£170pm) I understand if I returned to work this would come direct to me rather than the DSS.



I was just wondering if there are any others in a similar situation, were you better off returning to work or not?

I do have an appointment with the lone parent advisor on the 29th but would appreciate some info before then.

Thanks in advance

Yes the maintenance goes direct to you, but i recently found out that they include it in their council/housing tax assessment, so you may still end up worse off. Go back to see a new deal advisor to do a new calculator with the maintenance this time or do it yourself at entitledto.co.uk.

I am better off working at the moment, although my council tax that i have to pay has gone up so i'll have to do another budget form to check if i'm still better off or not.

Prudent

Check the figures by playing around with them at www.entitled.com. I am a single parent too and have always been better off working. Unless you have someon who can look after a sick child and take them to appointments, check out your entitlement to pay to cover this. It could leave you worse off at times.

wobblebottom

its entitledto.co.uk

Scarlett1

tigzem I wouldnt use the child maintenace to budget as this could be unreliable and be taken away at any time, treat it as a bonus, also, ask your lone parent advisor about the in work bonus of £40 per week for 1 year which you would be entitled too