Quitting work and claiming

CharlieR86

I'm a single mum working full time. My work are currently giving me a hard, I feel like they are trying to get rid of me. If I quit because of my stressful situation can I claim straight away for JSA. What other entitlements will I get?

[Deleted User]

if you give up work then JSA can be sanctioned for upto 26 weeks

Dunroamin

How old is your youngest child?

CharlieR86

My child is 2. Just trying to work out other means of living for now until I can find a part time job

zzzLazyDaisy

As your child is under 5, you will get income support and won't be sanctioned.

Put your details into the benefit checker here

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

This will give you an idea what you may get.

Note if you are in private rented accommodation, check the LHA rate for two bedroomed houses in your area. Then for 'rent' you put down whichever is the lower, your actual rent or the figure for LHA.

You might be surprised how much you will get, especially when you factor in the costs of childcare,travel, lunches and other associated costs of working.

Good luck

Dx

pmlindyloo

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

As your child is under 5, you will get income support and won't be sanctioned.

Put your details into the benefit checker here

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

This will give you an idea what you may get.

Note if you are in private rented accommodation, check the LHA rate for two bedroomed houses in your area. Then for 'rent' you put down whichever is the lower, your actual rent or the figure for LHA.

You might be surprised how much you will get, especially when you factor in the costs of childcare,travel, lunches and other associated costs of working.

Good luck

Dx

Am not one to urge people to go onto benefits but as a single mum with a child under school age you will be entitled to Income Support, full HB (up to your local housing allowance), full council tax benefit, child benefit, child tax credits and child support.

At the moment the system is extremely generous to single mums/dads.

Do the online calculator and you will see what I mean.

If you do get a part time job put the projected income into the calculator again and see if you are better off than on total benefits. As already said, don't forget to factor in travelling costs etc.

zzzLazyDaisy

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Am not one to urge people to go onto benefits but as a single mum with a child under school age you will be entitled to Income Support, full HB (up to your local housing allowance), full council tax benefit, child benefit, child tax credits and child support..

Just to add to this, in case you don't already know, all child maintenance from the child's father is disregarded when assessing eligibility for means tested benefits.

Also, as a single parent, if you do go back into paid employment, you only have to work 16 hours to claim working tax credits. Again, you might know this, but it is worth spending some time with the benefits calculator playing around with hours and figures, and calculating what will work best for you. Do also bear in mind that when your child reaches school age, you will not have the option to stay at home with her, and your choices will be more restricted.

Dx

rogerblack

mrsmsport wrote: »

Don't quit. You will find it v difficult to get another job when unemployed. Take each day as it comes. Gain as much skills as possible from your current job. Gain qualifications if possible. Ask for a move? Apply for another job meanwhile
Don't end up regretting anything x

I strongly agree with this.
Income support is in principle an entitlement, as others have mentioned.
However, is working tax credit being claimed if appropriate?

Mojisola

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

You might be surprised how much you will get, especially when you factor in the costs of childcare,travel, lunches and other associated costs of working.

And you could take advantage of the time you'll have to do some extra studying or volunteering so that you will be more employable when your little one starts school.

It is harder to get find a job after being unemployed so use the time to build on skills.