Any Working Single Mums Want to Share Their Benefits Experience?

Elle00

I've been messed around non-stop since becoming a single parent just over a year ago.

When my son was about 11m I started working 4hrs a week in a shop and then increased to working 16hrs a week when my 6m on IS was up (was so annoyed they wouldn't LET me work before that if I wanted a roof over my head!). I became ill in March though and had to stop for a while. I won't go into details but I'm starting to feel much better now and would like to work full-time in a more fulfilling role. I've recently passed new computing qualifications and have already lined up two interviews for good admin roles.

But because all these agencies mess up when you come off IS, I'm really nervous about doing it all again. I've nearly run out of savings having had NO INCOME for TWO MONTHS so I won't have any safety net to fall back on by the time I start work. I'm just so worried about whether or not I'm doing the right thing. Everything looks great on paper and in theory and I should be a bit better off each week plus I'll be able to move house if I want or buy a decent car on finance as I'll have private income to cite.

In the year I've been claiming benefits, I've had all of my personal documents lost by the council including my passport and birth cert, I've gone without my private rent being paid for two months over the Christmas period (yeah landlord was well chuffed), I've been basically accused of benefit fraud because I spent MY divorce settlement on a car and furniture for my flat (fled marital home thanks, didn't stop to pack all that well) and had to produce ridiculous amounts of receipts for a sickness IS claim that was submitted back in March but still hasn't been processed despite my local MP's input; I've also received a final demand for £200 council tax I didn't even realise I'd owed and don't even start me on the CSA who my ex-husband is actually WILLING to pay.

How have things worked out for other people in practice? If I go out to work full-time and stick to my job in the long run is it likely that things will all work out in the end? I really do feel I need to be out at work and full-time appears to be the way to go if I ever hope to get off benefits in the future (hopefully when my child starts school). If you're a single Mum and you stay on IS for years on end then what kind of future can you hope to have? My long-term goal is that if I can work my way up to PA level, I will be in a position to purchase a share in my very own home someday. Even though it might appear to make more sense to wait until my son is at school, the effect that would have on my income and CV for those three years really doesn't appeal to me.

Please don't worry about thread hijacking, if you've got an essay - I wanna read it!

seven-day-weekend

I've never been a single mum, nor on benefits, but neverthe less I can understand how hard it must be and wish you well.

Hopefully people will be along soon who have more relevant experiences to share!

mummymania

Hiya

I had quite a smooth transition when I went back to work.

I became a SP 4 yrs ago and moved into privte rented. My girls were 12 mths, 26 mths and 8. I went onto IS for 18 mths. In the meantime I went to college and did some voluntary work.

When girls were 3, 4 & 11 I decided to go back to work 18 hrs. I saw a Lone Parent worker at the job centre and highlighted my concerns about the changeover and not having money. They paid for childcare for the first month (2 in nursery), paid my IS for the first month, paid rent & ct for the first month, and gave me £40 to put petrol in my car to get to work for 2 weeks.

It was about 3 weeks til I started getting wtc & ctc through.

I still work 18 hrs and all 3 girls are at school now. I earn £8k for 18 hrs, but get ctc & wtc of about £12k. I pay full rent and ct.

Could ou make an appt at your jobcentre?

hth
Una x

Elle00

I am no longer speaking to my local job centre... I find them about as useful as a chocolate teapot to be honest. Some employees know what they're talking about and are really helpful but the weak links in the chain cause untold upset and distress and make the whole thing not worth it!

I really appreciate your reply though because it gives me hope that once I am settled into a full-time job and stick with it for the duration then things should work out. I won't get any run on of benefits this time like you did because I won't have claimed IS for 6m as is the qualifying period for a 4wk run-on when you start work (full HB and childcare being the important two). I figure sod it though, I'm not going to claim for a whole six months just to get a flipping run on - I'd rather take out a loan and be back at work.

I know I have technically made things difficult for myself in the past, largely by trying to jump back into work much quicker than perhaps I should have done and taking a job that wasn't going to stimulate or challenge me in the long run. But what's done is done and I need to move on from it.

I'd like to think that this time next year all my benefits will be running smoothly and I can get on with working towards a future. It's great to hear that you've managed to make things work for you. Elle x.