Perhaps giving up work due to stress and kids on DLA

mummytofour

Hi,
I am a single mum to five, two are getting high rate dla.
I work full-time in a stressfull job and I am not sure how much more I can do, I am considering working either part time or not at all as I can not carry on doing everything I do and the childrens needs are so complex.
I may also study a part-time masters as that way I will still be doing something worthwhile.

I live in a mortaged house which I purchased in 2006 which sadly is in joint names with the ex.

I am really confused about the universal credit and how things will or could effect me, if I were to reduce hours or stop working.

I guess I would get the equivilant of
child tax credits
cares
council tax benefit
kids dla
Would I be able to get help with childcare as a carer but not working?
Would I be able to get help with my mortage as it is in joint names?
Would I be able to get income support?

Any changes I make would not be until august/sep if at all.

Thanks in advace

[Deleted User]

what age are the children?

helentay_2

mummytofour wrote: »

Hi,
I am a single mum to five, two are getting high rate dla.
I work full-time in a stressfull job and I am not sure how much more I can do, I am considering working either part time or not at all as I can not carry on doing everything I do and the childrens needs are so complex.
I may also study a part-time masters as that way I will still be doing something worthwhile.

I live in a mortaged house which I purchased in 2006 which sadly is in joint names with the ex.

I am really confused about the universal credit and how things will or could effect me, if I were to reduce hours or stop working.

I guess I would get the equivilant of
child tax credits
cares
council tax benefit
kids dla
Would I be able to get help with childcare as a carer but not working?
Would I be able to get help with my mortage as it is in joint names?
Would I be able to get income support?

Any changes I make would not be until august/sep if at all.

Thanks in advace

Where's the ex in all of this and his responsibilities to pay for the children and the mortgage so that mum can enjoy the kids instead of having to worry like this?

nannytone_2

you would get income support on the grounds that you are a carer.
i cant see that you'd get any help with childcare, when you are not working.
you would get help with mortgage interest, but only on your portion of the mortgage

shedboy94

All in all, probably benefits in excess of £700 per WEEK

BigAunty

See the Shelter website about your options and rights when it comes to a jointly owned property. They also have a section relating to those struggling to pay their mortgage and even if you aren't now, you should read up on some of the schemes and support that is in place in case you do.

Be aware that the current system of Support for Mortgage Interest is being reviewed by the govt and keep your eyes open for any future changes to policy. I've come across articles that suggest that the govt dislike the way that mortgage interest is paid in perpetuity for some benefit claimants, though it is time limited for some.

From their perspective, financial support for home owners ought to be time limited and that it should be a temporary thing for those who have a realistic chance of re-entering employment to pay for it. Those who cannot pay off their mortgage through employment ought to sell up. They are even contemplating making it a loan, putting a charge on the property. This just seems to be at discussion stage but it does mean that you can't necessarily rely on SMI while you bring your children up.

See the Direct Gov website for info on child maintenance which is that you can either have a privately negotiated agreement or take your ex through the CSA and have up to 25% of their net wages paid to support them.