Universal Credit... concerned

baffledmom

anyway, Dori02, ive taken up on your question. sorry about that.

Hope you get the answer your looking for.
:-)

benefitbaby

If the roles were reversed and you were on £33k and he was on £8k would you offer up the CTC and CB and pay maintenance?

The issue is not how much he's got, but how to increase what you have.

As your entitlement to CTC has been adjudicated there are no other benefits available your only option to increase income is work or self-employment, plus claming WTC and help with childcare costs.

baffledmom

actually I would not of wasted 40k of money in the courts, I would of put that into savings for my children for their future. I would also if I was the bigger earner and was financially sorted and the split was mutual and mature, been happy to sign over both child benefit and ctc to make sure that parent was not in financial hardship.
And my ex brother in law, does exactly so with his ex wife.

Just some have an axe to grind.

I can not claim WTC or Childcare costs for the child I dont get child benefit for or CTC and I dont get maintenance, never have.
How do I increase my income without being screwed by childcare costs!

But can you answer me how the universal credit will work, as this is replacing it.

ohh forgot to add, if I had chosen my career (job) over seeing my children grow up, I would be paying my ex child support.

benefitbaby

UC will work in exactly the same way as now it looks at who is in your household and awards entitlement based on this. One child is in your household so UC will be based on lone parent and 1 child.

Regarding you question "how do I increase my income without being screwed by childcare costs!"
If you had a job from 9-3 Monday to Friday when the kids are in school you would reach the 30 hour threshold for WTC entitlement, school hols would be a problem (as they are for most) and you would have to pay the childcare during your 50% of the week... what about a job in a school? How old is your teen can she she look after her brother for some pocket money? Family/friends? Work from home?

I appreciate that times are currently difficult but as lone parents we are very creative at coming up with solutions.

baffledmom

I used to work a 54hr week before life took a big stumble.

I live in a small town, I wish to keep my travelling cost down as this too is a cost 40miles from a city. She is 13, I could not ask my 13yo to look after her brother for 35hrs a week. And where I live there are no childcare facilities for children 12+, something that is very lacking in this country.
I have many times asked their dad to have them but it is his time with his family, the tax office even told me to ask dad to claim for childcare costs, he wont.
Plus I want to spend quality time with my children, I only have them half the time, not grabbing odd hours before their off to bed. I did this before and I paid for it.

My family is 200+miles away, I am alone.

Ideally working the days I dont have them and into half a day I have would be ideal, just finding that opening.

I have looked into term time only and asked my ex to swap the summer holidays around, which he wont, as majority require you to return to work last two weeks of the holidays, which is when I have my two.

The only other option I have is relocating and just seeing kids holidays only and other weekend or just take any job until youngest is old enough to let himself in after school.
My 13yo is 16 few years so it will all stop.

If im totally honest I find the benefit system soul destroying, when I visit the job centre, I see same groups walk in, chat to staff like their at a family wedding, sign and their off.
While I stress as finding work and applying with minimum financial hardship allround.

When really Cameron should be pushing for better flexiable working policies and quality affordable childcare and childcare for U14. My best interests is my children.
For example I had an interview with a well know insurance company who advertised flexiable hours, when in interview I was asked if working Saturdays and Sunday evenings would be a problem. When I replied I was interested in midweek part time flexiable due to family but was able to do 2 weekends in a month, to be told they know longer had those shifts everyone has to work weekends with two days off midweek.

But il get there.

Horseunderwater

WTC is not dependent on the child - but rather you the parent and how much you earn along with how many hours. For a lone parent that is 16 per week minimum. So by my rough reckoning you should be getting approx £3222.20 / year in WTC at least for this year. You are due what is called basic element and lone parent element = £3870 less taper of £647.80 - so that should be around £61.97/week WTC. If you're not getting that much then something is not right. And that is without adding in child care allowance if you could get it. If you are in rented housing then you should be getting housing benefit and definitely more than 60% council tax benefit too. Something somewhere is not correct. Also suggest you go get that double checked. The latter 2 should be purely based on your income with one dependent child. Are you claiming free school meals for the child you have responsibility for? If not why not. Hopefully some of this information will help you a little.

bestpud

I'm not sure why working in a school isn't possible.

You'd only need to find childcare for 2 weeks as opposed to 6 in the summer holidays and you'd find it much easier the rest of the year! I know it's hard but don't get so ground down that you can't see the wood for the trees.

Apart from childcare you should be able to manage as you only have the children for half the week. That's pretty much the same amount of food etc as having one child all week, which is what you receive benefits for.

I presume you share the cost of clothes, shoes and school related things?

Your problems will really start when your daughter is too old for child related benefits so I think your best bet is to find work in a school or other term time work.

baffledmom

Housing allowance in the area I am in for 2bed is £107pw my rent is £160pw due to the area. The new council tax is I pay 40% towards it house is in band E.
And I am in a cheap rent due to others in the area. I have considered 1bedroom large flat, I have the living area, kids have bedroom. Which lowers the rent by £100-150 per month.

Yes I get a free school meal allowance for the child then have to top up weekly on her meal card, I dont for the youngest.

I have my children the last 3 weeks of the summer, meaning I would have to find childcare for the youngest for the last two weeks which in my area is based on 5 day per week full days regardless of part time because, if children are not picked up before lunch session starts or dropped off you have to pay full day, £185 for 1 child pw.
But I have only 3 schools within easy travelling distance (dont drive) and presently no positions, I have covered this, I actuallly live next door to deputy head, who I am friends with and always lets me know anything he hears of.

Ive have contacted my solicitor regarding guidelines of the area, I can live within. The judge stated I live within the Kingsbridge area(EXAMPLE do not wish to disclose my actual town), even though currently in a village outskirts due to keeping the kids at their school, so asked to see if extend to South Hams district moving to a cheaper area and changing schools could be one factor but do I really wish to upset schools for the children.

No, we dont share the cost of things, it's me who buys all their school stuff. They have their own clothes at mine.
Food wise, one of the children is Diabetic, vegitarian and gluten free.
So food costs does not reflect having one child.
Everything coming in is budgeted. I dont have luxuries, apart from netbook for kids to work off and my phone.

My worry is not having enough to cover the rent & council tax and all bills.
But think I have to move, it's the only way it willl work, however this was the reason why my ex took me to court as I wanted to move away for work.

Thank you for all your replies.