Benefits- am I wrong?

Vikkie

Hey I'm a mother of 2 and a wife. From the age of 16 I had a job which I loved and carried on until I got pregnant. I took some time off and then went back back with the cost of a car and childcare ether me or my husband had to stop working( we spoke to the council and they wanted us both to give up for more money) in the end we worked out if I stopped working my min wage job we would have more money then if I worked (something's wrong there) I started evening classes and had my second baby (I'm done now) and now studying part time (thought I could make the most while I'm full time mum) now I'm struggling as I need to work/ volunteer to practice for my coarse but I CAN'T AFFORD TO WORK until my kids are in school. I hate it because I feel like a benefit scrounger. I don't smoke or go to the pub or even have a date night I can't afford it. This post is probably confusing and doesn't say what I want I just need to rant

welshmoneylover

Vikkie wrote: »

Hey I'm a mother of 2 and a wife. From the age of 16 I had a job which I loved and carried on until I got pregnant. I took some time off and then went back back with the cost of a car and childcare ether me or my husband had to stop working( we spoke to the council and they wanted us both to give up for more money) in the end we worked out if I stopped working my min wage job we would have more money then if I worked (something's wrong there) I started evening classes and had my second baby (I'm done now) and now studying part time (thought I could make the most while I'm full time mum) now I'm struggling as I need to work/ volunteer to practice for my coarse but I CAN'T AFFORD TO WORK until my kids are in school. I hate it because I feel like a benefit scrounger. I don't smoke or go to the pub or even have a date night I can't afford it. This post is probably confusing and doesn't say what I want I just need to rant

What is you're question?

Vikkie

I'm not sure am I wrong for being on benifits or am I missing somthing that I can do to go back to work

princessdon

Do you get tax credits, what is your OH income.

Vikkie

I get child and little work tax. He's on about 17

princessdon

Then as long as you work 16 hours a week you'll get help with childcare. All mothers face this, I worked for under £1.50 ph for years (I didn't have the luxury of tax credits, so I either lost whole income or got virtually nothing in wages).

Do the calculators and see what help with childcare you will be given.

However if you need volunteer/ placement hours your college can provide these.

Vikkie

My college doesn't provided it, it's up to me. All the online info into childcare I find to be incorrect and I've gone to citizens advice and the council both cant give me a answer. Earning 1.50 ph would be fine but I would be losing my benifits aswel so I will be at a lose. I know a lot of mothers go through it. It just feels like a trap

princessdon

Vikkie wrote: »

My college doesn't provided it, it's up to me. All the online info into childcare I find to be incorrect and I've gone to citizens advice and the council both cant give me a answer. Earning 1.50 ph would be fine but I would be losing my benifits aswel so I will be at a lose. I know a lot of mothers go through it. It just feels like a trap

There isn't much support for married/together couples, and I believe that tax credits are partly to blame, as they create this situation, it was easier for me, no tax credits so its low wage or nothing. What course is it? Can your local children's centre help? Do you have a childcare swapper? Example, you look after their child on a Monday, they return the favour on a Wednesday.

Vikkie

Never heard of a child swapper I'm from a little village so I may suggest it to some people. It's British sign language so it's about getting out meeting people.

princessdon

Vikkie wrote: »

Never heard of a child swapper I'm from a little village so I may suggest it to some people. It's British sign language so it's about getting out meeting people.

Then definitely contact your children's centre, many have a crèche and if you sign up to volunteer (they often have deaf children so your skills would be appreciated), you get free childcare. Otherwise look into deaf clubs that run in the evening/weekend around hubby's work.

Vikkie

Thanks I will look. Yea I go to deaf clubs (the ones that allow students) but there not to often. I think your right about the tax credits it does make it harder o well hopfully in a few years time benifits will be in my past