Need to leave my job :(

dora87

I have a 8 month old little boy, I am a single parent, I have started a claim via the CSA for maintenance as the father (listed on the birth certificate) was refusing to pay anything towards my childs upkeep.

I have been back at work since my child was 6 months old as I couldn't afford to stay off any longer. I have requested a change in working hours as I work strange shifts, and this has been rejected. I am currently off sick for anxiety following me having several panic attacks at work due to issues with other members of staff.

My father was helping out with childcare, but he has now taken on a new contract and will not be avaliable at the times he was before.

I currently am only entitled to child benefit, due to receiving inheritance from a dead relative. I plan to use this money to purchase a 50% share of a property via the share ownership scheme - I have viewed the place, made an offer, had the offer accepted and my solicitor today received the paperwork from the vendors solicitors. We should be completing on the 20th September.


I don't see how I will be able to remain in my current job role, with the hours I work, as I can't get childcare for the times that I require.

I have been applying for part time jobs within the area I live in since my son was born, all of which are during 9am-5pm as I have found a childminder who will be able to have him during these times. She has been really helpful and has said that as long as I send him to her one day a week she will keep the place open so she can have him any of the 5 days when I am sorted with a job etc.

I have also been offered a place on a course at the local college for 1 day a week (I have the qualification to level 3 and wish to complete the final level 4) I would fund this course from the inheritance I was left also.

As I feel that I can not return to work, due to the hours etc. would I be entitled to claim anything once the purchase of the 50% share of the property has been completed. I will be left with a small amount of the inheritance, which if needed I could live on for a while, but will not last more than 6 months I would say.

All I get at the moment is child benefit.

GwylimT

This is tricky, have you recently applied for means tested benefits? If so it could be considered that you have spent your money to take advantage of the benefit system.

Will you be renting the remaining 50% of the property? If so how will you pay the rent if you don't have an income?

dora87

I have not applied for any kind of benefit since January of this year when I applied for child benefit for my son.

I have never claimed anything before that.

The rent works out at £163 per month and then obviously I will have bills to pay aswell. My parents have stated they will help me as much as they can whilst I get sorted.


I do not really wish to give up my job until I have something new to go to, but at the same time I can't get the childcare I require for the shifts I am supposed to work.

GwylimT

Childcare can be a pain the bum.

If you leave your job you do have to wait a short while before claiming JSA, I don't know if this would effect things like tax credits but I'm sure someone on here will be able to help you.

dora87

I don't get tax credits anyway at the moment.

I knew I was expecting the inheritance so I didn't claim them as I knew the inheritance would effect them too. I thought it was less hassle to not claim at all then to claim and the cancel if that makes sense.

Helpmeoutofthismess

dora87 wrote: »

I don't get tax credits anyway at the moment.

I knew I was expecting the inheritance so I didn't claim them as I knew the inheritance would effect them too. I thought it was less hassle to not claim at all then to claim and the cancel if that makes sense.

You can claim tax credits even if you have savings, you have to declare any interest over £300 per annum but you may still get some especially if you work at least 16 hours a week and pay childcare.

I would get the claim form in ASAP, they only back date by one month

dora87

I was told I wouldn't get tax credits due to the amount of money I currently have in the bank

Upsidedown_Bear

dora87 wrote: »

I was told I wouldn't get tax credits due to the amount of money I currently have in the bank

Capital is not usually taken into account for tax credits.
See page 22 here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/wtc2.pdf

pmlindyloo

Because of the possible deprivation of capital issue (hopefully someone could confirm whether buying your house would be seen as such) then yourbestcourse of action would be to find apart time job and claim tax credits.

As a single parent you only need to work 16 hours per week to claim working tax credits. You are also eligible for child tax credits.


As already said you should be claiming child tax credit now as only income over £300 pa from your savings is taken into account.


The other way is to claim Income Support as your child is under 5years old.


However, this is means tested and your using the inherited money to buy a house may be seen as deprivation of capital. Ditto with housing benefit and council tax benefit. Hopefully someone who knows more about this can comment.


Your child support is not counted as regards any benefits.


If you can manage for 6 months on your savings then claims for IS, HB and CTB may be looked on more favourably as you obviously bought your house whilst you had a full time job and with no intention of claiming benefits.


Hopefully others will comment.

Helpmeoutofthismess

:eek, I'd say lucky you but I would imagine you would rather have the relative back!

Have you tried running you details through entitledto.co.uk ? Income support / housing benefit ect you wouldn't be able to claim with more than £16000 in the bank but tax credits are a bit different.

H x

mothershipton

GwylimT wrote: »

This is tricky, have you recently applied for means tested benefits? If so it could be considered that you have spent your money to take advantage of the benefit system.

Will you be renting the remaining 50% of the property? If so how will you pay the rent if you don't have an income?

I think spending money to buy a house is ok, my brother works at the job centre and was trying to get my other brother to do this with his inheritance.

If the op doesnt have much left over for rent this may be paid for by the DWP?

I think you may be best going to the CAB for some better advice though