Lone parent needs to quit job.

Bettiboppa

Hi,
I'm after some advice for my sister if anyone can help.
She currently works 16 hours a week as an office cleaner 6pm till 9pm and up until last week had another family member looking after her 10 year old daughter while she was out at work. (I work 2-10 so am unable to help) Now our cousin's shifts have changed she is no longer able to look after her as a favour therefore my sister is stuck between a rock and a hard place, her neighbour has offered a couple of nights this week but it's not going to be a perfect solution.
Question is if she simply quits her job due to childcare issues what will she still (if anything) be entitled to?
She is paid Nmw in her job and claims working and child tax credit, housing and council tax benefit and usually comes out with around £880 a month. Who does she need to speak to other than CAB as she can't get an appointment with them till the end of the month.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

Comms69

Bettiboppa wrote: »

Hi,
I'm after some advice for my sister if anyone can help.
She currently works 16 hours a week as an office cleaner 6pm till 9pm and up until last week had another family member looking after her 10 year old daughter while she was out at work. (I work 2-10 so am unable to help) Now our cousin's shifts have changed she is no longer able to look after her as a favour therefore my sister is stuck between a rock and a hard place, her neighbour has offered a couple of nights this week but it's not going to be a perfect solution.
Question is if she simply quits her job due to childcare issues what will she still (if anything) be entitled to?
She is paid Nmw in her job and claims working and child tax credit, housing and council tax benefit and usually comes out with around £880 a month. Who does she need to speak to other than CAB as she can't get an appointment with them till the end of the month.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

Can she not trust said 10 year old for a few hours?

Toomuchdebt

I wouldn't trust my almost 10 year old alone for a few hours especially in the evening.

Bettiboppa

Definitely not, maybe if she was 14/15 but at 10 no way

Comms69

Toomuchdebt wrote: »

I wouldn't trust my almost 10 year old alone for a few hours especially in the evening.

Bettiboppa wrote: »

Definitely not, maybe if she was 14/15 but at 10 no way

Really? 14/15?!


My 11 year old would be fine for a full day. Yes he'd eat junk food and play video games, but he'd be fine.


Just need check on him occasionally by phone

pmlindyloo

The first thing she needs to do is check if she is in a full service Universal Credit area.

Use this link:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/Check-if-youre-eligible-for-Universal-Credit/

If she is then she will have to apply for Universal Credit.

Otherwise she can apply for JSA. I doubt if she would be sanctioned for leaving her job under the circumstances.

Of course the best option is to find a day job which fits around child care and school.

TELLIT01

Comms69 wrote: »

Can she not trust said 10 year old for a few hours?

Although there is no legal minimum age for leaving a child at home on their own (possibly surprisingly), the NSPCC advises against leaving any child under 12 alone. If the child did hurt themself in some way the parent could be prosecuted for putting them at risk.

poppy12345

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Otherwise she can apply for Income Support as a lone parent.

That won't be possible unless the OP has a child under 5 surely?

poppy12345

https://www.gov.uk/law-on-leaving-your-child-home-alone

Comms69

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Although there is no legal minimum age for leaving a child at home on their own (possibly surprisingly), the NSPCC advises against leaving any child under 12 alone. If the child did hurt themself in some way the parent could be prosecuted for putting them at risk.

That's scare mongering.


Each child is different and each parent needs to make that choice themselves.

pmlindyloo

poppy12345 wrote: »

That won't be possible unless the OP has a child under 5 surely?

Quite right! Having a 'dizzy' moment :rotfl:

Have edited my post.