How much does a single mum with 2 children receive in benefits per year?

meester

msmicawber wrote: »

I'm still not convinced that it's better not to work. From reading this I realise that the amount of financial support given is much better than when I was briefly a single mum on IS, HB & CTB 15 years ago, and that working brings its own costs (not least childcare), but having now come out the other side with an average paid job (19k pro rata of £23k full-time) and no childcare costs, I'm definitely better off. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to get as good a job as I have now if I hadn't worked all those years, albeit assisted with HB and tax credits.

£23k is above average. Median female wage is £397/week

Agreed on the mental health aspects though.

calleyw

shazrobo wrote: »

i'm a single mum of twins, who are nearly 13 years of age, and i would dearly love to go out to work, would love to be able to have adult company.
staying at home is no fun and i'm suffering from depression because of it, i would advice anybody who can work to do it, as living my life is no fun, and its very lonely.
the reason i dont work is my sons have severe disabilities, and often get sent home during the day. i have no family or friends to help out, i got a part time job a couple of years ago, with an employer who was so understanding and flexible, that i was able to leave work as and when i needed to, but if either son was off school for more than one day, there was no way i could make up the hours, and wage was drastically reduced. ended up borrowing so much, that i had to go back onto benefits, to be able to feed and clothe my sons

hope that people understand some that live on benefits genuinly have no choice
shaz

What about doing a few hours in a charity shop while your children are at school. It would allow you to have adult company and get out. As you are not being paid you can keep your benefits.

The few hours you do is worth a lot to the charity. Also it means you can be as flexible as you need.

Yours


Calley

msmicawber

meester wrote: »

£23k is above average. Median female wage is £397/week

I appreciate that, but I earn £19k, not £23k. I was able to get a job that pays well but that allows me all the school holidays off, which I find the best solution. Most term-time only jobs pay rubbish money, and I wouldn't have been in a position to get this job had I been out of the job market and on benefits for years. It's just something I think other single mums should bear in mind when they're taking the decision of whether or not to work as it's not always easy to get back into the job market again after a break, the jobs with the desirable hours for working parents are few and far between and often not well paid.

angie_baby

...............................

Fran

***Boardguide comment***

Hi,

angie_baby wrote: »

It is the people who constantly rob the system.......

If you would like to discuss the lives of other people can you do it on the Discussion board. That way this thread can be used for advice on benefits. Thanks.

angie_baby

Fran wrote: »

***Boardguide comment***

Hi,



If you would like to discuss the lives of other people can you do it on the Discussion board. That way this thread can be used for advice on benefits. Thanks.

Sorry, all i ever do is get these forum rules wrong.

shazrobo

calleyw wrote: »

What about doing a few hours in a charity shop while your children are at school. It would allow you to have adult company and get out. As you are not being paid you can keep your benefits.

The few hours you do is worth a lot to the charity. Also it means you can be as flexible as you need.

Yours


Calley

thanks for that info calley, i will look into it, i thought any kind of work even voluntary would affect benefits, would do me world of good to get out and mix with other adults
shaz

calleyw

shazrobo wrote: »

thanks for that info calley, i will look into it, i thought any kind of work even voluntary would affect benefits, would do me world of good to get out and mix with other adults
shaz

Don't think it does but double check with you local benefits office. As you are not being paid I can't see how it would effect your benefits.

It would get you out and meeting people and having a fun.


Yours


Calley

pingua

As others have said, I would take a while to think about it before making a decision.

I have 3 kids and have flitted in and out of work over the years.

Going to work I found to be 'uplifting' for my sake (thats the only word that springs to mind -lol.)

But, there were times I had to,
miss school plays etc,
take time off to look after one of them whilst they were sick,go to dentist,dr whatever - unpaid,
pay parking everyday
petrol to and from home/school/childminder/work etc
get new work clothes and shoes
pay the childminder even when kid(s) sick and again take time off unpaid
pay childminder if meetings were at odd times

It really was a huge draining juggling act.

Shopping became more expensive as I was not able to go to the various shops to pick up their 'bargains of the week' due to lack of time. I would go to one supermarket and that was that. Back to cook dinner,homework,put the washing on etc etc and the day is done. Same with kids clothes and shoes birthday pressies etc. Instead of going to different shops to see what price was the best/sales etc, I had no time to do this. So just bought the quickest and easiest.
On the otherhand, staying at home CAN be but does not have to be 'depressing' You need to have structure to your day and go and do things - just get out the house!!
Financially, for me it was better to not work - (she says as she has just started working again - lol ) And trying to sort out all the working tax stuff is always a nightmare - never enough time to do this - especially when working!! And when they don't give you correct answers and mess things up it makes you wonder why you bother doing anything!!

joeblack066

Just wanted to point out that the Maternity Grant (£500) is claimable up to 3 months after the babay is born.......ie once you have your tax credit award you can claim it if your award is above £545. My son and his g/f missed it cos we didn't know!