Redundancy and Tax Credits/Income Support

RCH6626 wrote: »

I am a single parent currnetly working and getting tax credits. I am being made redundant at the end of March, and was wondering if I need to declare my redundancy payment (under 30K) to tax credits as earnings?

Also, if I can't find another job and use my redundancy to pay my debts would I still be eligable for income support?

I'm not sure if the same principles apply to a single parent as for a couple but only today i was told that when your jobs ends, then you would have to phone HMRC who deal with tax credits. This means that your working tax credits will go down or be stopped but your child tax credits may go up.
As for your redundancy pay, if you have worked at your place of employment for more than 2 years, you get 1 weeks wages per year, for example 2 years working for them = 2 weeks worth of redundancy and so on. I believe if this adds up to more than £5500 then i am not sure if this would be classed as an income and therefore affect your income support.
I must stress that it is quite possible that there are different regulations when it comes to single parents and would recommend speaking to your local jobcentre or go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_4016805
and see what you may be entitled to and get some advice.
All the best....Devilchef