Want to work!

[Bbbbbbbb2017]

I am a very lone parent of an ASD 3 year old and a 13 month old. I had to go on benefits as my last job was 5am starts, and included weekends which i had no childcare for.

Wanted toapply for a job that was £16.8k (14k after tax). Worked out my childcare including the free 30 hours is £18k a year. Which obviously put me at a loss of £4000 a year.

Did the entitled to calculator which showed i would receive more in universal credits than i already do by about £100 a month which still leaves me on the negative by £200 a month. Add on all the extras like suddenly being illegiable for legal aid for the court case against kids dad, loss of healthy start vouchers and my prescriptions and im well in to the minus.

I feelcompletely trapped and also slightly bemused that by working i would actually receive more in benefits.

I cant live off less than what i am now, its already a squeeze so i feel completely trapped.

How do i get myself unstuck?

[CazY777]

That seems like a huge amount in childcare costs, are you in the south east by any chance? Is that for a nursery, can you look into a childminder instead? Otherwise all I can suggest is looking for a higher paid job, which I know is much easier said than done.

[wowbutter]

Would your three year old not qualify for the free hours funding?

[Pickleypickles]

But universal credit will give you 85% of childcare or up to around £1000 for 2 children, how can there still be that much of a shortfall?
I think you have done some maths wrong somewhere.
Universal credit they work out like everyone is entitled to the same (i cant remeber exact figures and dont know if its different north to south) so its
x amount for living
x amount housing
X amount for children
x amount for childcare
And then you lose 63p of the total amount for every pound you earn after the first £192 does that really only leave you woth £100 UC ?
Could you find a cheaper nursery?

[Bbbbbbbb2017]

That was including her funding. I have had to be quite careful over where i place her because of the ASD which means practically wise brother would have to attend too. 50 hours a week for him is £275 and for her it averages out at £150 a week. I am in the south which doesnt help.

[Bbbbbbbb2017]

Currently i received £16000 a year in benefits (not taking into account the legal aid im receiving or the healthy start which is £50 a month) so approx £1400 a month.

Working my pay would be £1400
My child care would be £1645 because i would spread the 30 hours over the 50 weeks payable a year
I would then receive £1500 in universal credit but also lose my legal aid which is crucial right now and also the vouchers and my presceptions which make a difference too. So im down on what im receiving not working and i cant afford to be down :(

[Bbbbbbbb2017]

My nursery is also one of the cheaper ones, granted its not the cheapest but the cheapest when i viewed would have been a recipe for disaster with my 3 year old. Its also not the mosr expensive which can approach £75 a day each :|

[Standingcat]

Get the court case done and then reconsider your position?

[CazY777]

I think you need to wait until the court case is over. And once your youngest is 2 you can get 15 hours a week nursery which would help.

[Bbbbbbbb2017]

I'M just so done beinf mum 24/7, my work was what kept me sane and its killing me just being me and kids all day and night day in day out I need something to think about other than poo and meltdowns.

I think court will take a year or so but i also cant afford to work so its catch 22

[TwoBlueFish]

If you give Contact (formerly Contact A Familf) they’ll do a full benefit check for you and give advice on your situation contact.org.uk/our-helpline/

Have you applied for DLA for your daughter?

[CazY777]

I know how that feels OP, I also want to work and am bored of being at home. I'm not a single parent but for various reasons to do with my husband's disability it's difficult for me to get a job at the moment.
Maybe look at it as short term, you will get a job again when you can. Are there any online courses you could do in the evenings to keep your mind active?

[SpearmintTea]

Could you work part time? Maximise use of the free childcare hours and find the number of hours you can work that would give you maximum income?

[DontKnowWhatToDo123]

Its hard been a sahm at times, I remember being so lonely at times I wanted to scream.
In the short term I think you are best off staying at home, getting the court case done and dusted and then rethink.

Are there some toddler groups, or support group for families with asd? time out of the house will do you good. Sure start are good for getting information and help.

There are some college courses that do free childcare along with them.... the college I went to had one attached to it, others pay for children to go to a local nursery for so long.... maybe give your local college a call, it will get you out of the house and meeting people and an extra course on your cv will look good when you come to get a job.

good luck op, and hope you feel more positive reading some of the replies on here x x x x

[Babbitywabbit]

It’s shit, not least because although universal credit may be giving you more ‘money in your pocket’ now, it’s doing nothing to secure your future. Although it’s hard to visualise now, there will be a point in the future when childcare costs drop, and then eventually your children will be adults. The way to secure your future is by working, preferably in a field where there is scope for progression, and also where you’re paying into a pension. A major crisis is brewing, whereby people who have relied on benefits or tax credits for years will find themselves living out their later years in poverty.... the message is coming across strongly already that people should be making their own pension provision because state provision is so rubbish (and I predict pensionable age will continue to rise and we may even see the state pension disappear.)
It’s shit though if you can’t afford to work now, because you can’t do the one thing you need to do for your long term well being.

You may need to wait for the court case to be over... not good for your emotional health or financial health long term though.