Home ed and benefits

[Lexiejack]

I really want to home ed my kids who currently are 2 and 1. DS attends nursery 3 days but is a bit of a handful (mild understatement) he hits, bites and is very defiant at home. At nursery he bites and plays up but it's his nan that runs it so he seems quite happy if a bit overwhelmed (routine at nursery changes, lots of other kids). Basically im wondering if anybody is on benefits and how u make home ed work for u in that situation? I'm doing my history degree through the OU so was considering tutoring as a way of income but apart from that I'm at a loss. I want to work but I also want my kids to have a decent education that fits them as individuals.

[FionaJNicholson]

Hi

I have some information about the benefits system here edyourself.org/articles/jobseekers.php

Are you a lone parent?

[Lexiejack]

Yes I'm a lone parent on income support.

[FionaJNicholson]

Ah OK. Well, from April 2012 when youngest child reaches 5 for lone parent will cease to be eligible for IS solely on the grounds of being a lone parent. From 2013/14 the Government plans to introduce Universal Credit which will replace all current means-tested benefits into a single integrated payment (also includes Housing Benefit)

Some home educators are on a form of Jobseeker's Allowance which is specially modified for lone parents. You have to agree to look for work of 16 hours a week or more and sign on once a fortnight in person (or by post if you live more than hour away from JobCentre)

Some home educators are in employment (or self-employment) of 16 hours a week or more and claim Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit as well as Housing Benefit and Child Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and reimbursement for around 3/4 of childcare costs (including during school hours)

The idea behind Universal Credit is "to make work pay" with more in-work benefits for mini-jobs and more intervention for claimants who remain on benefits without doing any paid work.

As above edyourself.org/articles/jobseekers.php