AREYOU A SINGLE MOM

[Dawn2820]

DO YOU WORK?

WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU RECEIVE?

Both welcome if you work and are single or dont work and are single - thanks for your help xx

[tortoise]

Im a single mum of 4.
I don't work.
I get Income support and child tax credits.

[Dawn2820]

Do you claim housing benefit?

[Durdle]

should have posted on this one.........been single mum for 4 years, work 35 hrs a week, claim housing benefit.

[mamama]

Yes, single mum. Work part time, mainly from home. No benefits (live overseas).

[Dawn2820]

what criteria did you meet to get the benefits, how many children do you have?

[Durdle]

Housing benefit is means tested so they will look at your income and then work out your benefit. What do you need to know? (speaking as a support worker who did a days training on housing benefit on Friday!)

[Dawn2820]

i am single, live on my own.

work full time at the moment, really dont want to when baby is here, need to know what i can claim to make an informed decision as to what to do ie go back to work or not when baby is here

[tortoise]

Yes i get housing and council tax benifits too.
Its a Housing Association property.

[Durdle]

Will you not get Maternity leave and pay from your work?

[Pinkchampagne]

I am a single mum of two. I work 20 hours a week, and receive child tax credits but no other benefits.

[Dawn2820]

yes i will but i need to know for long term

[persephonesnape]

I am a single mum of three. i work full time 37 hours a week i have no time to do anything at all. i receive child tax credit. i expect an early grave.

[Durdle]

You would be entitled to Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Child benefit and Housing Benefit (if on a low income and eligible to pay rent, not mortgage). Must warn you though that this is not much money and most people I support living on benefits are in debt to some extent.

[MotherFunk]

Message withdrawn

[Durdle]

persephonesnape I feel a bit like that today and I only have the one! Totally sympathise.

[Dawn2820]

so whats the best way of looking at my options

[allgonebellyup]

persephone are you ok?
i days where i just want to curl up and die but you have to carry on dont you?
you sound v low, can you cut back your hours at all?

[Durdle]

I would say look at your employment now and if it would be feasible to carry on with childcare once your maternity leave is up or consider alternatives. What are your thoughts on baby going to nursery or childminder?

[JoMa]

I am a single Mum. I have 2 ds', I work 20 hrs. I get Working and Child Tax credit, and 80% of childcare paid.

[Dawn2820]

JOMA

do you claim housing as well

[Dawn2820]

i really would like to look after my child instead of someone i dont know

[MotherFunk]

Message withdrawn

[JoMa]

i don't, cos they told me i wasn't entitled while i was on Mat leave, but having just looked at entitledto.com i think i should be so will be filling out forms tomorrow!

[Durdle]

JoMa if you are entitled and you haven't been claiming you should be able to get it backdated.

[Dawn2820]

thats why i need to find outt he options available if i dont work- like a mine field to me