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Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Lone parents

Working part time and tax credits - dilemma. Any advice please?

15 replies

Janos · 12/10/2008 16:59

Here's my situation.

I work full time and care for my DS. I don't see him nearly as much as I would like.

In amongst all this I attempting to have one of those things called a life...you know how it is!

Anyway, I am lucky enough to have a job that is ok, not fabulous pay, but secure and family friendly.

Thing is, I need every penny I get. I get tax credits for childcare (essential), but if I reduce my hours I would be able to get WTC (earn just enough NOT to get it right now working full time).

This would leave me with more time to spend with my son and get errands run etc, plus a little me time.

Of course this will affect my career propects. My job is OK but I don't want to do it forever.

What to do - has anyone any experience of this? Any helpful words of advice?

Thanks.

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Janos · 12/10/2008 17:50

Anyone? Should this be in another topic? Ta.

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TheOriginalXENA · 12/10/2008 17:53

have you looked at their site? put in what your new details would be and they will tell you what you would be intitled to for the last 25? weeks of the finacial year.

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Janos · 12/10/2008 17:58

I've been on entitledto.com but not the actual tax credits site (D'uh).

Will try it now, thanks TOX.

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LRB978 · 12/10/2008 18:01

Hey

Just want you to know you're not alone.
I was working full time, a new temp job. I lasted 3 weeks before dropping an hour a day. I now work 8.30-4 instead of til 5 and it does make all the difference, I found. It shouldnt vastly affect your career prospects, although that depends on your job and the amount of time you drop. Another possibilty your employer may go for is creating a job share in your role. This would ,however, drop your hours and thus your wages dramatically.

Oh, and as for errands - how do you shop? I have recently started food shopping online and found that the time and stress I save on more than outweigh the £5 delivery charge.

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CarGirl · 12/10/2008 18:05

If you drop to 30 hours you may get some help, again if you drop to 16 hours you will def get help but not sure whether you can afford to live on it?

Basically you get one level of assistance if you work 16 hours per week and an extra level if you work 30 hours per week. with either you may be eligible for help with your childcare costs.

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Janos · 12/10/2008 18:08

I already do the shopping online thing LRB978, it's an absolute godsend isn't it?

It's the wages dropping thing I'm most concerned about.

According to the tax credits page, I wouldn't get that much more.

I'm so tired...what I really want is just an extra bit of time!

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CarGirl · 12/10/2008 18:10

Do you rent your home if so you may then become eligible for some housing benefit and council tax benefit?

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Janos · 12/10/2008 18:13

I do rent CarGirl, currently I earn too much to qualify for HB (which is really not that much).

I don't need huge amounts of money..just enough to live on and buy food really.

Only CT benefit I get is the single person discount.

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CarGirl · 12/10/2008 18:19

have you checked if your income goes down whether you will then become entitled to some HB? I got HB 8 years ago when my income was around £14k per year and my rent £750 per month.

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Janos · 12/10/2008 20:32

I checked on entitledto.com and I do get housing benefit if my income goes down..but only by £3 per week!

Does anyone know, is the level of support you get higher if you work 30 or 29 hrs per week? or would it not make a difference? I tried entering data for each but can't see a significant difference.

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CarGirl · 12/10/2008 21:02

30 hours counts as full time for tax credit purposes

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taken4granted · 16/10/2008 20:31

how do you find out about housing benefit anyone?

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sweeneytodd · 16/10/2008 20:36

you have to work 16 hours or more a week to be entitled to the childcare element but working over 30 hours entitles you to extra money

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travellingcircus · 16/10/2008 23:03

I work part time 22.5 hrs per week and get nearly 700 per month- have 3 under 6. Not sure about HB? With regard to career prospects (training to become an accountant) wanted to go full time but really torn between then not having enough time with the kids. Have decided to look into University funding for next September. Great holidays etc. and a degree for the career to boot. Plus I then get to go full time when the kids are older and more 'ready'. Course if you already have a degree, this won't be much use- just a thought x