New single parent, what am I entitled to or 'may' apply for?

[mummytowillow]

I'm currently living with my parents, I've got one daughter who is 2, husband is giving me £280 a month which I'm happy with. I want to find my own place, I have something in mind its £550 a month plus bills etc.

I have just got myself a job, 30 hours for £16,000 a year, I have to travel 30 miles each way to get there and my daughter will go to nursery two days a week at a cost of £70 and my parents will have her for two days. I have no savings and no debts, so my question is what can I apply for?

Housing Benefit, tax credits? I haven't a clue really? Will I actually qualify for anything and can anyone give a guesstimate of what I might get?

I'm currently receiving income support and child benefit nothing else until I start my job next month?

[oldraver]

You should get some tax credits and help with childcare possibly housing benefit

check out

www.entitledto.co.uk/

[oldraver]

I've just run through entitled to quickly and it came up with

Child Tax Credit..£53.01

Working Tax Credit..£71.06

Housing Benefit...£35.01

I'm not sure how the WTC works so dont know i fthta figure includes the childcare element

[mummytowillow]

Thanks Raver, thats really kind of you, need to fill the dreaded forms in now!!

[thesouthsbelle]

alo see if you can apply for the 'run on' for your IS, ie they'll keep paying you income support for an extra 4 weeks while your first pay slip comes thru. how long have oyu been on IS? you might also get in work credits for £40 per week if on it for over a year, plus also £250 back to work grant. (over 6 months) your LP advisor should be able to give you a break down. I found mine surprisingly accurate.

[oldraver]

Dont forget to apply for council tax discount. At £16,000 you wont get a tax credits exemption certificate or healthy eating vouchers but if you salary is a bit under that, tax credits should send you the forms

[dani41]

Hi, I'm getting working and child tax credits of £121 per week. My earnings are less then £6000 per annum, but I do have £13000 in savings (from my divorce settlement). Am I still entitled to tax credits? There was no question about savings on the form. Also am I entitled to housing benefit and will they ask about my savings?

[oldraver]

Have a look at Entitled to. I'm sure they ask about savings over £6000 in connection with Housing Benefit. Or just ask the Housing Benefit/tax credits people direct