I may just have lost my dp's help aaagggghhhhhh

[Jimjams]

Trainee SALT with 10 years experience as a nanny was going to help me for 18 hours a week over the hols- paid for by direct payments. Ideal person obviously. But the tax is a nightmare (because she has children so receives tax credits). The very helpful man at the tax credit office has told her its not worth doing the job as she risks losing all her tax credits. Aaagghhhh what is the point of SS funding direct payments if people then can't work as they end up worser off.

Honestly they have no suitable playschemes for my son, no respite, and now they make it impossible to employ an ideal person using funding from social services.

Luckily she is still keen (despite tax credit office man) and is trying to find out whether or not she can do it without being penalised. No-one seems to know.

[Jimjams]

worser? worse obviously.

[Jimjams]

So another holiday looms (luckily lovely mumsnetter is giving me 3 sessions for ds1). But this time with 3 children- to of whom require full attention.

[Jimjams]

two not to.

[oliveoil]

Pay her in cash? Sorry am bit ignorant on direct payments, does that mean you pay or the social pay?

[JakB]

Oh God, Jimjams. I take it you mean your DS's help?! I really don't know what to suggest. Surely it can't make that much difference if it's only for a 6 week stint? I hope somebody comes on here with better advice. Sending positive vibes that you sort it out.

[Jimjams]

yeah I meant dp's as in direct payments.

Can't OliveOil- it's social services money and therefore fully accountable.

[Jimjams]

Shall I throw myself off that bridge now, or wait until the holiday has started? Thank f ds2 can carry on with nursery.

[JakB]

I'm thinking she may still go for it as won't be any worse off and gets invaluable experience towards her SALT training? (she says, hopefully).

[oliveoil]

Would she risk losing the money only for those 6 weeks or would she have to reapply completely? Can understand reticence if reapply, nightmare.

[Jimjams]

No- problem is- she would be worse off- she would be unable to pay the mortgage worse off. Bloody ridiculous.

Stupid thing is she's really keen, and reliable and perfect- but obviously she can't work if she'll be worse off.

[Blu]

Ooooh, Jimjams, I can only ad my voice to the collective growl of frustration and fury. This is MADNESS.

Advertise for someone else NOW?

[Jimjams]

I need some wine.

[aloha]

It's a real trap for people with morgages. My friend is a single mother who was basically told not to get a job as she would be much worse off because if she was renting, benefits would cover her rent, but this doesn't apply to mortgages. And no, she can't sell up and go into rented accommodation and get benefits as the money from her flat would have to be all used up first! It's a nightmare.

[SoupDragon]

Why will she lose the tax credits?

[Davros]

If its not possible to pay HER with the DPs can you pay her in cash and use the DPs to pay someone else, e.g. the cleaner, babysitter, ANYONE??!! Just so you are still not out-of-pocket, the DPs are used and you can still use the person you want. It would need to be someone willing to go through the process of being employed just for that part of their work. This is basically what I do. I pay the p/t nanny/babysitter with DPs and pay CIH to the girl who takes DS out and helps me directly with him. Sorry not much help!

[Fio2]

fudging nightmare :9

i hate all this. i cant understand why kids who are NT have so much provision in holidays (sorry to be crass, i know this will upset people) and people who need the help most get none. its disgusting and tbh yes I asm coping but only just, its a nightmsare

[WideWebWitch]

Oh sorry Jimjams, I hoped this wouldn't be you. What a pita to put it far too mildly.

[Davros]

Yes, you'd think that with the DPs Jimjams would be all set, it does stink
Problem is, even if you use the DPs to pay someone else it has to be 18 hours worth! Any chance of the ABA tutor going on DPs and doing more hours? OR any other possibilities, students who want holiday work and wouldn't have to pay tax, even if they earn 18hrs DPs.......

[Fio2]

it does all stink. the woman from the respite said to me but surely you have made frineds now who will help you out????!!!


and I replied, well yes I have made quite a few but they all have special needs children theirselves how on earth can we help each other out apart from sitting of an eveing very very occasionally?! oh and offloading emotions

[Jimjams]

ABA tutor has got a job as an assistant psychologist at an NAS hospital so she finishes beginning of August. Am I up sh**creek without a paddle? Hmm may well be.

ROFL at your respite worker - oh yes we just have LOADS of friends wiithout kids with SN all fighting to help out!

[Jimjams]

No idea why she will lose the tax credits- but that's what the tax credit bloke said- he seemed to hint tat unless she worked cash in hand it wouldn't be worth it. And of course she can't work cash in hand as its SS and we can't afford it from our own pocket any more,

[Jimjams]

And yes I agree Fio- the people who need it most can't get it. Most of the SN funding for hols here goes on asllowing children with sn to access mainstream playschemes- completely unsuitable for a child like ds1- so we get nothing.

[SoupDragon]

Makes no sense to me about the tax credits. BIzarre and a complete pain in the ar$e.

[Davros]

Has anyone double checked, just to make sure he knows what he's talking about? Clutching at straws...

[ScummyMummy]

Are you sure? I thought it was impossible to be worse off if you were working?