Should I apply for another temporary role?

[helpmemakemymindup]

I've name changed for this one as I'm not sure if I'll be shouted down. But needed other people's opinions and Mumsnet has helped me in the past.

Okay so I'm a LP with 2 DC. One pre-teen and one pre-school.

I have been seconded to a project within my organisation for the last 2 years with additional hours on top of my substantive 0.5 FTE post. I've enjoyed it but the project is either ending in March or may be extended for another year.

Tbh it's increasing my anxiety not knowing how much pay I will expect to receive beyond March. I've asked for more clarity but the silence around the subject is deafening.

I recently applied for another full time permanent role but wasn't shortlisted. The exact same role has been advertised elsewhere in my organisation but it's again a secondment of 12 months.

Now I receive tax credits and these are so helpful. The 12 month seconded post will tip me over the tax credits threshold which I don't mind but i may need them again if I return to my substantive post. But once Tax Credits have ended all new claims for help must be done through Universal Credit. Now I work with claimants of UC and it really is ruining people's lives, I would rather avoid it if possible or at least be moved through the migration process if possible.

So my question is would you go for another temp post and risk the lifeline of tax credits knowing that I may need them again next year or would you return to substantive and look for a permanent position which will hopefully mean that I no longer need any support through either Tax Credits or UC.

I was also thinking of going back to my substantive part time role and starting a business when my youngest starts school.

As you can see it's a bit of a quandary.

Please don't shout me down and call me a benefits scrounger, I'm just looking for opinions and a little bit of direction. Please be kind

Bump

There was a news headline yesterday that they are postponing the rollout of UC if that helps?

Short term posts are a pain. I am looking around at the moment and don’t want to apply for anything under 18 months. To be honest, I think holding on to the stability of your 0.5 post is the way to go.

@MaybeDoctor I'm leaning towards this but it will mean dropping back to half time pay which just covers the bills. Tax credits would cover fuel, food and clothes. It'll be a struggle again but I suppose short term pain and long term gain applies here.

Do you think another ‘additional hours’ internal role might come up? Or will the project be extended?

It sounds as if posts come up quite often so I suggest sitting tight until you know for sure what is happening with your project role.

The project role is likely to be extended for another year which will mean I'll be in this position again in a year. That's why I was wondering if I should return to my substantive and deal with drop in pay until a new (permanent) role is advertised.

But yes new roles are constantly advertised. It's a large public sector organisation and I've worked for them a long time.

I just want to make sure I'm making the right choice if /when I move on as I really like the team I work with and my manager is fantastically flexible in terms of childcare and working from home.
I also don't want to scupper my house ax credits claim for a temp contract that will take me over the earnings threshold without having a permanent higher paid role at the end.

God sometimes I hate the trappings of being a working lone parent.

I think this is a case of 'stick or twist'.

If the 'extra hours' post continues for another year I would stick where you are in your shoes.