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Original poster

Can I hand my notice in because of childcare issues being a single parent?

27 replies

SamxH · 04/03/2020 08:48

HELP!

I started a new job summer last year where family members said that they would help out with childcare; unfortunately they are no longer in a position to do this and I am left in a situation where I literally have no other help in getting my child from school, childminder isn’t an option as I just simply cannot afford it.

I have been on the sick now for four weeks due to the stress this is putting me under causing my blood pressure to rise to unhealthy levels, and unfortunately at the moment the only option seems to be to hand in my notice; only thing is I would then not have an income and I am unsure as to where I would stand with any help benefits wise.

Seems that by trying to better the family and do the right thing I have bitten off a little more than I can chew.

Can anyone please offer some advice ❤️

OP posts:
Whatsmynextmove · 04/03/2020 08:51

Have you explained the situation to your employer? Is there anything they can do to help? I am a manager and when one of my employees had similar struggles I arranged for them to work a bit more flexibly whilst they sorted something more long term out. I’m sure they’d rather do that than have you resign.
How old is your child? You may qualify for help towards childcare costs as a single parent. I have very little knowledge on benefits in terms of where you stand if you are voluntarily out of work, but it might be worth checking on the entitled to website or turn 2 us. Good luck, I hope you get something sorted.

Sushiroller · 04/03/2020 08:54

Talk to your employer explain the situation and see if they allow flexible working or reduced hours.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 04/03/2020 09:00

Why can't you afford a childminder? I'm a single parent and most of my childcare costs are paid for by tax credits, have you looked into what help you can get?

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Original poster
SamxH · 04/03/2020 09:08

I have to pay full everything and get no help from the other parent; my wages only just cover my outgoings rent, c tax, utilities etc, I would not be able to afford anymore outgoings even if it’s only part of the payment as we struggle to live as it is

OP posts:
HappyHammy · 04/03/2020 09:12

How much help do you need, is it just collecting after school. Ask work if you can do flexi hours, do the school have after school clubs. Do you qualify for any benefit help with childcare.

Gazelda · 04/03/2020 09:14

Do you receive tax credits? Is there an after school club?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 04/03/2020 09:15

All single parents get some help towards childcare costs unless they are high earners so I'd check again OP.

Original poster
SamxH · 04/03/2020 09:21

After school club has no spaces available at this time, I will speak with employer about cutting hours just not sure then how I would afford to cover everything bill wise as like I say it’s a struggle now. I’m currently full time on 8.90 an hour.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 04/03/2020 09:25

OP you will get help towards childcare and you should be getting working tax credits on that wage. You do not have to pay it all yourself, where are you getting your information?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 04/03/2020 09:27

The cut off for tax credits is about £30k a year and for help with tax free childcare costs it's £100k a year, you earn well under that. You are entitled to help.

TeddyIsaHe · 04/03/2020 09:27

You’re absolutely entitled to Universal Credit which will pay up to 85% of your childcare bills. And then there will be extra on top of that as well.

roseelizabeth · 04/03/2020 09:48

I was in exactly this position. Literally walked out on my job in floods of tears when I realised things just wasn't working anymore. Thankfully, I had a fantastic boss who came running after me. She gave me 1 months garden leave a to look at childcare options, and then agreed I could return to work 8:30 to 2:30 every day. This helped massively, as the kids could go in breakfast club and then I would pick them up. I've since moved employers several times, and now my hours are 9-2:30, but flexible meaning I can drop them off, be in for 9:15 ish and then leave at 2:50 to pick them up.

So please, talk to your employer, they may be more helpful than you think x

SavoyCabbage · 04/03/2020 10:02

I would also speak to your school if you haven't already and let them know that you are having difficulty with. It being able to access the before and after care. We would do everything we could at our school to squeeze another child in if we knew your situation.

underfall · 04/03/2020 10:23

”unfortunately at the moment the only option seems to be to hand in my notice; only thing is I would then not have an income and I am unsure as to where I would stand with any help benefits wise.”

I think Universal Credit is supposed to make sure the person is better off in work than they would be if they quit work. If you contact your local Citizens Advice (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/), they’ll help you calculate what help you’re entitled to, and they’ll put it all down in writing which you can show when you apply for the benefits.

Childcare costs are a big problem for a lot of people. A solution needs to be found - one which will actually cover the costs without putting the parents through anxiety he’ll.

vhs95 · 04/03/2020 10:29

My daughter uses childcare vouchers (?) from government for her son.

underfall · 04/03/2020 10:33

I said: “without putting the parents through anxiety he’ll.”
Should be “anxiety hell.”

titchy · 04/03/2020 10:40

The majority of childcare costs are covered under childcare tax credits, or the equivalent in UC. So yes you do have a choice. Or are you earning over £30,000 a year?

underfall · 04/03/2020 10:56

"The majority of childcare costs are covered under childcare tax credits, or the equivalent in UC."

I believe childcare tax credits can cover up to 75% of the costs, and the parent may in addition be entitled to benefits. There’s a calculator on the “entitledto” website. www.entitledto.co.uk/

Greggers2017 · 04/03/2020 12:20

If you are on £8.90 per hours you will be entitled to universal credit. My sister is a single parent to two and is earning similar to you. She claims universal credit and affords childcare no problem. You should also be getting housing benefit and council tax reduction on that wage.

MarieQueenofScots · 04/03/2020 12:23

Agree the best thing is to do the online calculator as shared above to work out what help you’re entitled to.

In addition, speak to your employer and see what options there are for flexible working.

If it is an option, you absolutely should pursue the other parent via CMS to contribute to their children.

underfall · 04/03/2020 12:37

"If it is an option, you absolutely should pursue the other parent via CMS to contribute to their children."

If the OP can’t get the other parent to agree to pay child maintenance, they can apply to CMS to get it arranged officially.

www.gov.uk/making-child-maintenance-arrangement

MarieQueenofScots · 04/03/2020 12:39

If the OP can’t get the other parent to agree to pay child maintenance, they can apply to CMS to get it arranged officially

That’s what I said!

AnotherMurkyDay · 04/03/2020 12:45

Yes do CMS but I wouldn't expect that to be quick.

Please do a benefits calculator for UC. There are no new claims for tax credits now, but UC can top up your money and pay up to 85% of childcare. You are WELL below the cut off working 40hours per week at 8.90 an hour (you didn't say how many hours but FT is usually 35-40hours so I went with the bigger number).

You might be very pleasantly surprised with the help available to you if you have not been claiming any tax credits or UC before now

LIZS · 04/03/2020 12:50

If you did you risk being sanctioned and financially worse off. Can you use al to reduce the working day until you can organise a cm or wrap around care via govt funding or cms.

AnotherMurkyDay · 04/03/2020 12:54

I just did a benefit calculator estimate which obviously won't be perfect but it says you should be entitled to some childcare costs and some due to income. I estimated cost of childcare at £250 a week (which it's unlikely to be) and it said the eligibility could be £290 odd a week. Obviously that's not going to be a perfect calculation as I made things up a bit, but just to show it could well cover the childcare (and a bit more)