Would you take the extra hours?

[30scrisis]

Extra hours have just come up in my workplace. Currently I am hugely topped up with tax credits due to myself and my DD being disabled and being a single parent. So I work 26 hours a week at around £10 an hour. I'm thinking of adding on four but will lose more in tax credits, and tax, than I will earn. So basically I'll be around £25 a week worse off working extra hours. Stick with me... I've just been given a mortgage in principle on my own which is amazing! However I'm thinking of moving in with OH at some point in the next year. At which point I'll lose all my tax credits and so in turn the mortgage offer ive just received will also go down as it's taken my TC in as income currently. So at the point I move in with OH I'll need the extra pay. What would you do?

I'd take the extra hours
I've just upped my hours (single parent topped up with tax credits too)

I'm a single parent on tax credits and I find I'm no better off working 30 hours than I was when I worked 16, I'm just more stressed out, miserable and my kids and home life are suffering, I'm planning to go back to less hours snd be there more for my kids for drop off, pick up etc

It's frustrating as it's really hard to better yourself while on tax credits, if you really enjoy the job and it won't affect other aspects of your list then do it, if not stick with what is comfortable and works for you

Sorry missed that parent about moving in with other half, so yes take the hours of you can as the income will be needed

Why are you no better off working 30, than 16?
I don't get it

Stay as you are, making yourself financially worse off for 4 extra hours is just not worth it, plus it is 4 more childcare hours to find in the school holidays.

Yes I would take the extra hours in order to secure the mortgage.