To take it easy and claim benefits?

[santascupcakes]

I work part time on a shift rota. This worked around DH's full time job which he has just lost. (He was a manager for 15 years and set his own rota around mine).

We have 4dc's under 7yrs. 2 in school and 2 babies.

His old job was quite unique and competetive and we are not going to find another in the same position where he could set his own hours.

We could both change jobs but childcare costs could be a huge issue.

Advice from CAB says that if I continue to do my job which is currently 20hrs per week, (could be increased in future if someone leaves) then DH could be SAHD and we would get our housing and council tax paid.

This does seem like a good idea especially when we consider how much money that adds up to.

oh yes mssoul some research I've done for uni about the difficulties experienced by those who don't work shows very very strongly that even the most motivated, confident, skilled person - if left out of work for even just three months - starts to show signs of depression/social phobia etc...

Hence I think it is alway better to work if you can than claim benefits because it's such a very slippery slope.

Glad your DP has found something.

I am executive, and if I had to I would wipe arses/stack shelves/deliver pizza for work (god forbid I have to !)

Countless, DH has LOST his job. We certainly would not drop out for the sake of claiming benefits.

Hairy I DO wipe arses..LOL....I am a carer. Work have said I can take someones hours if they leave but in this day and age even finding a job in my field is hard.

I absolutely agree hairy. That's why these 'spongers' we hear so much about haven't the first clue where to begin to be a working, contributing adult when they have never had a working role model.

I am so proud of my dp - he hasn't been deterred by something being 'beneath' him, just concerned about bringing money into the household. Funny to see reactions of people when he says 'I deliver pizzas' when asked what he does It's happened twice and both people asking were

Santa!!! Nowt wrong wi that. Could you do agency work. Lots of care agencies pay £40ish a night for a sleepover... And you can choose hours which suit. Just a thought, I used to do that when I was a single Mum and DD1 was at her Dad's.

I have signed up for a couple of agencies but as work is few and far between it cannot be relied upon. If we take the benefit route it would stop me as I would have to keep telling them everytime I want to work. Really cant afford for them to keep changing it and not knowing.

Much better to try for full time work.

It is very true that I would be much better off on benefits. I only intend a short term fix until the new year but am worried that if we do, it will be harder to find work since undoubtedly we will become financially worse off for working!

Agencies here always have hours going begging! What about being a PA to someone who gets direct payments if you have caring experience - that might offer flexibility? Where I am, people often advertise on Gumtree.

Benefits are there to help at times like this, though. But I know what you mean about worrying if you'd be better off. Noone should be better off on benefits than working though, should they? And what kind of lesson do you teach the kids, whould be my biggest concern.

You are doing really well, stay strong

Thank you mssoul, I love the PA idea. I deal with dimentia and I know lots of families would prefer a home carer than use homes.

I have no NVQ's so will look into what I need to set up. Maybe I could advertise also on gumtree.

msoul how did working for a care agency work with benefits? I would like to do this but am worried about having no income when I don't get shifts.(single parent)

OP YANBU if you have no choice or would be worse off with any other option.