to be worried about how it will affect us financially when DP moves in?

[worriedsinglemum]

am a regular, have namechanged.

got 2 pre school age DC and have been with DP nearly a year. he is not DC dad. we live apart but have got quite quite serious now and have talked about marriage. at christmas we have decided that he is going to move in here with me at the end of february when his tenancy agreement ends.

i am really worried about what to expect financially as i am on full benefits at the moment.

he works and earns about 22k. but we are worried as he will have to pay all the rent and council tax at my place, which will be about £500. he also has to pay CSA of £250 a month to his ex who he has dc with and has debts with his ex (credit cards) which the repayments are about £200 at the moment. then we have got to consider food, gas, electric and his diesal to work which is about £150 as he works 30 miles away. so all of that will probably come to more than he earns :( he is in a flatshare atm so doesnt pay much rent, bills etc.

i get nothing off my dc's dad (long story) and at the moment get about £150 income support and tax credits, plus child benefit £30 a week-ish and my rent and council tax paid.

but i would imagine when i declare that dp has moved in i will lose everything apart from the child benefit. i just dont know how we are going to live and i can't really get a job at the moment as it would cost more in childcare than i would earn :(

has anyone else been in a similar situation at all and could advise whether we will be entitled to anything still. i am aware i will probably get flamed for being on benefits but these are just my circumstances and i can't help it. i dont want financial stress to ruin my lovely new relationship. any advice would be much appreciated x

Honestly, I know some have said that about the LP advisers, but i think it is your best bet.

Yes, they have targets, but they won't force you into anything.

Presumably you have to go and see them sometimes anyway?

They can do a search for you for jobs with flexible hours, they get sent jobs where LP's are given priority to interview, and they can work out the money thing for you.

I was suspicious too, but really it's just a programme on the computer that they put the figures you give them into. They take into account all your costs, childcare, whatever.

Even if you are not looking for work yet, there is nothing to be lost by having them do a calculation r.e your cohabiting.

They can't force you to do anything you don't want to.

CAB does have a different calculator that isn't available to the public

personally I'd trust the entitledto one more then hmrc

as for lp advisers- a friend's told her (last week) that if she goes back to work she will get 80% of childcare paid
NO!it is being reduced to up to 70% grr