To feel penalised for being a single parent.

[trappedinsuburbia]

Ok, I am single and have 2 dc, I am currently on maternity leave and am taking the additional 3 months unpaid and I have claimed income support for 1 month to cover this period. I am going back to work in less than 2 weeks to will have claimed for 6 weeks altogether.

So far whilst being on maternity leave I have had tax credits request all bank statements, wage slips etc, no probs off they went, all fine.

When I first claimed income support, before I even knew if it had been awarded or not, I had a home visit from someone from benefits, again all fine, I could only show what bank statements etc I had as the others were with the people at income support, the person visiting confirmed that I was to receive income support.

Comes in yesterday and there is a letter waiting for me telling me to attend an interview at the jobcentre to check my entitlement to benefits and to bring these magical fucking bank statements.

AIBU to be getting a little tired of this and think its getting a bit intrusive. Is this normal!!

Of course i'll go and produce said bank statements from months before I even claimed so they can see i've spirited my millions away into an off shore account !!

[daisy0chain]

Unfortunately the people that report for spiteful reasons still have to have their claims investigated in case it's not.

Fwiw I hope you get it sorted and hopefully is just spot checks. I don't know your circumstances but I presume you have good reason.

And definitely bring up the delay.

[Misspixietrix]

Trapped Funnily enough, if they put fraud officers on foot around here. They'd find 'Single' working parents and their partners cars sat in the front drive. They'd also find all these people who suddenly have a magic factory kitchen in the back of their house that churns out cakes for £40 a pop. Wedding cakes for £100+ . 50x over. And not one declared. They'd find very few claimants not 'legitimate' for want of a better word

[trappedinsuburbia]

I will ask, ive nothing to hide anyway, im officially re-employed 6 days after the interview !
Its maybe because im on my own with a new baby, I can see the point there, but its just basically the same information again and again, seems pointless.

[daisy0chain]

I was on my own from my DD being 6 weeks. I didn't have any issues with tax credits etc claiming as being separated. Could you ask outright if there is a problem?

[trappedinsuburbia]

Wow need to learn to bake !
Funnily enough I contacted one of these 'factory kitchens' for a cake last year but they were too busy! I thought people were running legit business from home !!! Probably that kind of niavity has got me in this position in the first place.

[trappedinsuburbia]

Yes I think I will be asking outright.

[Misspixietrix]

I wouldn't contact most of them for the reason that their Food Safety Certificates are usually obselete.

[Misspixietrix]

Trapped not prying but do you think the dad might have made a malicious report?

[trappedinsuburbia]

I honestly dont think he would, its his choice not to be with us and its fairly (gritted teeth) amicable.

[Allofaflumble]

Wow. Hard to believe that people can be so unkind and judge mental towards a fellow sister. Check your jealousy meter you lot - it is abnormally high. I hope you have a lovely time with your baby trapped. Very happy for my taxes to help you out. X

[trappedinsuburbia]

Thank you allofaflumble and you other lovely posters x

[MoominsYonisAreScary]

Have a blue peter badge. I love that.

Each to their own but personally Id take the 6 weeks income support and enjoy the time with my baby, and i wouldnt feel one ounce of guilt about it.

[trappedinsuburbia]

I really dont feel guilty about it, its precious time I'll never have again.
I've also paid taxes for more than 20 years so I really don't give a shit about my short break.
I used to work in a jobcentre, now I remember why I left !!!

[girliefriend]

Also can't believe some of the nastiness spouted on this thread - it's depressing

Op I have been a lone parent since being pregnant (dd now 8yo) and although not claimed IS I have been claiming tax credits since returning to work when dd was 8 months. I have never been 'investigated' other than once having to send off some evidence of child care costs.

Personally I don't think yabu - that would annoy me as well.

[twizzleship]

Op - from your surprise and exasperation at the 'checking process' i assume you've never made a benefit claim of any sort before?

Your feelings towards it are not unreasonable but you are mistaken if you think it is BECAUSE you are a single parent. We ALL get penalised by the government in form or another for simply existing....

The constant document filling/sending etc is a ploy designed to deter us from claiming so don't let it dishearten you. You got a home visit?! You're lucky! In my experience no ones gets a home visit when claiming IS or any other benefit unless they're being 'investigated' or it's DLA related. Just smile and be glad you didn't have to trek to and fro the council offices each time you had to hand something in or they wanted to see you lol!

From my own experience i have now learnt to always keep a copy of any paperwork i need to hand in and always ask if a copy of bank statements etc would be accepted before i send them the original. I have paperless billing and on a few occasions i have had to pay for bank statements on headed paper (£5-10 per statement) so on the occasions they wanted the originals only i had to send a SAE so they could be returned. It was exasperating for me and made me angry but i had to do it over and over again in order for my claim to be processed...i doubt the government will make it any easier for anyone!

[hoppinghare]

A lot of responses seem to be suggesting you shouldn't have the unpaid leave if you can't afford it which would suggest you are being penalised for being single.

Of course you should take the full year's maternity leave.

[Misspixietrix]

alloffaflumble it's mad isn't it? Never heard something so sanctimoneous in all my life and I've read a fair few twattery threads on here!.