what would you do?

[hollyatchristmas]

Hi

Here is my situation.

I have a DD who is 8 months. Before I had her, I was working (full time) in a zero hours role, although you never actually got zero hours, it was in home community care.

I split up with her dad when she was 2 months, I've had maternity pay just the basic from the government.

Now here's the problem, I need to go back to work. My mum died when I was 13, she left me her house. I don't live in it as I met my boyfriend when I was 17, but I had some money left from what my mum left me, I bought a flat. Me and DD live in the flat now, obviously will prob need somewhere bigger when she's older but luckily she's a quite good baby.

Anyway because I have this house that is rented out to people I am not entitled to any benefits apart from child benefit.

But going back to work is difficult. I have to do anti social hours. I just can't as even if my baby is in nursery they aren't open nights and weekends.

So I need to think of another job, but don't know what. And I'm really starting to panic. I'm just looking for advice on what I can do, to support me and my baby.

Depending on how old you are there is extra funding available for employers and training providers taking on people who have been in care as apprentices so might be worth looking at that option.www.getingofar.gov.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=consumer&gclid=CjwKEAiAjcDBBRCJxouz9fWHynwSJADaJg9BhtFHDQBBLy5tzlGE4ze5M9Ga5w3TRA_ktLDtwl6hNxoCHbjw_wcB

I've had a look online and I can't see any reason why you wouldn't be entitled to tax credits. Do you complete a self assessment tax return every year? You shouldn't need to pay tax on the income now but you may have had to while working.

Anyway, when you apply for tax credits it comes under 'income from self employment'. If £450pm is your sole income (excluding CB) then you will certainly be eligible for tax credits.

You've been misinformed.

it's because the house is savings, so to them it's like I've got £100,000 of savings.

it's because the house is savings, so to them it's like I've got £100,000 of savings

I'm not 100% sure but I thought they only took into account income generated from savings rather than the savings themselves. I'd check again.

I know you can't claim some benefits if you have savings over a certain amount...but I didn't think tax credits worked like that?

well, without the house I'd be entitled to £64 in tax credits. be nice if I am wrong but that's what the website said :)

Well, how much does the house bring in? Must be more than that surely?

Tax credits just goes on what is brought in by it...anything over 300 is counted from memory.

What are you putting the house down as? It could be as simple as you inputting it wrong.

Do you have any support from care leavers charities? Or try CAB. I'm 99% sure that you are entitled to tax credits, you just need to know how to fill the form out.

It brings in £450 a month.

It is worth about £110,000.

I guess I can ask again about tax credits it would obviously be great if I was entitled to something.

Dont sell your rental its giving you a income.

no, that's one reason I really don't want to. It's also money for DD in future incase she wants to go to collage or something.

Ah fuck I've just read ufurther and realised that Universal Credit will take capital and investments into account. People are going to be screwed.

If you have £450 coming in from the house rental, how much more would you need to live on month to month? If I were in your situation I think I'd look for a job in a shop or similar, something within normal childcare hours, and do enough hours to top that £450 up to whatever my monthly outgoings are plus childcare costs. (I know they vary massively but if I had no rent to pay, and £450 income, I wouldn't need a massive amount more to cover other outgoings including luxuries, treats etc. Then in the future when the timing feels better for you, you can look at training for nursing? I will add that it's definitely worth you looking in to maintenance payments from your ex if possible.

Gosh there's some unkind people about sometimes.

The OP came on for Job suggestions, said what she could do, what she couldn't and why and asked for suggestions.

What is people's problem?

And to say someone is in a beer position than most because they have a house LT to them when they were 13 and their mum died and they went into care how heartless can you get

You may be able to do a nursery job and do NVQ at the same time? I may be wrong but I'm sure you can start at level 1 without GCSEs? Don't write yourself off OP. I think if you for for jobs with the attitude I can do X, y and z and offer you this rather than I have no qualifications, childcare and limited availability it might be easier.

the thing is it wouldn't be topping up the £450 as that would go on childcare.

So a full time nursery place is about £800. If I work full time hours minimum wage that's about £1000 a month. So making a profit of about £200. Plus £450 which is £650 and child benefit so about £700 a month that we can live off.

thanks, kidding, I do think I've alot to offer in some ways but realistically I am limited, and wanted to explain all this in my post so's people didn't waste time saying I should apply for shop jobs, as I can't really work Saturdays.

No, I've looked at the entitled to website though and it always comes back with the same results. That if you've savings including in the form of property your not eligible which is fair enough really.

You're wrong about the CTC OP. I am in a similar situation (although I don't have a rental property). I got a divorce settlement out of which I bought a cheaper property outright and have a nest egg left over of which I am living off (plan to retrain in the New Year). I contacted Tax Credits, explained everything (fully expecting to lose all entitlement) but was advised that the money from the sale of the former matrimonial home was not classed as an income. As your income from the rental property is so low, you would be entitled. Call them.
And good luck with finding work

it's the rental property that makes the difference.

If you have a house outright you live in. That doesn't count. But if you have one aswell it does.

I used to work in retail and call centres there was a number of women (and some men) who used to work 8-1 mon-fri or 9-5 for 2 days whilst their dc were in nursery part time or school none of them worked sat or evenings. If you don't ask you don't get.
There are always students or other mums who wish to work evenings,nights weekends etc

No not asked about jobs.

Yes, but your income from the rental property is less than 10k a year so you will get something. I would call them, and check again

Can you sell the house and flat and buy a larger place (4 bed?) and take in 2 lodgers? Then you could work, earn your 1000 then have the 200 left plus the lodgers rental from 2 rooms and your CB. Maybe even get one of the lodgers to babysit for your odd shifts.