Full time or part time and benefits?

[DancingintheDark17]

I'm currently a working full time single mum, thinking about positively of changing to part time.

I love my work, decent salary, good hours = no paid child care needed, lots of paper work done at home when DS in bed. Being committed 5 days is really taking its toll on priorities, my son and work are always sorted, which leaves me running around with every spare minute trying to clean. Having the extra days at home would creat a perfect balance, but knowing the drop in wages it was only ever a dream.

However my friend recently explained how she's retuning part time after maternity leave, as she will be entitled to x, y, z and when added together is nearly a full time wage.

If I made the change it would permanent, and to move back I would need to reapply.

Any advice? Experience?

I was a single parent - older child autistic, toddler, home educating, little to no outside support. Domestically abusive ex. Abusive and exhausting benefits and social care system.

I’d have given anything for the security of a decent full time job and being able to outsource the domestic futures to free up my time - couldn’t even get a carers assessment for a tiny bit of respite.
i am certainly NOT living in a glass house.

Although I completely understand the maths and rationale behind it, I think encouraging single mums to work part time for low pay plus benefits top ups is terrible advice. Lots of women I know who are now in their 50's did this and became almost destitute when they lost entitlement to some elements when their children left full time education.

Please re-read my posts, absolutely no judgement from me . The OP needs to do what best suits her family. I was just giving my experience of having to do that.

I would do it. Under the old system you would be getting working tax credits or child tax credits. Lots are still on these legacy benefits. It’s disgraceful really that they’ve lumped everything in together so they can treat everyone like scroungers for something you are entitled too. I’ve just seen your dc isn’t even school age. Even on UC you are only expected to work full time when you child is in school. Even they know working FT with young kids is impossible unless you earn enough to outsource everything.

indeed! Hello! I whack the max into my pension, and salary sacrifice for a 10k bike, just to get as low as I can because I’m paying 63% effective tax as I’m in the band where my personal allowance is getting tapered.

I didn’t make the rules and nor did the OP. So I support anyone doing similar 👍

we also didn’t create policies that have disenfranchised the youth of this country re housing, and weren’t responsible for shit shows like help to buy paid by tax payers. The less I fund that sort of crap, the more I’ll have to donate to proper good causes via gift aid.

This is my thoughts, something needs to go, if finances cover my bills that's fine and additional top ups and help be a bonus.
I know my circumstances will improve leading me wanting to work full time again, but to get my FT permanent position back one needs to be Available so not as easy as decided myself. Although the benefits just now might oitway that problem down the line, w

This is an excellent point. You need to have a transitional plan of action. But whilst you’re young and your kids are young, if you don’t have a career, I’d say the balance is worth it. Once they hit teenage years, it’s worth planning a way out

Well there’s lots of ‘dreadful’ people out there then 🙄….. I personally don’t judge anyone if they want to work part time when their kids are young…..and if they can claim a few quid along the way then they must be entitled to it …..blame the government

I know my salary is higher so I'm expected to pay for a lot myself which I expect but I don't understand as single mum my son isn't even entitled to attend additional clubs run locally, as these are only for low income families. I just don't get why im running ragged getting no help, where as I reduce my hours, relieve stress levels, and then help is given..

Im a single parent, work 25 hours over 3 days, bring in 1000 and get 700 in uc.i don't have a mortgage or rent so we mange ok on that. I will go full time when the dds are older but for now it works really well for us.

This is the part of the system that really annoys me, where you have to fight for what your entitled too.. I've been on that side, my mum is disabled (her medical conditions that impact her life is endless) these have progressly got worst as she grew up but the system reduce her money even though she was less mobile than the last visit..
My issue is I can't outsource my time,
I've always worked, that's why this would be such a big decision to make, and like u I'm unsure if I would regret it from a career point of view

Do you think you could manage on the money for a couple of years then go back to full time easily? If so I'd do it.

I coud be completely wrong but i thought you were expected to look for full tome employment once children reach school age? If i am right would that not stop you being entitled to claim anything long term?

I would do it. What’s the point in running yourself ragged just to save the government a few quid on a system they designed!

I would only need to work 2/2.5 days to cover £1000 a month, so I would be better dropping more days and claim benefits and additional gov help, than only 1 or two days for same money and entitled to help.. Definetly food for thought x

The problem is that you are only thinking about today - your pension contributions will be down and your prospects of promotion are diminished. But I doubt you will get as much anyway, uc (tax credits are being phased out and no new claimants get them) is harder to get and more complicated. If your child is over 11 you are expected to be working full time and if you are not your job coach will be expecting you to be job seeking to increase your hours - I'm assuming your child is younger than 11 but you could hard it difficult to return to full time once you drop hours.

My advice is to get a fortnightly cleaner

Think you might be right, but if dropped my days I would take over my mums care, throughout the day. She currently outsources help with housework, prep for cooking etc, where as I'm usually doing al the chemist/ shop runs at night

Will you be penalised for giving up a full time job?

You'll kill your pension for the duration

I work for the LA and have been doing so for 25 years so I upped my pension contributions so my salary is 1000 per month, that gives me circa 700 uc.

Exactly!!!

What's the big deal about a pension I might not even live to see it. Although I do pay a £3/400 a month into it the now.
There's more to my story read the replies please

@SwanBuster Thank you for your posts here. Very informative.

I'm on UC, work PT, husband unable to work, 2 kids. I've recently changed jobs (more money) and I'm considering going FT. By increasing my hours to FT it'll work out that I'll be getting just over £3 per hour for the extra hours I'll be working and will get about £200 in total in my pocket. I currently work 3 days.

Also, increasing my hours means my council tax reduction increases so I'll have even less in my pocket for working significantly more per week.

I'm hoping this, what feels like an, insane approach will improve my finances longer term. But, as mentioned by PPs, I'll be at risk of burn out due to my personal circumstances. It's a horrible position to be in.

I had never even considered upping my pension. I definitely need to do that.

@HowIsItMarchAlready @HowIsItMarchAlready can you clarify who your talking about, capable/desperate need? Have you read the full thread or making assumptions again?