Anyone know what would happen if I left my job to move to another area ?

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

I currently work 22.5 hours a week and xp and my mum help out with the kids of a morning and in school hols.

I really want to move to a different area. I feel as a family that it is what we all need, but if I moved then I couldn't continue working where I do now.

I would be more than happy to look for another job so would be happy to go onto JSA but would I have to wait the 13 weeks before claiming because I had left my job of my own accord ??

I know this is normally the case, but wondered if the rules were different for lone parents.

why do you feel you need to move away from your mum and your dc's father?
How far are you thinking of going?
How are you planning on maintaining contact?
How are you going to cope with school holidays etc while working if you no longer have support of your ex and mum near by?

I know it' snot your original question. But just wondering what your reasons are if you you realise that the grass isn't always greener on the other side...

I don't live near my family and I have no help at all with my son and it's very, very difficult. I'm self employed now so chose my own hours but it made me unwell when I was working and doing everything by myself. I'd have a big think about this, as gilly says, the grass isn't always greener.

Yes, JSA will be delayed if you resign (though there is discretion if you are claiming constructive dismissal, but that doesn't sound as if it applies to you). I can't find an authoritative statement about how many weeks this delay would be).

Depending on the age of your youngest child, you might be able to claim IS instead, or qualify for a hardship payment. You probably need specialist advice from a Jobcentre, or online from direct.gov or somewhere like entitledto.

I think it would be better to claim IS than JSA, you'd be eligible as long as your child is under 7 and satisfy the income/savings rules. The amount is the same as JSA but you wouldn't have to sign on.

I also moved away to get a fresh start and more opportunities when I split with my ex. It was hard but the quality of life was so much better when I moved. I totally understand your reasons for wanting to move on.

Thank's

I'd not be able to claim IS as my youngest is 8, so it would be JSA.

My reasons for wanting to move are that my xp lives on my doorstep, and will not keep his nose out of my private life. He also gets drip fed info, from people in my street, who have nothing better to do.
This results in regular outbursts from him.

Wrt contact between him and dc's. It is only ds who sees him regularly now, as the dd's decided not to.

I would only be moving about 8/10 miles away and xp has a car.

My mum has been a help to me since the split but doesn't seem to be able to do so without constant critisim of how I choose to bring uo the dc.

I would like to move just that bit further away so that me and the dc can have our own lives, without everyone constantly sticking their noses in. Our life as it is now is horrible and non of us are happy.

My plan is to try and look for a job in the area I want first, but this might be pretty impossible to sort out, especially as I live in a HA home and so will be doing a housing swap.

Well if it's only 8/10 miles up the road you should be able to keep your current job until you find something closer shouldn't you? Or do you not have transport to get there?
Will the dc be moving school too? Your ex may not agree to that so you'd have to get them to their old school/s if there was no agreement on that...

I am usually all in favour of moving on
but do think about the pro and cons
Is it really worthy to change school house all sort of stuff just for 10 miles away?
Can you try to shut them up instead? I mean, can you try to live where you are as you would live that touch further away?
Pretend mum is not there, forget her, she is out of the picture. This means you cannot ever rely on her for weekdays support.
Have the kids see her on whatever day of th quick as you would if you were away, same with father, do not engage.
Can you try it out while you send some cv out?
May be I am talking pants but worth a try?

I was considering moving last year, and as I am in housing association, like you, it all seemed so impossible. The whole set up seems to be for those on benefits, not for those of us who work. The only way I think you could do it is by getting a possible exchange first, hopefully with someone patient, and explain to them that the actual exchange will take place as soon as you find a job in the new area. Don't give up your current job until you are definitely moving and have a job to go to. In the end I changed my mind and decided to stay where I am for the time being. I have family here, and support.

Thank's for the advice it is much appreciated.

I can drive but don't currently have a car, so couldn't keep my current job.

The job problem seems to be the most complicated part. If possible I would like to register as a childminder if the new house was suitable.

You don't need to move out of the city, tbh you would hate living in JSA if you are used to get a salary and tax credits. Being alone in a new area without a job is a perfect recipe for ending up having a very solitary life.

As a single mum you really need to keep in contact with whatever network of support you have, be it friends or family. This is already difficult to do having a job, without a job... well it come the time when you really have to decide whether you can afford the cost of the transport/telephone to keep in touch or not. It is no fun, honest.

If I were you, I would find the bus stop nearer to the job, and order timetables of every bus touching that stop. Then try to find other areas that allow to keep some distance from the ex without changing your life completely.

Or, start looking for the job but don't leave yours until you have another one. The recession is not over yet, it may take you months (or years) to find another one, so think it through.

If you don't want your mum to help you can claim the child care element of tax credits which, depending on your income, may cover up to 80% of child care fees.

If you are having to put up with 'outbursts' from him have you considered getting the police involved. They were very supportive when my XP kept kicking off.

It's not on that you need to move because he is giving you grief, he's the one who needs to change. Easier said than done I know, but no harm in looking into it.

I did a housing swap when I moved. It took a good few months to find the right exchange but I started looking about a year in advance anyway. I was quite strict on my criteria though - I don't drive so I needed somewhere with good transport links and access to amenities, plus a lift and the same no. of bedrooms. I know people who downsized when they exchanged because they needed to move quickly, but have really suffered because they can't get rehoused with more rooms now.

It was easier for me as DS was still young enough that I could get IS.

If you plan ahead, it should give you time to find a decent exchange, a new job, and also save up for moving costs.