Income support- how much can you earn to still receive it?

[russetbella1000]

Hi I wonder if anyone can help. I understand that you can't work more than 16 hours to receive income support but is there an upper limit in terms of how much you're allowed to earn...I'm sure there must be but I can't find it.

Also I'm wondering how you would calculate hours worked. As a supply teacher a day is counted as 5 hours so 3 days a week could be worked and i could still receive income support. However, if I was on a contract of 3 days a week, do I still just put 15 hours for the 3 day a week contract. Is it just for me to put down the hours or will this be checked by DWP with my employer's HR?

Thanks

As a supply teacher won't you be earning quite a bit? I think you're allowed to keep £20 a week before they start taking any away from your benefits, but that could be old figures.

The thing is I need to think whether I stay at home with my baby and yes unfortunately use benefits to support me or work and but then pay for child care so just trying to weigh things up...

You would be far far better off doing 16 hours a week and receiving WTC.

yep $20 (pound sign wont work) is still the amount you can earn but you will get help with childcare I think they pay 70% for you.

Oh ok thank you :0)

Would you be able to get a contract of regular work of 3 days as a supply teacher? My friend who was doing supply work said it was always uncertain whether she'd get any work for that day at all, the agency would just call her by 8am that morning and she'd have to rush across town for whichever school was needed. I think it'd be hard to arrange childcare for that sort of scenario; a childminder or nursery would want regular hours.

I have already got a contract of 3 days a week and for the other two days work through an agency so my change would entail leaving the 3 day perm contract and working those 3 days via the agency just because it would fall under the 16hour rule.

Most prob though it will be best to just keep up the 3 day a week perm contract as I know this is good to have...

They won't help you with childcare unless you are working 16 hours a week.

When on income support you become eligible for 15 hours childcare as well on the term after your child turns 2.

When did this start? Are you sure that'snot just local to you, because there was no such scheme in place when ds2 was two.

:( been to job centre today and I asked about the 2 year funding but its only normally for those that have been referred, children with speech problems, parents with illness etc but it could be worth looking in to to see if your eligible.