LPs with one child who work less than 15 hours per week - what benefits/financial assistance do you receive?

[SoftKittyWarmKitty]

I currently work 3 full days per week in quite a stressful job. I've seen a local school job advertised that's minimum wage for 7.5 hours per week term time only, and am wondering whether to apply. I currently get a small amount of LHA (local housing allowance) towards my rent with a private landlord, plus some WTCs and TCs. I don't get Council Tax Benefit and although my total income is below the threshold for FSM my DS isn't entitled to them because I get WTCs.

Before I apply for the new job, I need to consider whether I can survive on such a low salary (it's not like I'm earning millions now, but you know what I mean). I've looked on entitledto.com but it's too complicated to work out as I'd be swapping jobs mid-financial year. So, if you have one DC and are a single parent working less than 15 hours per week, what else do you receive? Feel free to namechange or PM, if you prefer, as it's about financial stuff.

I would go onto Entitled to.... oput in your current details for the year then do the a calculation with your new details then compare them.

If you work less than 16 hours you wont get WTC but then will qualify for FSM's so take that into consideration

How old is your DS?

If it were me with child over 8 yrs old (think that's the limit now but it's coming down to 5 years soon I think) I'd get JSA for the difference between earnings and JSA total (if any) and be expected to find work to top it up to 16 + hours per week

Also HB, CTB and CTC

As of January, if your DC is 5 or over, you will not be allowed to take a job for under 16 hours a week - you will be expected to be looking for a FT job.

Well you can take it as Lubey says, but you will be given a load of grief and be made to demonstrate that you are looking for other work to get your JSA. I'd say it isn't worth it.

Be careful - if you'd need to claim JSA, they will not like it if you have given up a job (over 16 hours) voluntarily. They may refuse to pay you anything. You should be OK if you'd be claiming IS (as others have said, age limit if 8 at present, and changing to 5). You cannot claim working tax credit for under 16 hours a week.

Could you keep your current job but go down to two days a week?