A bit personal perhaps but what benefits / entitlements do you get (if any)?

[sb34]

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SB this seems ver near impossible.I am a single mum and dont work,I have three kids and one of them is registered disabled so i get premiums for him.But i get income support and child tax credit and child benefit which all added together comes to about £210 a week,so yes i would defo be looking into it.Can you go to your local jobcentre and ask to see a lone parent advisor they should be able to tell you what you are entitled to and how to apply for it.

I have a friend who has recently become a single parent and I need to find out for her the additional benefits available to working single parents. She's due to go back to work in November and needs to know if there is any additional help with childcare costs as well as tax benefits? Thanks for your help in advance.

no nellie i think that sounds right. well i know they don't take into account any maintenance.

sb i was told by cab that if you have 2 kids, wherever the money comes from you get a minimum of about £125 per week, i think this includes child benefit. it also includes maintenance and child tax credits. any difference is topped up by income support. i found the CAB very helpful for a wider picture of what i was entitiled to. Have you applied for child tax credits. Also i think, as people have already mentioned apply for every discount you can as it all adds up - council tax, NHS exemption, leisure pass for swimming lessons etc. It does seem very hard work trying to find out what you can get.