Returning to work as a single Mummy

[BlueMoon1103]

Hi everyone,

I’ll be going back to work when DS is 5/6 months old and I was wondering if anyone knew who I should contact for advice on how many hours I would be able to work and not be worse off financially. DS will have to be in nursery and I don’t want childcare costs to be more than I earn!

Thank you for any advice!

Hi OP, it's 13 years since I went back to work and it was my local job centre who kept me right. Not sure if you have one near you or if they still advise on that kind of thing.

Anyway, thought I'd bump your thread for you.

In the meantime, this website might give you an idea, if you play about with the figures.

www.entitledto.co.uk

Good luck.

I returned to work when my DS was nearly one. I'd been trying since he was 9 months old as I struggled so bad on income support.
Working for me has made me far better off. And I mean far as in far better than being on income support. This was nearly 5 years ago now so we get tax credits. I got help for a proportion of my sons childcare and a little on top as I am a Low earner. But by no means was I flush as many people believe, but when comparing the difference to not being in work the difference was nearly double. Yes childcare is hard but you do get help towards it and I believe now on UC its a higher percentage than on tax credits.
But in terms of your question working, as a single mom it was the right decision for me and my little boy. The job centre helped me but in the end I found my own job. I was entitled to nothing as I have a mortgage but they are able help you I believe or Citizens Advice

I was a single mum to DS1. he was 5 months. I had to return full time because I couldn't afford not too. I had tex credits which was 70% of my childcare costs I think?

It's worth looking on one of the online calculators and the government tax free childcare site too.

Are you in a Universal Credit area, OP? Would you need help with rent?

I would start by checking what hours the nursery / childminder you are planning to use work. I returned at 5 hours a day then my nursery changed their rules so that you either did a set morning slot or afternoon, or paid a full day (even if you only used a bit of the second slot).
It was understandable because of staffing ratios but meant I had to make a second request to amend working hours shortly after returning.

You need to work at least 16 hrs to qualify for tax credits (or the equivalent part in universal credit). They would provide help for nursery fees depending on your salary.

It would help having a look at the Gingerbread website, they have plenty of advice to help you make a decision.

I also found entitledto.co.uk for calculations as the direct.gov.uk’s calculator only does consider whatever months are left in the financial year, while Entitled to gives you annual estimates.

I didn’t find the JobCentre useful for advice I’m afraid. They gave me the wrong advice, asked me to apply for a benefit which provided just 1/3 I was entitled to and when they realised about the mistake, instead of paying me the 2/3 that were missing they asked me to pay back the 1/3. So I would rely more in an independent advisor.