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Original poster

What help am I entitled to as a lone working parent.

16 replies

Howdon · 05/09/2023 07:55

Hi All,

Just looking for some advice.

I have recently found out I am pregnant, and the father will not be involved. Equally, my parents have said I would need to move out once this baby is born.

I'm currently earning £28,000 per year, I also get quarterly bonus (maximum £2000 per quarter). I am currently single, with limited savings.

What are my options with housing? Will the council be able ti support me with social housing, or would I only be able to privately rent?

Also, when I would be on SMP, would I qualify for other benefits? I tried to do an entitlement calculation online, but I'm not sure I'm doing in properly.

I understand its early on, but I need to make an informed decision about my finances, as ti whether I can sustain a child on my own. Of course, I am hopeful I can manage but I want to be realistic...

Thanks!

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Seashellies · 05/09/2023 07:56

I'd try and speak to CAB OP who can go through everything and they should have knowledge of how your local authority works in terms of accessing social housing etc.

Pleaseme · 05/09/2023 08:03

You might get UC, it very much depends on your outgoings. If you have childcare costs and rental costs etc play around with numbers for your area on entitled to. If you do decide to keep the pregnancy claim for cms as soon as the baby is born.

Ollifer · 05/09/2023 08:06

I'm not entitled to anything as a lone parent because I don't have childcare costs as he's in school and I work around the hours. It's bloody tough. Hopefully you'll be able to get some help op

Original poster
Howdon · 05/09/2023 08:11

Pleaseme · 05/09/2023 08:03

You might get UC, it very much depends on your outgoings. If you have childcare costs and rental costs etc play around with numbers for your area on entitled to. If you do decide to keep the pregnancy claim for cms as soon as the baby is born.

Thanks pleaseme, the only issue with the CMS is that the father is a self -employed business owner. I've heard horrible stories about claiming CMS, when the father is the company director of a small LTD company!

OP posts:
Original poster
Howdon · 05/09/2023 08:16

Seashellies · 05/09/2023 07:56

I'd try and speak to CAB OP who can go through everything and they should have knowledge of how your local authority works in terms of accessing social housing etc.

Hey seashellies, thanks for your reply. Sorry if I sound daft, what does CAB stand for?

OP posts:
Original poster
Howdon · 05/09/2023 08:17

Ollifer · 05/09/2023 08:06

I'm not entitled to anything as a lone parent because I don't have childcare costs as he's in school and I work around the hours. It's bloody tough. Hopefully you'll be able to get some help op

Oh that must be tough, hope it gets easier for you! I do have my family, who have said they will help when I return to work. But asides from that, I will be on my own essentially.

OP posts:
budgetingnovice1993 · 05/09/2023 08:23

You've been living at home in a salary of £34k a year and have no savings?

Readingineading · 05/09/2023 08:29

CAB - Citizens Advice Bureau

Babyroobs · 05/09/2023 08:34

It depends what limited savings are. If you have over 16k in savings you would not qualify for any Universal credit. Anything over 6k would reduce the amount you get. If just getting smp and have savings under 16k then yes it's likely you would qualify for some UC especially if renting. You are very unlikely to get council housing if you are currently adequately housed unless you are in an area where it is relatively easy to get. There are hundreds of thousands waiting for council/ social housing. You should also qualify for child benefit and child maintenance - get a CM claim in as soon as the baby is born, he does not have the option not to pay.

Loverofoxbowlakes · 05/09/2023 08:46

Are you newly pregnant op?

Honestly, with dad not going to be around (and potentially challenging to get any sort of financial support from), being made homeless and on SMP for a while, I'd reconsider the pregnancy.

Then take time to regroup - get some savings built up to move out of your parent's house (v unlikely to be housed by the council), find a chap who wants to be around to be a full time parent and who is as invested as you are.

Harsh maybe, but this is not just your future you are considering.

rolvus · 05/09/2023 18:08

It's almost impossible to get housing in many parts of the county right now. Most younger people I know are having to stay with parents. I would be very worried about trying to rent somewhere if I didn't own a home. The available social housing is absolutely minimal.

Pista41 · 05/09/2023 18:17

I’m in a similar position OP (though my child is almost four now) and sorry but I don’t think you’ll be entitled to any UC on that salary. There is no help for single parents specifically (there should be!) or even working parents (child tax credit is a thing of the past), it’s just on income and I’m fairly certain yours would be considered too high to qualify. Obviously don’t take my word for it though, you can check online. You will get child benefit as standard and will get usual help with childcare at the normal age.

Sunsnet · 05/09/2023 19:02

If you privately rent you may be entitled to a little help, depending on the amount.

Hubblebubble · 05/09/2023 19:25

The only thing I got specifically related to being a single parent was the option to have child benefit paid weekly rather than monthly.

PandaChopChop · 05/09/2023 19:33

I receive some help with housing (private rent), I have 2 DCs and earn £38,000. I work full time.

PandaChopChop · 05/09/2023 19:34

Use the entitledto. Calculator,it's really good.

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