Looking for advice/info from lone parents who dont work please!

[AimsmumTheRedNoseReindeer]

Before you read this I will warn you its a long one
Bacground - I have 1 DD who is 4, I work PT, get WFTC and maintenence on and off from DDs dad.
For the past year DD has been ill on and off pretty constantly, but nothing too serious. So far this year since jan I have used up all my holidays, some of next years holidays, have taken some unpaid leave and used up all my sick leave looking after DD when she has been ill.
She had an operation last week, but it has looked like it hasn't helped much, and as a result I know she wont be able to go to nursery again next week, and I really don't know what I am going to do regard my work, and I'm getting quite stressed about it as my work haven't been that good about it, but I cant really blame them as I've been off so much!
I have been thinking for a while about giving up work for a bit due to her illnes (as I feel she would benefit from having some quality time off, but I feel I probably send her back to nursery too soon although I try not to and do get very guilty but I have no other choice.) and also because I have childcare problems once she starts school in the summer.
So basically what I was wondering if it is not too nosey or personal, how those of you who dont work manage, and what benefits I would be able to claim if I were to stop working for a year? And would any money her dad gives be deducted from any benefits I would get?
Thanks very much in advance and I hope I'm not being too nosey

I am wondering if you would qualify for any disability/carer benefits as the reason for stopping work would be your dd's illness?

Sorry, no experience of this aimsmum

Thanks spacedonkey the only thing is that DDs illness actually isn't that serious so I dont think I would qualify for anything like that. She has problems with her ear nose and throat, constant infections and a lot of pain, after a bout of this she is very run down then picks up everything going which usually results in her ear etc starting up again and so on.

It might be worth speaking to your HV or GP - obviously they know your dd's medical history, so if there is some kind of allowance you could claim, as SD says, they would know if you'd be eligible. It certainly sounds like you should be able to claim something - you can't hold down a job with a very sickly child on your own, it's impossible. Good luck.

hi Aimsmum, have been a SAHM for 2 years officially now (dd's 2nd birthday was on Weds) but I am now going back to work in January. tbh i would have coped fine just on benefits, but due to Christmas and Im not one for being able to spend sensibly plus I need to save for my car tax and insurance next year, I need to sort out my money. Plus as dp doesnt live nearby, its extra costs to go see him when I do etc.

If you do give up work, you will have WTC stopped, but you will still get CTC and CB. You would be able to apply for IS, and if you rent, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (you apply for CTB when applying for HB). But like the others have said, I would think you should be able to claim something. Look into that first, maybe ring up your local CAB before you decide to do anything else. Good luck with it xxx

If you were on benefits, you would be able to keep the first £10 per week of any maintenance payments from your x.

Message withdrawn

Thanks everyone for your advice.
I have just looked on various websites and used online calculators ect.
I think it would work out that I would be around £300 a month or so worse off(if I have done it right)as I am not including the £400 I pay for a pt private nursery place as I wouldn't need that anymore, but if I got some help with my rent and CT I would pretty much break even (I think).
Although I don't know if this is correct as it seems more than I thought it would.
Happymum, the only problem is if you claim IS you have to claim through the CSA and are not allowed to have a private agreement with your ex so I cant really see away around this....unless you know of one
Thanks again for your help, I think I will look into this more over the xmas break.

Im on IS, and me and exp have arranged our own agreement. I contacted IS when he started giving me it saying that exp is giving me maintenance and theyve taken it off. Has it changed?

Just going by the information on the website it seems that that is the case for new claims. Unless there are any circumstances where to get in touch with an x would cause distress or anything, and that wouldn't be the case with me.