Benefits calculator says I'm worse off to work - is this possible?!!!

[thesilverlining]

I always thought I was better off getting off IS as soon as poss and getting to work part time for the WTC - as recently single parent again I have found suddenly this doesn't seem to be the case - can this be possible?

I have used two different websites (one being my local councils) and I seem to lose more HB and CTB than i gain in WTC and wages......I would be working hard for a measly £70 or so profit over IS PER MONTH and would obviously lose DCs free school meals and milk tokens.......

Can anyone enlighten me?

I think they should at least cover the chilcare if you work less than 16 hours and then let you keep the £20 they do now.

It's ridiculous that I went back to work yet had to leave and go back on benefits because of the system, not because I really wanted to.

It makes no sense to me at all.

(Oh and I was going for the word Sunday in PP, no idea what Subday is!)

hey Muggglewump, havent seen yo in ages! how are you? Ds turned 1 the other week!

oi timorous hijacking my thread!!!! LOL

RIGHT IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Discovered today when spoke to job centre childminding has a two thirds disregard when it comes to benefits - so if I am earning say £120 per week only £40 of that will be used for my benefits calculations - I am seriously seriously better off (ie well over £100 a week) returning to work part time as a childminder.....

Still leaves me few days to do OU courses - and I will have serious disposable income

Just thought you would all be interested to hear that wee snippet there!!!

TWB.
I saw the pirate pics. He's gorgeaous and N's double!

Glad all is going well for you, DP (any news on the wedding?) and DC

thesilver - that sounds good - are you a registered childminder already?

Hello!

Just wanted to add my piece in here as I was so glad to see this post!

I work for the ambulance service, 25 hours a week (three long days consnidering the commute is just over 3 hours per day) and have a 3 year old daughter.
I only see her for 3 days out of 7, because of work, and seeing her dad at the weekend.

I have just found out I can claim IS, concentrate on the OU course I've signed up for but hardly had any time to do, see my daughter a lot more - and I'll only be £30 a week worse off.

I love our benefits system, I've worked since I was 14, I'm 24 now, thank you England for giving lone parents the chance to look after their children and study for their future : )

x

Just to add my own update. I passed the tests I did on Sunday and have the final stage, the interview on Saturday 16th. If I get through that I'll have a job.

I'm nervous as hell but excited too.

mugggle - woohoo well done you!

missyoung - great isn't it? I mean so many women who were SAHM until H decides to walk out shouldn't suddenly have to go out to work should they on top of everything else they have to deal with! I am glad you realised you could make it work for you x

FAQ - yes I am - but of course some other news has come up now (ie I am bloody pregnant believe it or not! obviously Hs) so I am going to have to just sit on IS and wait for MA to kick in - luckily have worked enough weeks and paid enough NI already in my "test period" to be eligible......

what a shocker hey? But now way I can work now for several years lets be honest. Only allowed 3 children under 5 incluiding my own anyway as CM so I'll have no space :-(

I have started working 16 hours per week, I can't believe it but I am worse off by over £10 per week. Hb and CTB reduced lots school meals gone, travel expensive to pay, etc* I can't beleive it. They want you to go out to work and make it harder for you, WHY?????

I can't believe I just read through this entire thread without realising it's two years old.

But wrt the last poster, instead of giving your DC school dinners, make them a packed lunch. That will save you quite a bit every week. Sometimes you have to see the longer term picture in that you're better off, in ways other than just financial, working than not.

Same here!

thesilverlining When I first went back to work I was only 40 a month better off... it was pretty painful but 7 years later I earn nearly 40k a year. If I had gone on benefits instead I'd still be on them now and would be looking forward (not) to it being reduced to jobseekers only once DD turns 11... It is shit but you really are better off working.

God, what happened there??!!