Those on income support - need advice (long)

[CubaCat]

I'm a LP and due to a change of circumstances (health/mental health issues) I'm seriously considering leaving my job to become a SAHM for a while and going onto income support. A friend of a friend has become a SP due to divorce and she gets IS, TC's, full housing benefit, full council tax benefit, free school dinners, help with school uniform costs, free dentistry, free precriptions and free eye tests.

Does anyone know if the above is correct and whether there's anything else I'll be entitled to that she missed out, and roughly how much I can expect to receive to live on? I just want to get my head around a rough budget so I can prepare for the change in income. I have one child who's almost 4. If any of you have 1 child and are on IS, I'd love to know what monthly income you live on please (feel free to message me).

BTW, it's my first post on here so be gentle with me! Also, I don't want this to turn into a thread about the various merits (or otherwise) of working LP's/SAHM LP's/LP's on benefits - I'm looking for advice and info only please, not a flaming or a debate!

Hi Cordon, thanks but having had a good, long look at my income and expenditure in black and white (on a lovely, homemade spreadsheet!), and having the honest opinion of a very financially savvy friend, it's clear that I'm better off working. So I'm going to try and reduce/get rid of my nursery costs which will help save a lot of money, so that over the next 6-12 months I can start to get back on track again. Small steps will hopefully make a bit difference. Thanks everyone for your advice.

Cuba, are you getting tax credits as a single parent? if so, have you reported your nursery expenses to them? They can help to cover those costs.

Do try giving tax credits a ring and get them to reassess how much you're getting. You only work 2 hours a week more than me, and I get the full 80% childcare paid.

How will you cut down nursery costs? Have you got family to look after your DS?

Tax credits are also the people to call re free prescriptions etc, they should send you an "NHS Tax Credits Exemption card" As long as you are claiming tax credits and your income is below a certain amount (£15,505 I think) then you are entitled to one.