please can you explain how a single parent on benefits will be affected post-budget

[dizzy55]

I hope there's someone out there who can help with this.. I can't find out how my benefits will be affected by the budget cuts. I am a lone parent, receieve no child maintenance from my ds father , and live in a 2 bed terrace with one child. We are just surving as it is. Also I cant seem to find out what cuts are to be made to income support, council tax, and working tax credit as I am trying to get back to work asap.

Thanks in advance.

The changes announced on tax credits affected those on moderate - high incomes. If you are on a very low income you should not be affected. Income support will continue to rise but it is now pegged to a different price index. Housing benefit will be capped at the 30th percentile of local rents. Council tax credit wasn't specifically mentioned. Maybe run your details through www.entitledto.com to make sure that you're claiming everything you can at present. Also, contact the CSA regarding support for your child from his father.

Thanks so much, much appreciated. Will check out the site. As for child's father, he lives abroad, and ensures he makes no contact with us, and he doesn't work. So guessing nothing will happen there.