Soon to be single mother of 2 - Are tax credits a good money solution??

[mama2moo]

I have found out that my dp and father of our 2 children is leaving me soon. He doesnt know that I know this so I am getting myself ready.

I privately rent our home from my brother so know I wont get help for my rent.

I have just done an online calculation for tax credits and it says I can get £700 a month from tax credits because I work 16 hours a week and will be single.

This will keep my head above water and allow me to provide for my children.

But, is this a good way to do it? Until my eldest starts school this year I am reluctant to increase my working hours because of childcare costs for 2.

Any ideas or advice? Thanks

That's what they're there for. Why on earth wouldn't you make use of them. As for your rent, you can get HB for private rented so long as you have a legal tenancy agreement. I'm not sure about renting from family but I would check it with CAB before assuming you are not entitled.

I'm sorry you're facing this. Good luck.

Thank you! A few of my friends have had problems with tax credits, hence me asking if there is another option!

CAB is a great idea, thanks.

Im glad that I am in the position to 'get ready' before he goes IYSWIM. Not looking forward to telling my children

Thanks again.

Our TC claims have always been straight forward enough. Never had many problems with them apart from the occasional over payment which they seem to back at a fair enough rate from the next years payments and if you think they're taking too much you can ask for it to be lowered.

It is not impossible to get HB if renting from family, tenancy agreement really helps (have recently been to CAB myself about this).

If your youngest is under 5 you could get Income Support. CAB will be able to help you make sense of it all.

Plus he should pay maintenance - Child Maintenance Options can help explain how this should work. Family Mediation good too, to help you work out access if there are any problems, they work from the point of view of the child's best interests

Thanks all. I havent had any problems either but it seems like a lot of money to be getting compared with now!

CAB will be my next stop. I used the Entitled to calculator which didnt show any housing benefit but its something to try.

I think dp will already know what child maintenance he will pay and I would imagine it will be generous.