Newly single mum and need advice on finances

[Kittylm90]

Hello,

I need some help/advice from anyone who is in or has been in a similar situation if possible please?

I’m a single mum of a baby below 1. I’ve recently moved out of my home with my ex partner and moved in with my friend (on a temporary basis). I’ve recently left my job after finishing maternity leave due to change in circumstance and travel and am looking to work again on a 2/3 day basis somewhere more convenient. I have spoken to universal credit about any financial help I am eligible to have, alongside using the online calculator. From what it looks like adding both my wage and the benefits I may be able to claim and putting the potential of renting a x2 bed house at 1,200 pm (this seems to be the going rate for any property like this) with child care costs at 900 pm (3 days a week). I would have next to nothing to live on that remains, not mentioning petrol/food/phone etc.

My ex pays child support but this would be included. Is it my responsibility to be covering all child care? I feel this is really unfair if so. Am I missing anything here?

Like I said any info would be great and before anyone mentions, I don’t have anyone else to help with childcare on days I am working and have thought about a x1 bedroom flat- however, would like to see if there is a way of actually living opposed to surviving in a property too small.

Thankyou in advance!

So you're a single Mum of a child under one and, having finished Maternity Leave then resigned, no income.

Universal Credit will pay you a Standard Allowance for your living expenses plus an amount for your child. If you rent a home they'll add a Housing Cost Element but limited to the 2 bed Local Housing Allowance (LHA) for your area. If you've got Childcare Costs the'll be paid in accordance with UC ceilings etc.

Child Benefit and Maintenance for the child (but not you) are disregarded.

BAsed on LHA of £1200, earnings of £300/week and childcare of £150/week UC would be around £1900/month.

Does that help?

have you looked at the entitled to website and used their calculator? its useful as a guide as to how much you would receive, you can input different amounts

if you can try ad reduce your rent, as the UC will have a limit in your area (all areas will be different) and find out what that is and find somewhere that is cheaper?

Also as you ares of surfing and with a baby, you could put your name down for social housing and possible get temporary accommodation for a while and get social housing which would be less money renting?

Can you not work on the days dad has the little one ? This will save on nursery.

You will be entitled to single adult discount on your council tax.

People claiming UC seem to get most of their childcare paid as well as their rent and extra money on top of their salary.

There is a "tax free childcare" scheme with 20% discount on bills up to £2000 per year per child but not sure if you still get that if you are claiming UC, presume not as they pay a much higher proportion of your childcare cost anyway, 85% for some people apparently!

Child benefit if you earn under £50k is £20 per week.

Living alone Council tax is reduced to 75%.

Does a one year old really need their own bedroom?

Yes, it's a complete joke that fathers do not pay their 50% of the child's costs. When is the baby with him? Can you work more then?

With a rental of £1200 per month, UC likely won't cover all of it. See above link for LHA rates for your area. You'll have to make up the shortfall.

I'd look at a cheaper 1 bedroom rental for the next few years.

I'll be frank, OP, you may struggle to get a rental being on UC. A lot of estate agents (and landlords) will not even look at folks on UC even if they are working. And, if they do, you will likely need a guarantor.

If you are on the lease of your old home, any chances in Hades that your ex move out so you can move back in? I assume he is working so will easier for him to rent another place...

Alternatively, you could try applying for council housing but I'm not sure if you qualify if you made yourself 'intentionally' homeless.

You will get 85% of childcare costs covered by UC. Child maintenance doesn't affect Uc so you get to keep all tat on top of the Uc and wages on top of UC. Agree with previous posters that you possibly stand a better chance of securing a rental if you are working.