£126 a week extra I need to earn

[NotALotToyouButitistome]

Single parent to a disabled DC, who already does the maximum they can cope with in childcare.

I work 3 days a week, and even if DC could cope with more childcare I’d be worse off working than I am now due to loss of some UC and the extra childcare and the travel expenses (I drive but can’t afford to run my own car so buses and/or taxis, no train station within walking distance) – even with claiming it back via UC, because they only pay 85%.

I claim UC, DLA and CB on top of my wages. CMS cannot find an income for my DC’ dad so that’s a no go and I’ve taken it to mandatory reconsideration and they still can’t find an income for him, he’s listed as a volunteer in his only job and his only expenses claimed are £15 a week for lunches – which CMS say is well below the minimum wages allowed to have to pay CMS.

I need £126 a week extra, just to survive so about £400 extra a month and I need to be able to do it from home.

I can’t move due to court ordered contact between DC and Ex and my housing association don’t have any houses that are cheaper in the area so I’m tied into £650 a month rent. I already have the cheapest broadband, no TV packages, no steaming services that have to be paid for. My phone contract is paid by work (they know I use it as a personal phone as well) and I still can’t survive, I feel like the worst mum. Rent, transport and childcare are my biggest expenses and I can do nothing about them.

I have to spend around £200 a month on electric due to DCs disabilities and needing specific things like sleeping with a light on (we’ve tried nightlights they didn’t like them, it has to be the full light) and leaving the bathroom light on all night so they can navigate the hallway.

Any other ideas?

Are you sure you are worse off working? You should have a 379 pound disregard of wages straight off then only 55p in pound deducted from entitlement.

Grrrr your ex is a piss take capable of working and deliberately not to avoid paying for his child, his parents must be so proud.

Social tariff broadband may save you a bit.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/compare-broadband-deals/broadband-social-tariffs/

Check that you've got the lowest possible energy lightbulbs - they cost a tiny amount even if they're on all night. Our library will give you some free LEDs if you're in need - there may be a similar scheme near you.
https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/save-energy/free-energy-saving-kits

Look into charity grants. The most obvious example would be the Retail Trust as you say you're a retail worker, but there may be others related to your location, background or your child's medical condition.
https://www.retailtrust.org.uk/financial-aid

Recheck your benefits entitlement. Childcare allowances have just been increased.

You ex is a prick.

Have you tried applying for a discretionary housing payment if you’re struggling with rent?

And guilt trip the hell out of your child's grandparents.

Or a grant from the family fund or other organisations? https://www.familyfund.org.uk/

No family help, my parents won't help - they have their reasons.

My Exs parents will help him with childcare but not me because I ended our marriage due to his violence that they don't believe and as he only has DD for 2 nights EOWend he doesn't need it.

I can't afford to go back to court to move and even if I could afford to, I don't really know where I'd go. Here is all I've ever known. I wouldn't want to go without a job that pays at least what I earn now and a school for DD - which with her disabilities might be difficult as she has very specific needs and an EHCP.

Agree, very unlikely to be worse of working especially with disabled child and carers elements on a Uc claim plus work allowance and total Uc claim likely to be pretty high in the first place before earnings deducted.

It sounds really tough op.

Would your school/doctor or someone refer you to a food bank so you just get 1 3-4 days off worrying about food.

I dont really have any suggestions to earn more

I did do a morning club at a school for a few years, before i went to my actual job, which worked as my children were there.

You can't be stuck to living in your village though?

You are allowed to move a reasonable distance even with a prohibitive steps order in place.

Can you pick up extra shifts EOW or are you already working then?

Go on Indeed website and type ‘Remote’ in the location field, then filter down to Part Time. Loads of home working jobs come up. Good luck.

Funkily enough, a Parish Clerk job pops up, as someone mentioned earlier.

Are you sure you can't get CA? Childcare expenses increase the amount you can earn and still qualify. Same with pension contributions. At one point it was worth me paying £20 a week into a pension so I could claim the CA.

I also wonder if your UC claim has an error here somewhere. My circumstances are similar to yours but even higher bills due to disability.

Thank you everyone willl look into all of this. Some really good suggestions.

I earn £214 a week so well over the earnings limit. It is what it is.

50% of your earnings can be disregarded as an expense for CA if you are paying that much for care.

Watersure, Aquacare PLus or a social tariff. Ring the water co and see what they offer.

Can you do agency bank shifts as a care worker or support worker on the weekends when your DC is with your ex? Uber driving or delivery when your DC is with the dad (who sounds awful) - sorry, can't remember if you said you had a car or not. Some recruitment agencies also look for bar or waiting staff for specific events/functions, so you can choose to work when you have availability. If you have a degree, you could do online tutoring (FindATutor, MyTutor etc) - this is great because it's flexible.

Clerk to school governors, virtual meetings mainly. We are always desperate.

Are you getting 25% discount Single adult discount on your council tax?

Hi OP.

I ran your numbers through a benefits calculator, and using your figure of £15kpa salary, and including DD middle rate care, it comes up with a monthly award of £1,222.50.

Then add in your net monthly salary on £15k...£1,185.20.

Total per month= £2,407.70.

Taking that and deducting your £650 rent, then allowing another £650 for you and DD food and general groceries, and allowing £400 for your high utilities monthly amount, leaves £707.70 for everything else. Does this sound right to you?

Someone on here suggested increasing pension contributions so your income goes done and then you could get carers allowance?

Also, I missed the bottom of the page where you also get £104 child benefit a month, so that changes the £707.70 to £811.70

And (can you tell I did this half asleep!) I also missed off the DLA you will receive, which is £295.10 p/mth, taking your "left over" £811.70 up to £1,106.80.

OP if you have £1,100 left over per month after paying your rent, £650 on one adult and one child's groceries and £400 just for utilities, and you are still like £450 short, then you need to look at your outgoings. Especially if you say you are on the absolute lowest phone/TV etc tarriffs.

Look at Olio app for free food & free other items

Look at the app "Too Good To Go" we have received huge bags of food for £3.50
You have to collect yourself
You cannot choose what you receive
We freeze some
If you receive a huge amount, you can share with others

Maths is not my strong point
Perhaps someone can calculate for you
20 hours working - are you better off ?
21 hours working - are you better off ?
Etc up to full time

What happens if you work nights instead of days, will you be paid a higher rate ?