benefits

[hatsoff]

Anyone out there single and living off benefits? and/or statutory maternity pay? Friend of mine is due to have her second child. She's single and if I were her I would be pretty scared. How skint does the state let a single mum be?

when me and exh split I wasn't working and had two little ones to feed and I got around £130 a week to live on, He also left me with alot of debt and CSA took forever (2 yrs) to come through so yeah £130 plus child benefit 120 a mth. It is scary but if u budget very very very well then she should be ok. It is so hard hence why I started working four mths later as it was alot more benefical finance wise.

i lived on benefits for a year and a half i think it was. i got income support, child tax credit, housing and council tax benefits, maintenance from exp which we arranged ourselves, and child benefit. it was difficult but like MAS said if she budgets well, she'll be fine. I somehow managed it, but even going back to work hasnt made any real difference to me financially. Say to her to go to citizens advice if she can. She should be able to be told what she can be entitled too.

oops forgot about the other benefits too. I couldn't get these as I was still living in the family home and exh still payed the morgage. Agree with TB ref the CAB also ur pal should speak to a lone parents adviser to dicuss exactally what shes entitled to and also to find out wether she would be better off working or not as this really depends on circumstances.

thanks guys. She's extremely sensible and good with money - not exactly rolling in it now she's working but her dd never goes without anything, so if anyone can cope I'm sure she can. Your answers reassure me a bit!

oh if shes working, then she can get working tax credit too, and should be able to get up to 70% help with childcare if she hasnt already

she's working now but giving up to have second baby