Newly single parent in Ireland. How will I cope financially?

[innerstrengthagain]

My ex only
Contributes approx10% of our kids expenses.
Are there any supports available to
Me please?
I'm too embarrassed to go to
My social welfare office.
Two teens and one preteen.

School, medical and dental costs are crippling me and their Dad won't share these costs with me.
Thanks for reading.

Hi innerstrength. Honestly, don't be embarrassed going to the social welfare office. That's what it's there for. Are you eligible for a medical card?

Also, are you eligible for the back to school payments? It is tough. We're middle earners and not eligible for anything bar child benefit.

I don't know ?
I earn approx e65k per year and have three kids.
My ex pays me maintenance but no legal
Document yet to ensure he does.
He pays e550 pcm for everything.

Are you saying your DC cost €5500 per month?

Its probably time to cut back and make a budget, regardless of final maintenance arrangements.

Chase up child support. Make the useless shirtless bastard pay his way. He legally owes support for his children, he doesn't get to choose how much he gives. Don't just roll over and take pennies from someone who owes pounds.

And don't worry about welfare being embarrassing, it's there to support children and families. Many people are having a tough time atm, thats why we have a welfare system.

*shiftless

Wait...65k a year? Is that a typo? Fuck me op i could feed a family of 5 on that. What thr Heck are you doing with money that you are debating welfare on 65k a year ffs.

Get a budget sorted.

How are the costs crippling you, is something missing here?

Ireland is expensive and it’s euro’s not pounds. Plus might have to pay into a pension, high mortgage etc etc

go online and see what you are entitled to.

My mortgage , car loan, high fuel costs, education and medical
Costs are very high.
My car fuel alone costs e 440 per month for example.

My take home pay per month is e 3500 pcm for context.

I don't know the Irish welfare system but is there an online calculator (it's called turn to us in the U.K.) you can see if you are eligible. I strongly doubt it would be much because that's a substantial income and generous child maintenance compared to many. I know all countries have different living costs but Ireland isn't that different to the U.K.. the sad reality is most of us have to move - my house is half the size of my old one!

Are your kids in private school? Because if you’re paying private fees, I can see why you would struggle on that salary.

Otherwise, I can’t imagine you would be entitled to anything.

Surely you’d be better off googling rather than posting in the relationships topic of a site used largely by UK parents ?

Try

www.gov.ie/en/category/social-welfare/

www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/

Thanks for responding to all pps.
I asked on the off chance that someone may be able to guide me. It's all new to me.
I have three kids with varying special needs and health issues and our health system is costly.
Thanks for the links also.

Have you got all your tax credits? There is a single parent tax credit that you may be entitled to.

www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/children/single-person-child-carer-credit/how-do-you-qualify-for-the-spccc.aspx

Links here

I only lived in the republic for 3 years, but their social welfare system is more generous/realistic than ours, TBF.

But it’s an unusual woman who finds herself on her own with DC and does not suffer a drop in living standards.

You will definitely be entitled to a GP card at the very least, I would think a medical card too which has far reaching benefits beyond just paid healthcare.

See details here www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/about-the-medical-card/what-it-covers/

Why are your fuel costs so high ? Any chance you could work remotely to cut down on them ?

Why don't you give citizens advice a call? They are great for this sort of stuff!

Also my friend who is a single mum is in touch with an org called onefamily. (onefamily.ie/).

You are exactly the sort of person who should be helped by social welfare, please don't be embarresed!!!

Have you gone to see a solicitor re maintenance? If your ex is on a similar salary to you, that is low maintenance for 3 children.

Make sure you apply for the back to school allowance as as far as I know your mortgage is taken into account so if your repayments are very high then you might still be entitled. Same with gp visit card. If you are really struggling your best bet would be an appointment with MABS. You have a very good income and add on childrens allowance and the maintenance you receive you might just need help managing your finances and getting yourself straightened out. There is absolutely nothing at all to be embarrassed about most of us have found ourselves struggling at one time or another.

You could always phone social welfare or citizens information?

Try this forum - www.boards.ie/categories/state-benefits
The also have a parenting section where you might be able to get some information from others in a similar situation.

Also MABS.ie might be of use to you in getting payments/debts restructured to give you more day to day income.

mortgage is not taken into account, op won't qualify on those wages, unless she has a million children

@innerstrengthagain if your children have special needs, do they have medical cards, are you receiving DCA., You are on a very healthy income combined with the maintenance you are already receiving you would be bringing in more than most couples with kids.