leaving work after maternity - benefit entitlement?

[DorisDoesntDance]

i'm a lone parent. i worked full time prior to maternity leave in a job involving incredibly varied and anti-social hours and days/weeks away from home. the organisation is very small and my role very specialist.

i can't see how i can do this job after maternity leave finishes and am very sure a flexible working request would be denied - it needs someone able to travel, work late and weekends and work away from home.

if i resign at the end of mat leave, can i claim jsa or income support whilst looking for a suitable part time job? and how much is it?

Look here for info on JSA, its a maximum of £67.50 per week. Income support is paid at same max rate. It may be worth speaking to your employer about possibilities before handing in your notice anyway.

thanks.

do i claim one or both?

sadly, i know flexi will be refused

You should get Child Tax Credit as well I think. Plus housing benefit and council tax benefit. But could be sanctioned at first for resigning your job. (Or maybe not, if your child is under 6)

Things for you to check out - my expertise is a little rusty.

oops as your child is under 6!

If you don't ask you don't get. Even if you 99% sure that your flex request will be refused there is still a 1% chance they'll agree to it. Don't rush onto benefits you'll find it very hard to get off them.

A better idea might be to spend your remaining mat leave looking for a more child friendly job.

I have to say I would agree -do do a formal request for flexiable working - do you have some child care arranged
and even a not that well paid job would still normally leave quite a bit better off than benifits- you could get some child care cost etc