What is the incentive??

[Rosecottage888]

Went for a job interview yesterday, and got the job. I'm super excited about this role and the prospects, and it will be my first full time 'career' position since having my DS 9 years ago.

I made the decision when pregnant to work part time and be a sahm as much as possible, which resulted in working nights the first 5 years of his life so I could be with him during the day, then taking any office job based around school hours.
Since I split with his dad I have carried on working part time, as he works full time and abroad a lot so although we have 50/50 parental responsibility I have been here for school pickups and to help him out when he couldn't get back in time on his days etc.

So now, DS is nearly 10, and I'm ready to start focusing on my career again. I get the job - great! But then I notify tax credits, housing etc and I'm actually going to be nearly £400 a month worse off, despite an increase in wage and working double the hours.

I'm still going to take the job and make some SERIOUS cutbacks, but where is the incentive for single parents to go back to work? If I didn't want this job so bad I'd be saying na screw it ill stay part time and claim.

Not really asking for any advice because I can't do anything about it I just wanted a rant!!

That is rubbish :(

No advice to offer, but think long term it will be the best decision. Very disheartening though.

That is ridiculous, but well done for supporting your family yourself. Hopefully in a few years it will be worth it, and you're not at the mercy of changes to benefits

Someone I knew ended up giving up work for this very reason. She did want to work, but it just didn't make sense financially, after childcare and tax credits and so on. It's crazy.

Is it likely to get better over time? Can you progress and increase your earnings? Does it come with a pension or any other benefits that you wouldn't have had if you'd stay part time? It does seem ridiculous in the short term though.

I hope it will! In plan to work my backside off to increase in the pay scale as quickly as I can.

Anyway no going back now, I handed into notice today

Thanks for your replies, glad I'm not the only one who thinks the system's a tad unfair!

*in my

we lost £250 per month when dh wages increased and get no hand outs now. but i would rather have a job though. the whole systems bad - was a panorama prog recently which showed it all

Congratulations on getting a new job!

Will you be worse off because the salary for your new job is too low, or because your previous benefits were too high? It seems crazy that people receive more on benefits than they are able to earn, doesn't it?

Either way, it's worth short term economies for long term gain - getting back on the career ladder before you leave it too late is a good idea.

And you're setting a much better example to your son than you would be if relying on benefits.

Can DS's father help out? Would it be appropriate to ask for his maintenance to be re-assessed?