I want to change jobs and work less hours. Advice please?

[MrsPtobe]

Hi everyone, this might be a long winded post but I'm rather confused so any help or advice you can give I would be most grateful.

I currently work 40 hours a week, in a very stressful job. My DS has just started reception and is now attending school 5 days a week. He is currently being assessed for autism, and I think my being at work so much is affecting him. He has some behavioural issues (only at home, not at school).

My partner works full time, from home. I'd just like some advice on how worse off we would be if I were to leave my current job and get another job with less hours. I've looked at the benefits calculator and it tells me we'd be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be very grateful.

I still want to work, but I also want to be there more for my little one. I'm not able to take him to school or pick him up, and sometimes I'm only in from work for ten minutes before he's off to bed. I feel like I'm missing out.

Thanks in advance.

MrsPtobe

 

[LoraLoo]

I think it depends on your income really. DH works full time znd I'm a sahm- our house is mortgaged but calculator says we wouldn't be entitled to council tax or housing benefit anyways.

If you get tax credits it's likely you would get more due to decreased income.

I'm obviously unaware of the care your son needs but I know other parents that claim dla and carers allowance for their children too, which may be worth considering if you don't already.

 

[Dinah93]

Check with your local council, council tax benefit is now controlled locally not nationally so while the calculators say we're entitled, we don't meet the local criteria which is circumstance based not income assessed. Does your son receive DLA? I was made redundant as my daughter's medical needs were severely impacting on my ability to do my job, so I now do a few self employed/work from home jobs. I put in more hours, and make less money, but I'm always there when she has a few hospital days or is just poorly. I can claim careers due to her needing 35+ hours a week care. We get carers, DLA and child tax credit, between us we make maybe £20k a year but probably not even that most years.