Working Single Parents (UK)

[Crumbsx]

I am just looking for advice really.

I'm 19 years old. I have a 10 month old LO. I only have GCSE's in terms of qualifications. I get the usual benefits (IS, CTC, CB).

Anyway, I really want to go to work part time (15 hours a week). I'd have to pay for childcare myself as family/friends can't help.

So I was wondering:
- does anyone have any ideas what little part time jobs could I do?
- would I be able to afford to go back to work for only 15 hours a week, pay for 15 hours of childcare a week and manage to cope financially? Would I get less benefits etc?

I'm CLUELESS. Any advice is greatly appreciated. thanks.

 

[Kate&Lucas]

You'd be better off working at least 16 hours, any less and you won't qualify for Working Tax Credit. You'll get upto 70% of your childcare costs paid on top of this too. You won't be entitled to income support, but your child benefit and child tax credit will stay the same, and you will still get some housing benefit and council tax benefit, it'll just be reduced.
If you speak to the Jobcentre they an work out how much better off you'll be if you start working. For the first year you also get an extra £40 per week on top of wages as an incentive to find work. I know for me they worked out I'll be £50 better off per week if I start work part time, after childcare and rent is paid, plus the extra £40 for the first year. All I need now is to find a job!
As for jobs, have a look on the Directgov site to see what's going in your area. A lot of places are taking on Christmas temps atm but they might be keeping some staff on permanent so it's worth applying

 

[Crumbsx]

Thanks for all that information, it really helpful!
I just really want to get back to work, as long as I break even or am abit better off it's fine I feel really bad leaving my LO though!
Thanks again x