Benefits

Benefits

I frequently get asked what benefits are available for lone parents to receive. Well there are a few but before you get excited and think you will be rolling in money and not have to work , be prepared for a downgrade in this assumption . And probably a down grade in most things in your life. The media portrayal that a single mum on benefits is raking it in is just a myth.

The advice given here is aimed at single mums however the official sites to get the most up to date information are

Direct Gov

Advice Guide

Entitled To, now known as Turn2Us

Please check with these sites for the most current and up-to-date information as each single mums situation is different and the information here is only a guide.

Being a single mum is not an easy option. In general it’s a struggle but with a bit of sideways thinking it can be achievable.It can be daunting though when presented with a list of benefits you can claim. It can also be a challenge actually filling in all the right forms to the right people at the right times. If you asked each of the departments which to fill in first they will all say their form is the most important form to fill in first.

They are all rather cagey too as to what you can receive and when you will get it too. They don’t want to say one thing only for you to find when all the paper work has been done, it’s a lot less. They all pay at different time intervals as well just to complicate things further. For example you probably pay your rent on a monthly bases, normally last or first day of the month. Housing benefit though is paid every 4 weeks so it does get out of sync at some point.

So what benefits are there for lone parents:

Benefit Limits if any Where From Payment Schedule Effects Other Benefits Read More
Income Support
  • Work less than 16 hpw
  • Age between 18 – 60
  • 16/17 may qualify if pregnant or have a child
 Fortnightly Yes read more on Income Support
Housing/Council Tax Benefit
  • Savings under £16,000 to qualify.
 Your local council Every 4 weeks Yes read more on housing benefit 
Sure start Maternity Grant
  • In receipt of certain benefits
 Direct Gov One off Payment of £500 No read more on sure start 
Child Tax Credits HM Revenue & Customs Can be weekly Not normally but check read more on child tax credits
Working Tax Credits
  • Need to be working more than 16 hpw
 HM Revenue & Customs Can be weekly Not normally but check read more on working tax credits 
Child Benefit HM Revenue & Customs Monthly but you can request weekly No read more on child benefit
Child Maintenance
  • Private arrangement
  • CSA
 Monthly Only after £20pw and in receipt of certain benefits read more on child maintenance
Returning to Work
Job Grant
  • Start working at least 16 hpw
  • Been in receipt of certain benefits for more than 26 weeks
 Automatic through Jobcentre Plus
  • One off lump sum
  • £100 no children
  • £250 with children
 No read more on job grant
In Work Credit
  • Start working 16 hpw or more
  • Must have been claiming Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance for at least 52 weeks.
 Jobcentre Plus weekly No read more on in work credit
New Deal for Lone Parents
  • Youngest child under 16
  • Not working /working less 16 hpw
 Jobcentre Plus No read more on New Deal

This subject is a work in progress, as I find out and write more then more will get added.

When claiming benefits it’s a good idea to: Take copies of completed claim forms and letters before you send them off. Keep a record of the date, time and the person you spoke to if you contact them in person or by phone. If you think they have made a mistake in working out your claim its worth getting advice from CAB. Don’t assume just because they are a government agency doesn’t mean they always get it right or that you can’t appeal the decision.

The articles in the benefits sections, including this page, have no affiliation links attached. Find out why I do use the occasional affiliate link