I frequently get asked what benefits are available for a single mum 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.
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 options are there for lone parents:
| Benefit | Limits if any | Where From | Payment Schedule | Effects Other Benefits | Read More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income Support |
|
|
Fortnightly | Yes | more details on Income Support |
| Housing/Council Tax Benefit |
|
Your local council | Every 4 weeks | Yes | more details on housing/council benefit |
| Sure start Maternity Grant |
|
Direct Gov | One off Payment of £500 | No | more details on Sure start maternity grant |
| Child Tax Credits | HM Revenue & Customs | Can be weekly | Not normally but check | more details on Child Tax Credit | |
| Working Tax Credits |
|
HM Revenue & Customs | Can be weekly | Not normally but check | more details on Working Tax Credit |
| Child Benefit | HM Revenue & Customs | Monthly but you can request weekly | No | more details on Child Benefit | |
| Child Maintenance |
|
Monthly | Only after £20pw and in receipt of certain benefits | more details on Child Maintenance | |
| Returning to Work | |||||
| Job Grant |
|
Automatic through Jobcentre Plus |
|
No | more details on Job Grant |
| In Work Credit |
|
Jobcentre Plus | weekly | No | more details on In Work Credit |
| New Deal for Lone Parents |
|
Jobcentre Plus | No | more details 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.
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