you may even be better off then (not sure how much WTC you get though so I may be wrong!)

thank for the replies. at the min i earn about 400 a month which goes on travel and rent etc. all im left with is my tax credits each week . i need to leave as my childminder is crap keeps letting me down and it is realy to far. 2 hrs away they wont transfer me to a store 10 min walk away. xx

that's if you're claiming JSA Sarah (either childless or part of a couple). it's irrelevant if you're a single parent as you're entitled to Income Support and don't have to be looking for a job until LO older (for us it will be 7yo when we have to start looking if not already working).

OP - You will be entitled to IS which if you're over 25 is around £60 a week, CTC which for one child under 1 works out at about £55 per week & would drop to around £45 per week once baby turns one (assuming they have you on correct amount atm this is what you'd get per week approx, if they're overpaying you atm then you may get less but could appeal if it is dramatically less & get them to recover overpayment slower). You also get CB which is currently aorund £18 for one child. That's your money to spend on food, bills, clothes, little treats etc. You would also be entitled to Housing benefit to pay rent (NB if you have a mortgage you will NOT get any help towards it for something like 41 weeks & then it would be interest only), amount depends on your local authority but new system means it is one set amount for size of house you "need" - 2bed with one child (or 2 under 10, do you have another child?) so if you ask at local CAB or childrens centre they will prob be able to tell you what maximum you would get is, if your rent is more then you either need to consider moving or you will have to pay rest out of your living money. Council tax will always be covered by CTB while you're on Income Support. It's hard to live on it but it is possible, you just have to try to think before you spend money (or else you end up in debt lol)

im an single parent and get (roughly) £60 from child tax and £60 from income.

u might not be able to sign on for either 6 weeks or weeks months if u live work on ur own accord.

hth

Hi, Just a word of warning.....I think if you give up your job voluntarily you aren't entitled to the same as if you never had a job in the first place, as you're making yourself un-employed! I would look into it before you do anything just in case!

Hi Sheree!

I'm an unemployed single parent, I get around £110 per wk, I think lol. It's made up of child tax credit, child benefit and income support. I'm sure how much you have earned in the last tax year affects your ctc though. Hth.

Nic xx

Hi,

I find the direct gov website useful

if unemployed you should be entitled to child tax credits and since you are a single parent you will entitled to a fair bit. if you go on the tax credit website you can do an online form which will work out how much you are entitled to.

hth x

thanks you ill do that . xx

hi, the best thing to do is contact the job centre they will beable to tell you what you are entitled to and how much you will recieve. they are there to help and can even get you into a course if you want. gl

im a single parent

I think the amount ur partner earns makes a difference to any money u'd be entitled to? xx

i am thinking of giving up work as its too far for the money im getting. i have already left my management position due to the hours. would anyone know how much money a week i would be entilted to if i leave?

thank you girls. xx