In 2013 a new benefit called Universal Credit will gradually replace the current, complex system of working-age benefits and Tax Credits. What is Universal Credit? Universal Credit will be means tested for people of working age. It will be one credit for people whatever their employment status. Its aim is to be simpler than the complex system we have at the moment where separate benefits are administered by different agencies. From 2013/14 Universal Credit will replace ... VIEW POST
Universal Credit
In Work Credit and Return to Work Credit Change
Someone asked me if the In Work Credit was still available. It is . There are two different credits. Return to Work Credit - for those with a health condition or disability In Work Credit - for those without a health condition or disability. This is from the Direct Gov website ... Return to Work Credit is a tax-free payment of £40 per week for people that have, or have had, a health condition or disability. It can be payable for up to 52 weeks as long as: ... VIEW POST
Which Benefits are Changing and When
I keep getting asked what benefits are changing and when. So with kind permission from Turn2us I have added the list of which benefits are changing and when. In 2010 the Government announced several cuts to welfare spending to make welfare more affordable, bringing the total welfare savings to £18 billion per year by 2014-15. A calendar of the main changes to benefits and the benefits system is provided below. ... VIEW POST
My A to Z of Being a Single Parent
Attitude. As a single parent, you get tarred with the same brush and either people think you have an unsavoury attitude or they will have an attitude with you for being a single parent. Benefits. Some single parents are entitled to them and yes some of us do claim them. They can be a godsend to get you through the rough times and contrary to popular belief most of us don’t actually like being on benefits. Caffeine in copies amounts to get you through the day. Diplomatic. ... VIEW POST
Going Self Employed as a Single Mum
It used to be the argument should a mum go back to work. Now it seems the argument is how can a mum return to work. In the current work and economic climate, it's not that easy. Add into the mix being a single parent and it can be a nightmare so could go self-employed be the answer for a single mum? I worked full time for many years and just the process of getting out the house in the morning was nearly a full day's work. Having two children they were at one point at different schools, at ... VIEW POST
10 Things I have learned being a Single Mum
With being a single parent for the last ten years I have learned a few things I might never have learned if I was still married. 1 - I learned that even though life has moved on from the Victorian era, some people's views haven't moved with it. Negatively and prejudices against single mums is still out there. 2 - I learned that I am a lot stronger than I ever thought I was. 3 - I learned that there a lot of DIY jobs that I, as a woman, can actually do. I won't be fobbed off ... VIEW POST