Benefits for a single mum

[RuRu]

Can anyone tell me how much benefit a woman is entitled to with 2 children and no income?  The eldest is 6 and the other is under 1.  She will be receiving regular Child Support from her ex-boyfriend (father of both kids), and will be on maternity leave for another 8 months.  Are there schemes that will help with mortgage repayments as well other bills etc?  If she gets a part-time job, how will this affect her benefit?

[Peahead66]

I would contact you local benefits agency and ask them as each case will be assessed according to circumstances so it would not be possible to give you a figure based on the information you have given.

[phae]

it all depends on you circumstances, but i'l base my advice on what i get..... you need to apply for INCOME SUPPORT.  you get about �131 per week.  you will also get milk tokens for 14 pints of milk a week. child support is in addition to this. I presume you wont get ny becoz the father is paying, otherwise, this is an additional 113 per month. if you live alone, you should get all your council tax paid for.  with regard to the mortgage, its a really tricky system. provided you havent remortgaged in last 4 years you can apply.  they will only pay the interest on the mortgage. it not good. my mortgage was tiny, �207per month.  when i applied they wouldnt pay more than �49!!!! I am now renting and they pay �259 Per week!!!! its a mad system. Most women will tell you that if they go to work, pay for childcare etc., they are only between �11 and �37 per week better off??? there is little incentive to start work using their schemes.  hope all this help a bit...

[Kathyan]

If she claims Income Support, then money received from Child Support will be deducted. She will only be able to earn a certain amount before this affects benefits. It used to be �15.00 a week but may have gone up.