Hi,
Since my ex left me and our daughter, I am just about surviving, he's a good Dad and buys her lovely things for his house, I'm not really able to do that, she wouldn't have much at all if he wasn't in her life and I don't want it to carry on like this. Since we split I've had to move back home to my mum, which isn't really ideal, but I don't have much choice . I need things to change and the only way I can see it happening is by going to University and hopefully that way I'll have a better chance at getting myself a good career and getting out of this bloody benefit trap.
This could be a bit long winded, but please bare with me.
I'm self employed, I work 2 days per week, whilst my daughter is in private nursery. Catch 22; can't afford to put her in any more hours, therefore have no choice but to only work 2 days per week. My profit in the last tax year was £2800 :o quite a bit less than minimum wage. I'm in the middle of an advertising campaign for my business and i'm hoping with all this advertising that i'll earn minimum wage (at least) for my two days that I work over the next couple of years. I claim child benefit, child tax credits & working tax credits. I rely on these, if these were taken away I couldn't eat, therefore I believe I'm in a benefit trap and I want to get out.
I currently volunteer for the Labour Party, I love it, I want to do a degree in Politics, but before I can I need to go to College & complete my access course (this September hopefully) I'll be a mature student in my late 20's.
If all goes to plan, I want to keep my business (working 16 hours, no way could I do anymore) as well as study in College & University. My business is stress free, requires very little paperwork etc... It's just physical work. I don't think I could afford to give it up, even though it's not actually earning me much money.
My questions are -
1. If I start college in September & keep my business going (16 hours) will I still be entitled to WTC? Same question regarding University too.
2. If so, when UC comes, will I be expected to increase my working hours even though I'll be a full time student? (I don't think so as my child will be under 5, but if someone could clarify?)
3. When my daughter starts school (at some point in my degree) will I be expected to up my working hours under UC, even though I'll also be a full time student?
4. What help will I be entitled to as a mature student? Bare in mind I live with my Mum, who earns about £12,000 per year. I'm so scared of being in debt & never being able to pay it back, getting in trouble etc..
5. Will my child tax credit & child benefit be affected? Are they taken into account when assessing what help I'm entitled to?
6. If, at the end of my degree, I couldn't find work (hopefully worst case scenario) Could I go back as self employed? I'd be able to do it full time then, as my daughter would be in school, so would hopefully earn an acceptable profit. Would I be entitled to UC if it wasn't bringing much money in?
I know from a friend who has children and has just completed a degree, that she had her study fees paid (I know she has to pay them back when she's earning over a certain amount) she also got something called a maintenance grant which is re-payable. If I'm entitled to this grant, do I have to take it? I think I'd rather not, the thought of all this debt is terrifying me.
Any help/advice appreciated.
Since my ex left me and our daughter, I am just about surviving, he's a good Dad and buys her lovely things for his house, I'm not really able to do that, she wouldn't have much at all if he wasn't in her life and I don't want it to carry on like this. Since we split I've had to move back home to my mum, which isn't really ideal, but I don't have much choice . I need things to change and the only way I can see it happening is by going to University and hopefully that way I'll have a better chance at getting myself a good career and getting out of this bloody benefit trap.
This could be a bit long winded, but please bare with me.
I'm self employed, I work 2 days per week, whilst my daughter is in private nursery. Catch 22; can't afford to put her in any more hours, therefore have no choice but to only work 2 days per week. My profit in the last tax year was £2800 :o quite a bit less than minimum wage. I'm in the middle of an advertising campaign for my business and i'm hoping with all this advertising that i'll earn minimum wage (at least) for my two days that I work over the next couple of years. I claim child benefit, child tax credits & working tax credits. I rely on these, if these were taken away I couldn't eat, therefore I believe I'm in a benefit trap and I want to get out.
I currently volunteer for the Labour Party, I love it, I want to do a degree in Politics, but before I can I need to go to College & complete my access course (this September hopefully) I'll be a mature student in my late 20's.
If all goes to plan, I want to keep my business (working 16 hours, no way could I do anymore) as well as study in College & University. My business is stress free, requires very little paperwork etc... It's just physical work. I don't think I could afford to give it up, even though it's not actually earning me much money.
My questions are -
1. If I start college in September & keep my business going (16 hours) will I still be entitled to WTC? Same question regarding University too.
2. If so, when UC comes, will I be expected to increase my working hours even though I'll be a full time student? (I don't think so as my child will be under 5, but if someone could clarify?)
3. When my daughter starts school (at some point in my degree) will I be expected to up my working hours under UC, even though I'll also be a full time student?
4. What help will I be entitled to as a mature student? Bare in mind I live with my Mum, who earns about £12,000 per year. I'm so scared of being in debt & never being able to pay it back, getting in trouble etc..
5. Will my child tax credit & child benefit be affected? Are they taken into account when assessing what help I'm entitled to?
6. If, at the end of my degree, I couldn't find work (hopefully worst case scenario) Could I go back as self employed? I'd be able to do it full time then, as my daughter would be in school, so would hopefully earn an acceptable profit. Would I be entitled to UC if it wasn't bringing much money in?
I know from a friend who has children and has just completed a degree, that she had her study fees paid (I know she has to pay them back when she's earning over a certain amount) she also got something called a maintenance grant which is re-payable. If I'm entitled to this grant, do I have to take it? I think I'd rather not, the thought of all this debt is terrifying me.
Any help/advice appreciated.