General Chat

Jim If I understood the question, I might reply but I don't grasp the logic of it! Debby

Yes good luck & tell us what happens, won't you? :0) Joan xx

Yes, most areas have some sort of charities don't they. But Tracy, please do seek advice, just to make sure you are not losing out on anything. I don't think you should be etting less just because you live with your Mum. Check it out. Ann Glos

Good luck Tracy.......XX BC

YOU LOT ARE WONDERFULL!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all your advice. You're great. I'm off now but will let you know how i get on tomorrow at the CAB. Happy searching on the family trees everyone. (i've never chatted on these boards before only read the threads, but glad i did now) See ya!!!!!!!! Tracy

Tracey (and others in the same position), Apart from state aid, there are local charities (I am a trustee of one, but our constitution only covers a limited geographical area) which can help out with (usually) one-off expenses such a replacing furniture, household fittings, domestic equipment, holidays/respite care, hospital travel, etc. Our charity actually has more income than it can get rid of, so don't be afraid (or too proud) to ask.

Tracy I meant if your son is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (not attendance allowance sorry) then you may be able to claim the Carers Allowance for looking after him. It depends what income you recive from work/benefits & it is taxable (but less than the single person's tax allowance) Have a look on this website http://www*dwp*gov.*k/lifeevent/benefits/carers_allowance*asp Replace all * with a dot. Do let us know how you get on & good luck. By the way, I would have done the same thing you did, & I don't begrudge a penny you get. Carers should get far more in benefits as far as i'm concerned. :0) Joan

i think i will first thing tomorrow. Thanks.

Cb Thanks for that reply. Its not easy being a single parent especially when the ex was a violent one and i split up with him to protect my son. Yes, it was my choice to become a single parent, but which would you do - Be hit or be single?

Does this apply to lone parents whose spouses have died and widowed them or just to parents, usually mothers, who have never married? From the age of 12, when my father died, I was brought up by my mother alone, and her income was taxed at the same rate as everyone else's in the same tax band. She got a widow's pension from the State, but if her earnings rose above a certain very low level, that pension was reduced by the amount of 'excess' earnings. After 2 years of the family surviving on my father's sick pay, followed by what my mother was able to earn, we had no cash to spare and life was very hard until I reached the age of 15 and was able to take a Saturday job. I've no idea about levels of taxation under similar circumstances these days. There does seem to be more help available for lone parents, but I don't think they should be forced to pay more tax than others in work. In many respects it's not easy being a lone parent. Why should their children suffer? CB >|<

Hear Hear Shirley..... Elizabeth.

it seems that way. I live with mum and dad. The £36 is income support. Whats carers allowance? No-ones ever mentioned that to me before and he's been on disability for almost a year.

Our daughter was a single parent because she divorced her husband due to domestic violence. She worked part time ,then full time to look after herself & the children together with paying mortgage etc, she only claimed child benefit & family credit & he never paid anything for the children for years despite her having a court order for maintenance. The Csa finally caught up with him & made him pay together with back payments. She paid her taxes & we also helped her by buying clothes & treats for the two kids. My hubby & I also worked all our lives & and paid our taxes & contributed to personal company pensions ,so now we are retired we arent asking the state for anything. So where has our daughter been any drain on other tax payers.We are proud of our daughter & the way she has coped Dont lump all single parents in the same box please. With respect Shirley

Tracy are you supposed to be able to pay rent and food and clothes out of that amount? Are you not elligible for council accommodation? please don't think i am being nosey but so many of these teenage Mums seem able to smoke and drink and I see them buying expensive clothes for their kids. they must get more than that. i just wondered if they know how to work the system and you are missing out on something. Ann Glos

Tracy I think you must mean the Carers Allowance, wich is £45.70 a week if you are caring for someone in receipt of Disability Living allowance? What I think is unfair is the fact OAPs still get taxed on their pensions, even when in a Care Home paying for themselves when they are Mentally ill (like Alzheimers) yet have paid tax & NI all their lives! What the hell were they paying it for? I agree with Brian, he knows what i'm trying to say. :0) Joan

Tracy,that dosent sound right at all.You surely to god must be entitled to something from someone.Look at how many people claim for DLA and get it and the ones who look after them get some sort of payment as well.If I were you I would go to an advice centre to find out just where you stand. Elizabeth.

yes, he gets disability allowance but most of that goes on his special medical diet and he also has to have special shoes. For myself i only get the £36.

I agree with Ann in Gloucs. particularly regarding support for the elderly. These people have (mostly) worked hard all their lives and many have made N.I. contributions - right now many of the pensioners fought for their country againt communism - why shouldn't they get something back in return? I also agree with Jess's comment about couples having to pay for families - my Husband pays a huge amount of tax and N.I. each week as does my Sisters Husband, neither of us have children and feel that we are penalised because of it - we feel that we are paying for other people's children. Kaye x

Tracy that seems to be an extremely small amount. Have you checked that you are getting all that you should be if you have a disabled son? Ann Glos

i wish my benefits would add up to a high amount. I live on £36 a week