Welfare Reform tightens its grip on lone parents
The Westminster government's welfare reform programme is increasing the pressure on lone parents to look for work. From 26th October 2009, lone parents whose youngest child is 10 or over will no longer be able to make a new or repeat claim Income Support as a lone parent.
Instead they will have to apply for Jobseeker's Allowance and will have to be actively seeking employment. Lone parents who are currently in receipt of Income Support with children over 10 will move on to Jobseeker's Allowance during the course of 2009.
From October 2010 this will apply to lone parents whose youngest child is 7.
For more information see: www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/readyforwork
What do you think of these measures? Let the world know by adding to the discussion below...
Keep up the campaigning - many people simply don't understand why the Government is pressing on with this measure at a time of rising unemployment.
"Press Releases
Lone Parents thinking about college or university
Because of the changes in benefits requiring lone parents to work when their children are young, many lone parents in Scotland are now thinking of improving their skills by going back to college or university".
I would like to point out as a note of caution to any single parents considering this option.
I am a single parent student who has just entered my honours year. Previously if I was unable to find work over the summer I was able to claim income support to support myself and my 2 teenage children (19 and 13). This summer due to the changes made last October, I accepted that I would have to claim JSA to get us through the summer. However, I was informed that students on continuing courses i.e more than one year, are unable to claim this benefit despite being willing and able to work. This left my family having to survive on child benefit and child tax credits (£108 per week).
I only tolerated this because it is my final year, and I am very concerned that this knowledge will put many single parents off from studying at Hnd level or above.
Does this mean that, despite the Governements claims that they wish to eradicate child poverty and integrate single parents into the workplace, these people are supposed to be satisfied by low or unskilled work with minimun wages?
Post new comment