Background From our research we know that single parents can be confused about what is expected from them as a job seeker, including the actively seeking work requirements and the subsequent threat of financial sanctions.

Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance? Income Support is a benefit for people who have limited capability to work, for example if you are more than 29 weeks pregnant with no maternity pay

Many people are not aware of all the benefits and support they are able to apply for. Some are available to all single parents. Others are dependent on income and other circumstances.

Your benefits will not necessarily stop when you go back to work. Read more for what you may be entitled to:

If you are a single parent and your youngest child is 5 years of age or over, you are now expected to be job seeker as a condition of being on welfare benefits.

You can claim Child Benefit if: You are responsible for a child/children under 16 years old You are responsible for a child/children over 16 who continues into full time education/training

To qualify for Income Support you must be all of the following: between 16 and Pension Credit qualifying age. pregnant, or a carer, or a lone parent with a child under 5 or,

You could get Child Tax Credit for each child you’re responsible for if they’re: Under 16 – you can claim up until the 31st August after their 16th birthday.

Universal Credit is the new benefit that is replacing a range of previous benefits. At present. it is only running in certain areas of the UK, but it is being rolled out across the country

When your child reaches 5 years old and you are claiming out-of-work benefits, you are expected to become a jobseeker. However, a new Government rule, introduced on the 28th April 2014, means greater pressure

During the holidays unless you have arranged a postal signing (which is an option but it is at your Jobcentre Advisers discretion) you will still need to go into the Jobcentre to sign on