Single Parent

Single Mum's and Dads can find links here about benefits, training, support, advice, and childcare for those who want to return to work.

Tax Credits
If you are working and claim Working Families Tax Credit you may be entitled to additional childcare tax credits to help towards the cost of childcare. Go to https://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk to find out if you qualify.

Other information on tax credits can be found at https://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

Council Tax Benefits
You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are on a low income, receive income support or job seekers allowance, as long as you or your partner don't have more than £16,000 in savings. Go to /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=6902 for more information.

Remember, your Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults living in a property. If only one adult lives there (as their main home) you may qualify for a 25% discount off your bill. Go to /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=6893 for more information.

Housing Benefits
Our Online Benefits Calculator at /Advice/Benefits/HousingBenefit/wbc.htm can help you find out what benefits you are entitled to.

New Deal for Lone Parents
This voluntary programme is designed to help lone parents who want to work. It is available to lone parents in receipt of Income Support and is operated through Employment Service Jobcentres. Go to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk for more information.

Training and going back to work
The Council offers various courses, including computer skills, basic maths and English, and vocational courses, to help you get back into work. Many venues have creche facilities. Go to /education/adulteducation for more information.

The Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education also has childcare facilities for students with children. Go to http://www.grimsby.ac.uk/community to find out more.

Child Support Agency
If you receive certain benefits, income support or disability allowance, you may be required to apply for maintenance. This applies even if there is a court order or any other agreement dealing with maintenance, including a "clean break" settlement. The CSA deal with maintenance claims and more detail can be found at http://www.csa.gov.uk/.

Child Care Options
The Council website has an excellent section with lots of information about pre-school and day care, from age 0-14, at /education/educationstandards/.

The Council produces a useful leaflet listing the childcare options available, which can be downloaded from /education/preschool/What_s_on_Offer_-_A_Parent_s_Guide.htm.

Support Groups

Gingerbread

Gingerbread are the UK's leading charity supporting single parent families in the UK. Their website at http://www.gingerbread.org.uk has links to local groups, advice, support, and online chatrooms and forums for single parents.

One Parent Families

This charity, whose website can be found at http://www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk/, has lots of information for lone parents including advice on how to get back into work and training, plus a free helpline on 0800 018 5026.

Lone-Parents
A great website with links, chatrooms, personal stories and lots of advice is available at http://www.lone-parents.org.uk/.

SureStart

The five local SureStart programmes can offer support and advice to lone parents. Go to /education/preschool/localsurestart.htm for full details.