Advice Only One Phone Call Away for Worried Mums
The government is introducing changes to lone parent’s benefits so that people with younger children have to look for work as a condition of claiming benefit. OPFS, Scotland’s only dedicated lone parent organisation, has produced a fact sheet "Lone Parents: Changes to Income Support & Jobseeker’s Allowance" to provide worried lone parents with more information.
The change initially affects Lone Parents, who claim Income Support, and whose youngest child is aged 12 or over as they may no longer be entitled to Income Support and will have to claim Jobseeker's Allowance instead. However From October 2009, this will apply to lone parents whose youngest child is ten or over, and from October 2010 to lone parents whose youngest child is seven or over.
Worried Lone Parents can find out more by calling the Lone Parent Freephone Helpline on 0808 801 0323
and asking for our factsheet "Lone Parents: Changes to Income Support & Jobseeker’s Allowance."
The publication covers the key questions which many lone mums will be concerned about and Helpline staff can follow up more detailed questions if required. Issues such as:
- Will I have to claim JSA?
- When will the changes happen?
- How will I know when my Income Support is about to end?
- What if I am doing an education course or training?
- How much JSA will I receive?
- What are JSA 'sanctions'?
- I have difficulty getting suitable childcare during school holidays
Advice is also available for lone parents claiming Income Support as a lone parent, but who also have a health problem or a disability and for those thinking about moving into work . Advisors can also deal with Child Maintenance enquiries.
Sue Rew, of OPFS, said today:
"Most lone parents want to take up paid work when the time is right for their children and we know that many parents will be worried and concerned about these new rules. We are urging parents to call our free telephone Helpline 0808 801 0323 – we can provide free, independent advice to those who may be affected now and in the very near future. Advice is only one phone call away."
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