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HI Ladfies,
Tax Credit criteria changes have been in the news today, talking about how Parents will be up to £4,000 worse off.
However I can't seem to find any references to the Lone Parent minimum working hours . The news and information only relates to couples having to work a minimum of 24 hours. I'm applying for jobs and obviously few a far between at the moment, I'm now wondering if I should be applying for 16 hours.?
Any information greatly appreciated!
Helly
Thank you Louise, I have looked on HMRC and JobCentrePlus, all the reports include couples no mention of Single Mums.
One thing that made me feel angry when I was doing my researches this morning was that it was said that the thinking behind the policy was to bring single parents onto a more equal footing with couples. Sorry? As in couples have two of them to earn/look after the children and single parents don't and are therefore disadvantaged enough, thank you very much! 
There really is no mention of single parents under 50 on the websites, let us hope that this means that the situation will not change for lone parents, will clarify when we have checked things out
Hi there, I have word from our Parliamentary Officer that the changes to Working Tax Credits will NOT affect single parents.
Here is some information that she has pulled together from Working Families, see Change to Working Tax Credits will not affect single parents
Thank you Anna 
I have also called the tax credits helpline who confirmed it only affects couples living together.
helly, louise, anna and towerofstrength,
Thank you on behalf of most of us on here. i lost sleep last night over this new "improvement".
Im only just better off working as it is.
I'm still confused over lone parent position on 16 hours! My employment advisor told me yesterday that the 24 hour rule affected lone parents too. This was confirmed in a team meeting today and a phone call he made to the Tax Credit office!! As anybody got the latest definitive answer?? This seems so unfair if within a couple only one of them has to work 16 hours, the other 8 hours, but within a single parent family the onus is on the one parent to work 24!!
Hi Bunnyboo
I am really sorry that you are getting these confusing messages, Anna's post above covered the changes to Tax credits and wether this affected lone parents.
I have word from our Parliamentary Officer that the changes to Working Tax Credits will NOT affect single parents.
Here is some information that she has pulled together from Working Families, see Change to Working Tax Credits will not affect single parents
towerofstrength also posted saying
I have also called the tax credits helpline who confirmed it only affects couples living together.
This is the lastest news i have received, have you called Working Tax Credits yourself heres their number 0345 300 3900
I will also check with our Parliamentary Officer and our Money Expert to see if there are any updates/changes on this and let you know what i find out.
Thanks Sally,
Im under the impression that there's so much misinformation around that I think I will only believe it when I see it in print from an official source. I've spoken to people directly who tell me they've spoken to Tax Credits and it doesn't affect single parents, but then for my advisor to say he'd spoken to them directly today and they confirmed that it does, worries me again!
I don't think it can be right, surely it would be discriminatory to insist that single parents work as many hours as two parents to access the same benefits?
Thanks for your help!! :D xx
Hi Bunnyboo
Do call the Tax Credits people yourself to try and set your mind at rest. How dreadful that there has been all this contradictory information!
Hi Bunnyboo, your advisor is mis informed. Have a look at this page from Directgov. You could forward the information to your advisor too, so that they don't startle and unsettle any other single parents.
Here is the link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCredits/DG_194914
Thanks Louise and Anna for your replies. I can only assume that the ambiguity is arising from the lack of any mention of single parents. But that said, as they are only highlighting the changes, there is no need to state that the situation remains the same for lone parents?
I'm relieved, but also a bit annoyed as A4E, my Back to Work advisors, really should be aware of the information they are giving out. Im going to email my advisor now.
Once again, thanks!
Hi Bunnyboo, I would be really interested to hear the response that you get from your A4E advisor on this, please do keep us informed.
Thanks Nobody needs this kind of stress put on them when they are trying to balance children, work and benefits.
Panic over, it was confirmed today by my advisor that the situation remains the same for lone parents, that is, 16 hours. Obviously I'm not going to mention the lack of apology........
Normality is restored..... lets just hope I have some luck finding ANY work.
Thanks for all your help and comments so far. This is a wonderful site xx
Phew what a relief for you Bunnyboo, wishing you luck in the job hunting
So glad I stumbled on this.
My sister works 16 hours and between us we cover child care (i take kids to school while she at work, she pick them up while im at uni) however, on the phone to the Tax Credit Office today she was advised she will need to increase her hours to 24!!!! (she is single too)
How can the people on the phone line get it so wrong?!!! We were both panicking but I came on here and you guys are confirming it doesnt apply to single parents - relief!!! (unless something has changed since your last post???
)
Nothing has changed, little angel, it is the original info that came out was unclear, it is awful that the STAFF don't even know.......
So glad that we can be glad of service
OK im totally bewildered by all this information i just cant seem to get my head round it ...who is telling the TRUTH...after scanning the internet and umpteen phone calls im still not any further with this...i have been claiming tax credits for several years ..single parent of two children always worked 16 hours,always had cedits ...till NOW!!!!! i have lost £87 a week as it seems i do not meet the critera?? the threshold is i must be 24/30 hours a week??? how on gods earth i am expexted to raise 2 kids and survive off my £120 a week wage and now £101 tax credits!!!!!! im ill at the tought of this n just seem to be hitting a brick wall ..anyone any ideas where or what to do next xx
The threashold has gone up to 24 hours a week for couples, not single parents. Have you had an award notice from the Tax Creidt people telling you this? Please email our Benefits Adviser (click) who can give specialist help
Hello Helly13
The news this morning was referring to part of the new Universal Credit that the Government is introducing. I was doing some research this morning and there are conflicting reportsabout it. I therefore asked Anna to contact our own Money Experts (from the Citizens Advice Bureau) to clarify the situation so that we can inform One Space members. The Money Experts do not work at weekends so we will wait to hear from them on their return to work