The Government is making changes to benefits for lone parents, and wants more lone parents to look for and take up paid jobs. At present, lone parents who have a youngest child aged up to 16 can claim Income Support. From November 2008, lone parents whose youngest child is aged 12 or over will no longer be entitled to Income Support simply on the grounds of being a lone parent and will have to claim Jobseeker's Allowance (paid at the same rate as Income Support) instead. 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.

For information about benefits and tax credits you can claim while working, call the Lone Parent Helpline and ask for our factsheet Benefits and tax credits for lone parents who work 16 or more hours a week

If you are thinking of studying before looking for work and want to find out whether you can get help with the costs and what your income will be, ask for our factsheets Money for further education students and Money for higher education students.

Help if you are thinking about work or training

Financial help when you move from benefits into work

Checklist for lone parents returning to work for 16 or more hours a week

Further help and information

This factsheet is not a comprehensive guide to the law, nor a substitute for specialist or legal advice. we have done our utmost to ensure that the information provided is correct at the time of going to press and have tried to indicate where legal or other specialist advice is absolutely vital

IBSN 978 1 85199 295 2

moving-into-work (PDF 287KB)