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- Social Security and In-Work Poverty Inquiry
- Single Parent Families, Benefit Conditionality and Wellbeing – Why conditionality is unnecessary, unjust and ineffective
- Universal Credit: Single Parents – Gender Issues
- Benefit sanctions policy beyond the Oakley Review
- Scottish Social Security Benefits
- Adult Disability Payment
- Scottish Child Payment Response
- Improving Benefit take up vital in challenge of eradicating child poverty
- New Job Grant for young people who face barriers to gaining employment
- OPFS submission to the Scottish Government Disability Assistance Consultation
- New Job Grant for young people facing barriers to gaining employment
- Welfare Foods – consultation on meeting needs of children and families in Scotland
- Best Start Grant Draft Regulations
- Scottish government consultation on fraud in the social security system
- Closure of Glasgow Job Centres
- Evidence to the Welfare Reform Committee on Future Social Security Powers
- Evidence to Welfare Reform Committee on Welfare Reform and Women
- Single Parent Families and Poverty in Scotland
- Child poverty briefings: Public Health Scotland
- Single Parent Families Priorities for Change in 2020
- Potential impact of Brexit on Single Parents and OPFS
- Scottish Government Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan – OPFS Response
- Scottish Government Child Poverty Delivery Plans – Single Parents’ Views
- OPFS Briefing on the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act
- Consultation on a Child Poverty Bill for Scotland
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- Cost of the School Day – a Participatory Budgeting Project
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- What happens to child benefit when my child is 16+?
- What happens to universal credit when my child is 16+?
- What happens to tax credits when my child is 16+?
- What happens to housing benefit when my child turns 16+?
- What happens to council tax when my child turns 16+?
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Questions
- My son has started a full time higher education course at university. He is still living at home with me. Will my universal credit be affected?
- I am not happy with the service I have received from Social Work. What can I do about it?
- My ex is not turning up to take the children when he said he would. He cancels last minute and then turns up unexpectedly. He is letting both myself and the children down. What can I do about it?
- My universal credit payments have suddenly changed and I do not know why. I have had no change in my income or any other circumstances. How can I find out why there has been a change?
- When do single parents get the coronavirus vaccination?
- Where can I get a tablet or laptop for my son? I have 3 sons who are still being home schooled but only have one tablet between them.
- I am furloughed from my work, and my wages will be approx £2k less this year compared to last year. Will my tax credits/working tax credit increase?
- I heard the Scottish Government are giving £100 to school children. How do I get this?
- I pay child maintenance to my ex for our 2 children. If the children stay overnight with me should the amount of child maintenance I pay be less?
- Is there any help can I get if I have credit card debt and money worries during the coronavirus pandemic?
- Is there money I can apply for to help pay off rent arrears?
- My teenage daughter has been told to self-isolate. Will I be able to go and care for my elderly mum as she is in my extended household bubble?
- Does your children’s savings affect the amount of working and child tax credits you get?
- Are there grants available to make improvements and adaptions to my house?
- My daughter is at college and will soon be 18. When do I stop paying child maintenance for her?
- Will my children’s savings affect my universal credit?
- How do I arrange child maintenance payments when my child’s other parent does not live in the UK?
- Can I apply for a passport for my child without the father?
- I have saved money that I want to give to my children now and put in their bank accounts – will my children’s accounts be looked at for my Housing Benefit?
- My ex is not sticking to the agreement we made about when he see’s our daughter. He does not come to collect her when he should and when he does have her he does not bring her home on the time or day we arranged. I cannot depend on him for childcare and am worried, that when he does take her, he will not bring her back at all. What can I do about this?
- I have just moved house and used up all the money I had buying things I needed for my new home. I am now struggling to pay for everyday items like food, gas and electricity. I can’t get any more help from the council through the Scottish Welfare Fund. Can anyone else help?
- I share the care of my children with their mother. She is getting universal credit for them can I get it too?
- I have an agreement with my ex about child maintenance payments. It has been 5 years since we made the arrangement and I think his salary now with be much more than it was then. Can we change the agreement?
- Will my tax credits go up if I am furloughed and on 80% wages?
- Can I ask my employer to reduce my working hours? My doctor has told me I need to work less.
- My children stay with their mother during the week and with me at the weekend. Can I claim any benefits?
- Do mine or my children’s savings affect my universal credit?
- My child is 18 years old and I have not had Child Benefit for them. Can I get it now?
- My laptop is not working so my children are unable to do their school work from home. Is there anywhere I can get a laptop or tablet free or where I can get money to buy one?
- What benefits can I claim when I’m furloughed?
- My friend’s teenager is abusive and violent towards her, where can she get help?
- My ex-partner and I share care of our children but I am concerned to return them to their mum as she works in a care home where there is COVID-19. Should I return them to her and is it safe to continue to share their care while she is working in the care home?
- Do grants from charities reduce your universal credit payment?
- I have 3 children and get UC for them all, my son will be 18 in June and going to university in September, when will the UC and child benefit stop for him?
- Is it OK for me to take my daughter to see her father who lives across the border in England? He thinks its OK but I’m not sure and don’t want to go against government guidelines.
- Can I get help as a single parent for prepayment electricity?
- Can I get any benefits if I leave my work due to ill health?
- I had a bad relationship and had to go to court. I’m scared my ex still knows where I live.
- I am currently in a private let and my landlord is thinking of selling, how do I apply for housing?
- I have moved from tax credits and income support to universal credit. When will the tax credits and universal credit stop?
- I have recently been made redundant but I have applied for a house. How do I apply for housing benefit and would I be eligible for the help with the deposit?
- I am a carer on Income Support and receiving Carers Allowance. I would like to work a few hours a week but am not sure how this will affect my Income Support?
- Can my employer change my working hours?
- Do you know where I can look for a grant to make my garden suitable for my children to play in?
- I get child and working tax credits. Do I have to tell HMRC that I have been furloughed from work?
- Where can I get help to buy furniture and white goods for my home?
- Is there any funding to help with council tax debt?
- How do I report a change of circumstances for Universal Credit?
- We share care of our child 50/50 and therefore don’t pay each other maintenance. During the coronavirus our child is with me all the time. What happens with child maintenance in this situation?
- I’ve had to self isolate and my work aren’t paying me. What should I do?
- I am working from home, but have my child to look after. My employer is now suggesting I take unpaid leave if I am unable to commit to the shifts I have been given. What are my rights?
- During the coronavirus lock down do I still have to look for work and apply for jobs to get universal credit? I am not able to do this but worry that I will be sanctioned and my universal credit will stop.
- I’m a single parent shielding with my daughter who has Autism and ADHD. We are in the house constantly using more gas and electricity. I’m worried my bill’s will go up over this coronavirus time. What can I do?
- My 5 children and I are self isolating in Fife as I am recovering from Covid-19. Where can I get help with having shopping delivered as I can’t go out of the house and have no other help?
- I work part time and am moving into a flat but need some essential items. Where can I get help?
- How do I cancel my Universal Credit?
- I am self employed but unable to work because of Coronovirus. I expect to get the 80% from Gov in June. Can I claim universal credit now till June?
- Can I get universal credit if I own property that I rent?
- I see the application queue for Universal Credit is very long. Is there a way to claim it without having to fill in the form online?
- Are my children able to go between my own and my mother’s house?
- I am a key worker and my son has additional support needs (ASN). Do you know if ASN kids are being offered places in childcare hubs or if there’s specialist placements for them?
- My brother is a single parent with a daughter of 7. If my brother caught Coronavirus, who would look after his daughter?
- My child is a young carer, now that schools are closed can he claim Carers Allowance? Also now that school is closed will child Benefit stop?
- I am a student nurse and would like to help during the pandemic. Can I do this and would my benefits be affected?
- When do job centre payments go into a Rainbow Savers account?
- I am a single Dad and clients I had booked in have cancelled for the duration of the Coronavirus. Apart from Universal Credit is there anything else I can apply for?
- I disagree with my child maintenance decision, what can I do?
- If my employer tells me to stay at home who applies for the 80% of my wage?
- I had a job to start but the company is holding off on my employment due to COVID-19. What should I do?
- Can you get benefits if you don’t have bank account?
- My son has outgrown his cot, can I get help to buy a bed?
- I’m a furloughed worker, how will this affect my working tax credits?
- My child’s father visits her once a week is he still allowed to do this?
- I am self-employed and unable to work at the moment. I can apply for the new self employed grant from the Government but will it affect my tax credit and is it taxed?
- Can I get help with online shopping, I am a single mum of 2 disabled kids?
- My son’s Dad has been erratic over the last year in paying child maintenance but now, because of the coronavirus, has stopped altogether. What can I do?
- Will the extra £1000 in benefit increases mean I’ll lose Housing Benefit?
- If my partner gives up his work can I still get child maintenance?
- My income is reduced as my ex has stopped paying maintenance. Can I get any help as I’m finding it difficult to manage?
- I’m a care worker with no recourse to public funds. Will get help with childcare?
- How do you juggle working at home and entertaining your child?
- Is there any help with fuel costs during the coronavirus?
- I’m classed as a key worker, can I decide to stay at home with my child?
- What if I end up with rent arrears?
- How can I get my fuel key topped up? My local shop has closed.
- Is my child allowed to still see her dad?
- My son has asthma, my employer is saying I either work or resign, can I get Statutory sick pay? I am still on tax credits.
- I have been advised to self isolate due to my health. Can I claim statutory sick pay?
- The schools are closing, I can’t go to work. What help is available?
- Is there any childcare available for parents who still have to go to work?
- My hours are being cut, what help will I get?
- What about child contact if we usually have handover at a contact centre and they close? Will I be taking to court if I can’t arrange child contact?
- I live on my own with my young child. What will I do if I become too sick to care for him? I don’t have any friends or family that can help?
- I will now have to give up the job because the schools are closing. Will I be able to go back on to income support?
- I am getting paid off as there is no work for me to do because of the virus. If my wages stop will I get any help to pay rent?
- How do I get statutory sick pay?
- Can I claim benefits if I am no longer being paid by my employer?
- Despite schools still being open would you advise isolation and social distancing for children with well controlled asthma during this period of the Corona virus pandemic?
- I only work part time and have a limited income. Can I get any benefits?
- Should I let my children go to school during the coronavirus epidemic?
- My children are getting worried about all the hype in the news and school about Coronavirus, what can I say to reassure them?
- If I have to claim ESA because of corona virus, do I need to wait 7 days to be paid?
- If I have to claim Universal Credit. Do I need to go to the jobcentre to get the one month’s up front payment?
- I am claiming Universal Credit and need to stay at home to self isolate due to corona virus. Will I get sanctioned?
- I am off sick from work and claiming Universal Credit due to corona virus. Do I need a fit note from my GP?
- I am off sick from work and claiming ESA due to corona virus. Do I need a fit note from my GP?
- I am disabled. Will I have to go to my benefit reassessment appointment due to corona virus ?
- I am self employed and on universal credit but I can’t work due to Corona Virus? What help is there?
- Can I get sick pay if I can’t work due to Corona Virus?
- I’m a single parent with no family support and wondered where I could get help with my child if I became unwell?
- I’m a single mum of 3 thinking of relocating to Scotland. I’m Irish and the children’s Dad is Scottish – what benefits would I be able to get as a single mum going back to college?
- How can I work if I do not have childcare?
- Can I claim benefits as a single parent if I am still living in the same house as my ex?
- Is there any help with Mortgage Payments while I am working and claiming Universal Credit?
- My ex-husband is not declaring his full income to Child Maintenance Service. Is there anything I can do?
- My son was born with his dads surname on the birth certificate. My son now wants to change his surname to mine, how can I do that?
- Can I get help to pay my sons travel costs to school?
- When can I get the Best Start Grant?
- Can my ex force me to go to court about contact with our children when I want to use a mediation service? He is getting legal aid so will I have to pay the cost if it does go to court?
- What services are available?
- What is a sanction?
- Can I volunteer with you?
- What is Best Start grant and how can I apply for it?
- Where are your offices and how do I make an appointment?
- I am considering separating, how will this affect me/what are my options?
- I am planning on going into education or training, how will this affect my benefits/income?
- Can you help single parents outside of Scotland?
- Can you help me furnish my house?
- My circumstances have changed and it is affecting my benefits, can you help?
- I am separating, what are my housing options?
- I am looking for housing, can you help me find somewhere to live?
- Can you help me with a PIP application?
- I have built up debts, can you help?
- Can you refer me to a food bank?
- My benefits have been cut, can you help?
- Do you have any job openings?
- I am looking for work, can you help?
- I am separating, what financial assistance can I get?
- Can you help me sort out contact arrangements with my ex?
- Can you help me arrange/sort out child maintenance?
- Who are your services for?
- What groups do you run?
News
- Boost for family budgets before Christmas
- Universal Credit Update
- Keep the lifeline – open letter to the Prime Minister
- Press release: UK Government defence of benefit age inequality “woefully misunderstands” reality of young parents’ lives
- Scottish Charity Awards 2021 – Edinburgh Services
- ‘Do the right thing and double the Scottish Child Payment now’ civil society coalition tells First Minister
- Survey: Your experience of the Child Maintenance Service
- Employment support for Dundee single parents – both in and out of paid work
- Summer Activities in The Family Centre, Falkirk
- Press release: Cross-party MPs urge government to end ‘young parent penalty’ in Universal Credit
- New research: child poverty targets “destined for failure” unless employability schemes for parents and carers are overhauled
- New OPFS project will test innovative ways of providing debt advice for Single Parents
- Social security coalition calls for action from Scotland’s political parties
- Securing a living income in Scotland: Towards a minimum income guarantee
- Vital support from Glasgow City Council
- Single Parents Day 2021
- OPFS reaction: young single parents will be among worst hit by removing Universal Credit uplift
- OPFS Statement: Free School Meals
- ‘Be an elf’ Christmas Appeal
- Edinburgh Community Health Forum’s COVID Reponse Final Report
- OPFS reaction: research shows families struggling with COVID-19 income drop
- OPFS urges action to address ‘devastating’ child poverty statistics
- Hanging on by a Thread – poem by Shirley Widdop
- Challenge Poverty Week 2020
- Vital Funding for Single Parent Support Charity withdrawn by Glasgow City Council
- OPFS Glasgow – Case for Support
- OPFS Glasgow looks forward to detail on transition fund for lifeline services
- Lifeline service for single parents in Glasgow refused council grant
- Two Child Policy Open Letter
- Legal challenge to #FixTheCMS
- Children across Scotland cut adrift as poverty leaves COVID-Generation facing a perilous future
- Nearly half of families with children in Scotland struggling to make ends meet through the COVID-19 crisis
- #Take5Give5 for single parent families
- It’s time to lift the two-child limit
- Supermarkets urged not to challenge families with children when out shopping for essentials
- Appeal launched to help struggling single parent families
- £100k funding for energy payments secured by One Parent Families Scotland
- Updates from the NHS
- One Parent Families Scotland welcomes £100k in funding to help families amid coronavirus
- The latest update from the UK government regarding the new measures in place
- Proposals agreed ensuring vulnerable customers stay supplied with energy
- Struggling families should be given cash while schools are shut
- OPFS services during the Coronavirus period
- DWP Update on Corona Virus
- First Steps Young Parents Project
- Child Disability Assistance to be extended to age 18 in Scotland
- Edinburgh support for dads and kids under threat
- Job Start Payment
- Root-and-branch review of Child Maintenance Service needed to lift children out of poverty
- OPFS responds to Care Review Report
- Twenty Years Delivering Change
- OPFS submission to the Scottish Government Disability Assistance Consultation
- Potential impact of Brexit on Single Parents and OPFS
- Why co-production matters to OPFS
- Social enterprise takes on Flexible childcare services from OPFS
- Impact of UK welfare policies in Scotland
- Improving Benefit take up is vital in the challenge of eradicating child poverty
Blogs
- Warm home discount scheme
- Single Parent FAQs: Housing Options
- Single Parent FAQs: Financial support for families
- Single Parent FAQs: Education
- Single parent priorities for the Scottish Parliament election
- Single Parent FAQs: Universal Credit
- Single parent FAQs: Child maintenance
- How to vote in the upcoming Scottish Parliament election
- Making LGBTQ single parents visible
- Local spotlight: changing lives and challenging poverty with Edinburgh single parents
- Single parent FAQs: Child contact
- Super elf – Laura Cannon
- A single parent’s guide to Christmas
- Unjust immigration policy makes “getting it right for every child” an empty phrase
- Living Wage Week and single parent families
- How we’re helping during COVID-19: in single parents’ words
- Lockdown activity ideas from single parent Rachel
- Single Parents Day: Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
- Single Parents Day: A dad’s story
- Activities for kids when you’re social distancing
- International Women’s Day 2020: A time for action
- Why you should care about unpaid care work
- Carer’s allowance supplement Scotland
- Out of School Care in Scotland – Plans for the Future
- How universal credit is calculated
- OPFS celebrated 75 years in 2019
- OPFS Glasgow providing extra support to parents of school-age children
- Using Universal Credit to pay for Childcare
- What is Kinship Care?
- What is a sanction?
- The Claimant Commitment
