PART TIME WORK

I have always worked full time. When my two children were born I went back to work when they were about 4 months old and my parents looked after them.
My stbx did little to help even though he only worked about 4 hours a day. I have always earned more money than him and been responsible for all the household bills, childcare, household chores etc, he helped occasionally with the decorating if it needed it (but only the bits he enjoyed).
My question...
My children are now 15 and 12, I separated from their father 16 months ago. They have no contact from him (their choice not his). He refuses to discuss sorting finances out and pays the minimum CSA. I have found this whole ordeal mentally and physically draining and to be honest I''m struggling to cope with the demands of working full time, looking after a large house, the responsibility of 2 teenagers (almost), a dog (his which he also left)and all the hassle of the divorce as well. I have had to take some time of work due to stress.
I love my job but I''m seriously considering dropping my hours, financially I can not afford to do this but I''m beginning to realise that money is not everything.
If I drop my hours, does anyone know how much I can earn before I am entitled to benefits (i have never claimed them before), and also will my stbx use this against me. I want to sell the house and move to a smaller one but he refuses to discuss this.
Anyone any advice?

I think it depends on what benefits you are trying to claim, but i think around 16k or under will entitle you to some benefits.
Hope this helps.

Go to the website entitledto.org and enter your details, as they would be if you were to work less hours. You can play around with it, eg try differing amounts of hours to see how you would be best off.
I assume you are thinking of claiming working tax credits and child tax credits, you need to be working at least 16 (possibly going up to 20 hours at some point?) hours per week to be eligible for working tax credits.

Thank you for the responses, don''t think I would be entitled to claim any benefits but that doesn''t surprise me, never claimed before so didn''t really expect any thing else. Guess i''ll just keep slogging on

What about Working Families Tax Credits? If you haven''t checked out the amount you would get it''s worth doing at the entitedto/turntous website. You also need to bear in mind the long term when CM, CB and tax credits end. It might be difficult to increase your hours again in the future and working part time will affect any pension contributions.

Yes Fiona, totally agree. I don''t get working tax credits because of the number of hours I work but I still get child tax credits.
This is definatley worth looking into GSN