She was left speechless when she was struggling to pay bills and the council suggested she should stop working 27 hours a week

Battle: Chelsea Press and daughter Lacey Battle: Chelsea Press and daughter Lacey

SWNS

A single mum has been told by council staff that she would be “better off” resigning her job and living on benefits.

Chelsea Press, a part-time carer for the elderly, was seeking financial advice after struggling to pay bills.

But the 23-year-old was left speechless when her local Basildon district council in Essex suggested she should stop working 27 hours a week.

The consultation revealed Chelsea, who has a two-year-old daughter Lacey, would have £2,850 more each year – £54.80 a week – if she was unemployed.

But she refuses to quit, saying: “I was disgusted. The council adviser should never have said that.

“Lacey knows that I go to work and help old people. I want to set her a good example.”

Chelsea survives monthly on £650 wages, £81.24 child benefit plus £454 working tax credits and child tax credits.

Half her money goes on rent, council tax and nursery fees with the rest spent on utility bills and food.

By not working, she would get £650 income support, £81.24 child benefit and £260 in child tax payments. But she’d pay no rent or council tax.

Phil Turner, deputy leader of Basildon district council, said: “I am surprised to hear this.

“I’ll go back to officers to make it absolutely clear we have to get the message across.”

 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/carer-chelsea-press-advised-basildon-2283874