Rising household bills, no rise in benefits!

floss2

Also, check that you are getting any extra support from college - book alowance, travel subsidy, childcare support - anything that they may have available if a student asks, but that they don't shout about.

ccastley

Oh, and I used to work for the NHS and can only say that whilst I do agree you deserve a pay rise, the wages are much more generous than those in the private sector on the administrative and operational side.

glossgal

ccastley wrote: »

The OP had a very valid point and has asked a very valid question, and does not deserve to have everyone attacking her. Inflation and 'the credit crunch' is giving everyone a hard time and you should feel no worse for feeling the pinch if you are on benefits, especially, as in the OP's case, you are trying to improve life for yourself and you family by studying. She is a young Mum and is taking the opportunities available for her to get back to work.

For the record, I have ME, stay at home to look after my son aged 3 after giving up full time work (which I returned to when my son was 4 month's old)in January before it killed me (being at home is no easier but at least my son won't sack me for having a bad day!) and my husband works full time. We get some tax credits as my husband is disabled following a head injury at work 2 years ago, but I get no personal benefits, such as incap or income support, or housing or council tax benefit. I do not get DLA and nor does he. We lost our house this year due to these circumstances.

I do not begrudge the OP her benefits and in fact commend her for going to college when it is damn hard to do that and bring up a kid.

I sincerely hope that the government reviews what is happening and the state of the economy as it is having a very negative impact on everybody, and it kills me to see utility companies raking in record profits year after year whilst still increasing energy costs by 40% and no-one is doing anything about this. I would liek to make a stand, but how do you do this? I can;t help but feel something's got to give.

On the advice front Lizard_lady, I can only echo what another poster said about groceries and using the OS board. Also ensure you're getting any entitlement you may be due for free milk and fruit and veg and see if you're entitled to a Warm Front grant for insultation, etc, to help with energy costs, which are killing everyone!

The best of luck to you, and please don't be disheartened by what other people have said.

The thing is, people are only pointing out the reality of how these bill increases affect everyone. Why should someone on benefit warrant more sympathy than someone who works when the truth is benefit claimants often have more disposable income than workers. This isn't what the media want us to believe but alas it's fact.

Life is hard, my full time job has been cut to part time -that's me £500 worse off every month! after tax I probably earn about £40 per week more than I would in OP's position BUT on benefit I wouldn't have Council Tax and Mortgage/Rent to pay. This is not a dig it just frustrates me, as it seems to do others, when people show not even the slightest hint of gratitude/acknowledgement for the breaks they get!

ccastley

glossgal wrote: »

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The thing is, people are only pointing out the reality of how these bill increases affect everyone. Why should someone on benefit warrant more sympathy than someone who works when the truth is benefit claimants often have more disposable income than workers. This isn't what the media want us to believe but alas it's fact.

Life is hard, my full time job has been cut to part time -that's me £500 worse off every month! after tax I probably earn about £40 per week more than I would in OP's position BUT on benefit I wouldn't have Council Tax and Mortgage/Rent to pay. This is not a dig it just frustrates me, as it seems to do others, when people show not even the slightest hint of gratitude/acknowledgement for the breaks they get!

I don't feel that the OP was asking for any more sympathy than anybody else, just advice and solidarity, and people have decided to go complete off topic and have a go, which is a bit much, especially when she is doing what she can to come off benefits so far as I can see.

I know what you mean about the CT and HB because we have been told (by benefit's advisers no less) that if my husband were to hand his notice in we'd be better off as we don't receive any help with the rent.

It just annoys me the way people can talk to other board users on here in a way they never would face to face...I wouldn;t mind if her post indicated that she was trying to play the system or stay on benefits without a valid reason, but her post says everything to the contrary.

glossgal

ccastley wrote: »

I don't feel that the OP was asking for any more sympathy than anybody else, just advice and solidarity, and people have decided to go complete off topic and have a go, which is a bit much, especially when she is doing what she can to come off benefits so far as I can see.

I know what you mean about the CT and HB because we have been told (by benefit's advisers no less) that if my husband were to hand his notice in we'd be better off as we don't receive any help with the rent.

It just annoys me the way people can talk to other board users on here in a way they never would face to face...I wouldn;t mind if her post indicated that she was trying to play the system or stay on benefits without a valid reason, but her post says everything to the contrary.

I don't condone anyone getting a slating on the boards but it is not off topic to remind someone complaining about lack of benefit increases that everyone in society, working or not, is in the same boat with regards the current cost of living. I would also say it is quite silly to expect agreement to this statement other than from fellow benefit claimants! I for one am not interested as to why OP is on benfits because it's not relevant but the fact she is making such comments in the face of general economic crisis, pay cuts etc is naive at best surely?

ccastley

glossgal wrote: »

I don't condone anyone getting a slating on the boards but it is not off topic to remind someone complaining about lack of benefit increases that everyone in society, working or not, is in the same boat with regards the current cost of living. I would also say it is quite silly to expect agreement to this statement other than from fellow benefit claimants! I for one am not interested as to why OP is on benfits because it's not relevant but the fact she is making such comments in the face of general economic crisis, pay cuts etc is naive at best surely?

Fellow benefit claimants? I am not in receipt of benefits, but I do have sympathy with her because she is trying to better herself and her family. If you are interested in my personal situation, read my first post in this thread yourself and you will see that despite being told we would be better off on benefits, my husband works despite being disabled to support us, and I am also disabled and not in receipt of benefits. We receive tax credits as does anyone with a child earning under 56k, and all of that money goes back on our son and working tax credits because of my husband's disability which go towards transport costs for us both.

Prior to having to give up work as the childcare costs were insane and I was giving up precious time with my son and my health, I also worked closely with those seeking to come off benefits as I worked for a local authority, and whilst there is no doubt that there are a minority who make a career out of benefits (with the system being what it is HOW, I have no idea...) the majority of people on benefits do not have a great quality of life and have no wish to remain on them.

In terms of it not being off topic, I think to condescend to someone and tell them they are ungrateful when they are actually just asking for advice, is pretty off topic...

On another less heated subject: I hadn't heard that Oscar Wilde quote before :rotfl: it's a good un! I need to get myself a signature but I'm too indecisive.

Titch89

floss2 wrote: »

Also, check that you are getting any extra support from college - childcare support .

Some colleges (including one I'm going to in September) subsidise nursery costs for students with children at the college, if the child goes to the nursery attatched to the college.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/DG_10033131

Oldernotwiser

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

At 19 JSA is £47.95/wk without children. The OP will however have single parent JSA so will be a bit more but not by that much considering.

Why do you assume that the OP is a lone parent? I know that not everyone reads earlier posts (OP is married) but it comes to something when every young woman with a child is automatically considered to be unmarried!

ccastley

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Why do you assume that the OP is a lone parent? I know that not everyone reads earlier posts (OP is married) but it comes to something when every young woman with a child is automatically considered to be unmarried!

I think that as the OP didn't mention her husband or the income thereof he/she assumed she was a lone parent. I kind of did myself.

Scarlett1

I think it was assumed the OP was a lone parent as she said "I cant afford" and "making a better life for me and my daughter" so no mention of an other half there