On A Low Income But Im Not Entitled To Any Benefits

[Deleted User]

summerboo21 wrote: »

£13000 pa is my full time job
part time job is min wage

so your net weekly income is well over £250,youre a single man of 22 and you expect benefits to provide for YOUR choice to live in a 2 bedroom house?
sorry,you need to take a reallity check

Elle00

Hi Summerboo21,

I know it seems like it's really difficult to make ends meet when you're just starting out but you really are in a good situation compared to some your age. £15k is way above the poverty line and you should have enough to live comfortably on with good money management skills. A 2 bed house is not a NEED it's a WANT; so if you really want it then you just have to sacrifice other things to fund it. Other 22yr olds are either co-habiting with friends or a partner, still live at home or rent a room in a shared house. You've chosen to take on the responsibility of your own 2 bed house and you have to find ways to fund it off your back.

My annual income, including IS, CB, CTC, CM, Avon Wages, HB and CTR adds up to £13251. So my 2yr old and I are living on about the same net wage as you are for one person. And we run a house off that too.

The benefits board isn't the best place to deal with your problem I don't think as I agree that you're not entitled to anything besides the 25% council tax reduction for a single person. The Debt Free Wannabe board might be a good place to post. If you put up a list of all your income and all your outgoings then they'll be able to make recommendations to you on where you can cut back. It doesn't matter if you're not in debt, they'll help as a preventative measure. The Old Style board has loads of little gems in there for how to save money around the home and the Up Your Income board has ways to earn a few extra pennies in your spare time too.

DreamerV

To the OP: Including overtime, I earn slightly less than you but almost the same. On that, I pay a mortgage on a 3 bedroom house, run a car (road tax, mot, insurance, petrol), buy food, clothes, and budget towards social occasions (although I admit I don't partake in these too often). I also pay gas, electricity, phone bill, mobile bill, TV, Sky TV, broadband, etc. I don't think my wage is considered a low wage and it is less than yours, nor do I see why it should be considered so, since I can afford everything I need, plus luxuries.

Is there a reason why you cannot live with others? A lodger can really bring down costs. I have done this from time to time (under the rent a room scheme, with a student so as to keep my 25% council tax discount) - and this has allowed me to build up good savings (I didn't use this money towards the living costs noted in paragraph above). You could just do short term lets...like for just summer, or for just 6 to 8 weeks at a time, etc. Also, food: if you go shopping an hour or so before a supermarket closes, you'll often be able to get massive discounts (veg, bread, etc for less than 10p)...and at Lidl if you go towards closing, they keep the bread near the door for you to just take for free.

I don't think you'll be entitled to benefits in your situation. I agree with the posters who have suggested clear income/expenditure sheets..I think you should fill one out. It helped me immensely.

Good luck!

Newly_retired

I wonder if some young people just have no real idea of the cost of running a home before they make decisions about accommodation. Perhaps they have been used to parents paying the bills, and expect their standard of living to be the same, without the knowledge of how to make it happen, financially speaking. Then they get upset when it doesn't work out. I know several who have experienced similar problems.

LadyMorticia

Newly_retired wrote: »

I wonder if some young people just have no real idea of the cost of running a home before they make decisions about accommodation. Perhaps they have been used to parents paying the bills, and expect their standard of living to be the same, without the knowledge of how to make it happen, financially speaking. Then they get upset when it doesn't work out. I know several who have experienced similar problems.

I left home at 18. I've always had to fend for myself and pay my own way and that's the way I've always liked it.

I never complain about the money I receive as I know it is better than nothing and there are a lot of people who are in far worse situations than myself.

I think more people should be grateful for what they do have, instead of concentrating on what they don't.
Sometimes I think we live in a "more, more, more" society. :rolleyes:

xx

Oldernotwiser

LadyMorticia wrote: »

Sometimes I think we live in a "more, more, more" society. :rolleyes:

xx

Only sometimes?:D

kymbogs

Hi Summer

I'm 24 and live in a 2-bedroom house (mortgaged) with 2 babies. I've become pretty good at budgeting and cutting back. If you would like some help, tips etc PM me through my profile and we can have a chat and see how we can get you some more spare cash

Kimberley x

misscomickat

Hi summer

It's tough financially living on your own. Having to pay the rent, 75% of the council tax, and all bills by yourself can be a real struggle.

Plus if you're under 25 there is less help available, although why they have this ridiculous age bias I don't know. Do they think that the day you turn 25 you suddenly need, or deserve more money?

I lived in my own flat, alone, in my early twenties, and I just had to budget very carefully. Do you go out a lot? That can burn a real hole in your finances.