Job seekers RANT!! (new here)

SmileyHappyBeing

beccam wrote: »

Yes I figured that!! I honestly don't know who decides £90/week is enough to live on, I suppose if you aren't paying mortgage etc you could survive but as you say I think the majority must be claiming DLA/IB aswell as everything else going.
It's also the fact that you actually get penalised for having worked during your life, if you haven't paid taxes you get more money??!

I know there really isn't a lot we can do but tighten our belts even more and hope he finds a job soon (interview this afternoon so fingers crossed!) doesn't stop me being mad though!

Why must the majority be claiming DLA or IB? Some people really do just have to survive on this whilst getting no extra help, my brother is just out of work due to there being no work, literally, the work has dried up so he was laid off ( in the building trade) and he has to survive on his JSA, I dont know how u can say ppl must be claiming everything else when there are genuine ppl out there claiming this as they have no other income or help, unlike you.

Im not having a dig, but you seem to generalise alot.

Editing to say, surely he would not get £90 a week, thats for 2 weeks money ..

SmileyHappyBeing

beccam wrote: »

Nursery is pre-school, works out about £12/week, childminder is on hold unless hub is doing interviews/odd jobs while I'm at work. His redundancy is spread as far as it can go, we never had spare income before as his wage was just over minimum wage to begin with. We've done a few things like going down a brand on shopping (well more like 2 really) and I've started doing meal planner etc and going to different places for shopping rather than just do it all in Tesco to try and get better deals.
His P/T job hasn't started yet so still no extra income.

How old are your little ones , do you not get free nursery places like we do over here when they are 3 ? Is the childminder really necessary for when your husband has to odd jobs? Have you no family or friends that could watch them if you have any odd jobs that need doing ? Or could he not just do the odd jobs when you are around, seems a bit of an extragavence (sp) to use a childminder for when you nedd an odd job that needs doing.

beccam

L.one is 3, it is a 'free' place but money is for her snack/meal thing and school fund, childminder is only being used if no one else is available, we don't have many people to ask. But currently not being used at all as I'm off!
I apologise for generalizing (I know this is a bad trait of mine) and yes you are right there are 2 levels of JSA *shameful embarrassment*, I'm calming down slightly now since my original postings!
And I agree that age is not the only factor but that was what I was trying to say, that it is not based on individual needs/situations, and before anyone jumps on me I know that is not a practical solution!!
Job seekers is now only an issue to me as they still haven't made a payment but hub is signing off this week as he can (hopefully) earn more doing P/T work. Smileyhappybeing, I hope your brother finds something soon.
Just been on a site www.frugal.org.uk, think I have my meals planned for the next month!!

SmileyHappyBeing

You are right in some ways though,cos the system isnt fair alot of the time, like with tax credits, if you are under 25 and no kids, not entitled, over 25 though still with no kids, entitled.. crazy, why should a 25 yr old need more money than a 24 yr old.. !!!

I know how hard it is not having people to help out, so I feel your pain on that one .

I hope things work out for you, I know its hard to explain your circumstances, especially when you are writing it down, and then you get people nit pickin over it all... Im glad you've calmed down a bit lol, and I wish you all the best, good luck

Sharon87

Yeah I agree JSA doesn't take into account people's circumstances. I'm a recent graduate claiming JSA (I'm 21) at £47ish a week, wheras my brother (25) is getting £60 week (the odd times he is actually on it lol) and we're both in exactly the same circumstances.

Have you told JC that your OH hasn't started the work yet? Because he should get some until he starts it.

Horace

Its true you cannot leave the country and claim JSA because JSA does what it says on the tin...job seekers allowance by being out of the country you are unable to work.

I don't want to point out the obvious but has your husband listed his CV on the various sites such as Monster Jobs? Has he registered with every single agency for temporary or permanent work?

You are lucky, you have children and therefore have child support - think of us singletons having to survive on £60 a week JSA, oh it can be done if everything is pared to the bone. Please do not generalise about all people on JSA some of us are professionals who hate being unemployed and some of us have disabilities which makes it doubly difficult to find work. Sure there are those people who have hundreds of kids who claim income support and every benefit going but not everyone does this.

If you are struggling as you claim as you previously didnt have any money left over, perhaps you could consider posting your Statement of Affairs on the Debt Free Wannabe board so that the good people over there can advise you on where to make cutbacks.

OrkneyStar

beccam,
here is the link to the grocery challenge (oct- old one, nov- one just starting). On the old style board there are also meal planning ideas and lots of recipes and money saving tips. You might also want to try looking at the money saving in marriages, relationships and families board and the Bargain Buys, Sassy Shopping and Fantastic Freebies section.
hth.
I think you must realise, that although people can sympathise with how your situation has changed, there are people in much much worse situations who don't rant- they just get on with it! Life is not fair, benefits often 'seem' unfair, but as I said, they are a temporary measure for those in need (or are at least supposed to be). You will be fine, just things might be a bit tough for a bit (join the club!).
OS
(PS all the blue words are linkies)

beccam

Thank you Orkneystar, great links! I do realise that we are probably more fortunate than many others and that things we consider every day neccessities are more like a luxury to many others and will now be becoming our luxuries too, those belts are getting tighter by the day!!
*calming down and taking stock of situation*

moggylover

beccam wrote: »

Thank you Orkneystar, great links! I do realise that we are probably more fortunate than many others and that things we consider every day neccessities are more like a luxury to many others and will now be becoming our luxuries too, those belts are getting tighter by the day!!
*calming down and taking stock of situation*

Hi beccam, I'm glad you are beginning to cope with the situation. I am sorry you have had a fairly harsh reception here (but then there are some who cannot fail to get their hackles up the moment that benefits are mentioned:rolleyes: - even for people who have been working and are in need of some short term help). With the way the Country is going at the moment I suspect many of them may find themselves facing similar problems as you are currently, and that then they may realise what you were trying to say. I also understand that once you take your children out of a child minders care then you usually loose that place altogether (as they need to make a living as well and will have to take on another child a.s.a.p.) and thus will often have great difficulty getting another suitable place for your children once your work situation improves. Obviously I have different "eyes" to those who are complacent in their comfort and can see ALL of the ramifications of the choices you are forced to make short term: otherwise perhaps I just open mine:D

Many years ago, there used to be a period when "unemployment benefit" as it was then was earnings related for a short while, and that there was assistance for loans and so forth taken out whilst in employment. Whilst it wasn't great at all I believe that it was much fairer to people in your current situation. I very much doubt that any of those "!!!!!ing" at you would feel very happy in having their income halved at one go (and yours appears to have suffered even more with you being sick at the moment) even when they have had an income far in excess of minimum wage to start with!:rolleyes: .

The OS board is a very friendly place, and there are absolutely masses of people on there who should make most of the rest of us ashamed at the way they manage to make a penny do a pounds work. There are some lovely scrumptious recipes to make the cheapest of meals seem like a banquet, and whilst this does not help one to reduce the actual household overheads it may well help you to stay fed.

I believe (although I might be wrong here) that you may be eligible for help with Council Tax if you are on a low income, although I do not know how low that has to be, sorry.

Good luck with this awful period: I do hope your husband manages to find some more work (even another part-time job would help - I have a friend who earns quite a good living doing three part-time jobs as full time is in short supply around here, and he is able to arrange two of them around his family life as well) and that your health improves soon as well.

moggylover

KimYeovil wrote: »

speechless

Oh good!:rolleyes: