Save money on benefits, tax credits, low income

Fran

Re school meals, I've spent ages trying to find the right information, the following is a quote from this website:

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/Education/meals.htm

"Free School Meals are only available to the children of parents/guardians who are in receipt of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based) or Child Tax Credit (i.e. CTC—annual income not exceeding £13,230 and NOT also receiving Working Tax (Credit) and where the parents have successfully completed the application process. No other benefit or allowance qualifies parents/guardians for free school meals for children."

Perhaps we could compile a list of useful websites? Anyone know of any useful , easy to use ones? I've just found two:
http://www.singleparents.org.uk/index.php?_menu=TOP&issue=NONE&_section=MON_SAV&gen=Y
http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/
Re help with school travel - my children go to school in a different authority area to where I now live. I am still waiting for a decision from the school area after they passed it back to my home authority (who passed it back to them). I first wrote to them in August. So apply as soon as you know you might be in a different situation!

polandro

These two are great for finding out the supermarket deals before you shop

http://www.fixtureferrets.co.uk/

http://www.madaboutbargains.co.uk/?page=home

Savvy_Sue

Re help with school travel - my children go to school in a different authority area to where I now live. I am still waiting for a decision from the school area after they passed it back to my home authority (who passed it back to them). I first wrote to them in August. So apply as soon as you know you might be in a different situation!

Might be worth having a 'listen again' to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/learningcurve.shtml
as they were discussing school transport costs. Part of it revolved around whether the LEA was discriminating against atheists by not paying transport for such children NOT to attend the nearest school if the nearest school was CofE, and I missed the substantive part of the debate!

I don't know, but I don't think your 'home' LEA is obliged to pay transport to an out of area school unless there's a compelling reason for your child not to attend one within the home LEA, eg because of a 'Statement', possibly if the out of area school is the nearest suitable for religious reasons. Not making the kids move school just because you've moved house might be a compelling reason. But shilly shallying around since August and passing the buck from one to the other isn't fair - have you considered getting a local councillor to look into it or writing to your MP?

Savvy_Sue

My kids schools in Wales have never contributed to school uniform unfortunately, I don't know if that applies to all of Wales or how much of other countries ???

I don't suppose schools can subsidise school uniform out of their budgets, but if it's a problem they may be able to point you towards other sources of help. At my kids' first primary school, the local church used to give money towards sweatshirts for families in need. Then a new head decreed that blazers and ties should be worn! Fortunately we'd moved away by then and I understand the local Health Visitors now spend a considerable amount of time trying to help families get their kids kitted out.

IF the Local Education Authority gives grants, they will be means tested, I am sure, so apply in good time.

If the schools don't have second hand uniform shops, see if you can get the PTA geared up to run one! Or make friends with families with bigger kids at the same school ;D

Fran

Savvy_Sue - Thanks for your comments. By coincidence I had a phone call from the local authority today so hopefully school transport issue will be resolved soon.

frugalgenius

PS i love the name Morrigan.........does it have some sort of meaning such as good wih money, or drives a hard bargain?

well i'd like to say it does but actually morrigan is the mother aspect of a lunar triple goddess in pre celtic and early celtic (irish) mythology. she was a warrior goddess so i guess maybe that's why i am good at driving a hard bargain! LOL

frugalgenius

Hi Morrigan - Did you get the info you needed on tax credits? This link may be helpful if not:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/

I'm sure you have some interesting things to contribute here.......

thanks for the link i've bookmarked it and will have a good look tomorrow (i've 'borrowed' fifteen minutes on the computer from dh tonight!)

i'm sorry i haven't been back to post for awhile, had 3 computer viruses last week so i've been playing catch up since we had to reformat the harddrive!

i had a good look through the small business info on here today so i'll definately be around. i have my first small business seminar tomorrow night (women into business) and then next tuesday i go to the starting into business seminar and get and advisor etc, can't wait!

i am curious to know if anyone here has experience with ctc and wtc when self employed? sounds even trickier than normal!

filigree_2

Don't pay by direct debit because every now and then a yearly bill, birthdays, something unexpected will crop up and you may want to pay other bills a week or two later than normal.

This goes against Martin's advice (I got the book yesterday!). As he points out, how can Christmas be an "unexpected expense"?!

Christmas is a danger period, especially as it coincides with our most expensive electricity and gas bills. If I get a credit card statement, TV licence demand and two substantial utilities bills in the space of a few weeks, how can I find all that cash if I don't budget for it 52 weeks of the year??

Some people can't use DD because they can't get a bank account. In those cases, payment stamps can be really useful. My Mum swore by stamps - she would collect the Family Allowance and immediately buy stamps to pay the bills. She recommended this because once the money is in stamps, you can't be tempted to blow it on anything else. She also told me that payment stamps do not count as savings and this is a legal way to reduce your savings. Not sure if this advice is up to date though.

Fran

Filigree -

I would budget for christmas etc. if I knew that nothing was going to crop up all year and that I wouldn't have to dip into the christmas savings anyway. The trouble with being on benefits is that often you have no savings, so no contingency for any item that might occur - sudden school trip, car repair, broken kettle. It just couldn't work for me as I'd end up without enough money in the account at some stage for a direct debit and then being charged. ??? The work I get is temporary contracts so there's never any guarantee when I'll get the next income. I do start buying christmas presents early though - about October/November - cos there's all nephews and neices to buy for...

System

@ frugalgenius

CTC and WTC are no problem if you are self employed, they look at the nett figure earned on your last tax return and you get paid accordingly. You just need to let them know if you are likely to earn alot more or less so they can adjust it.

If you have any queries they are extremely helpful over the phone, they amended my payments this year without even having to fill in paperwork.

Hope that helps