on benefits, in debt

seh567

I am single and have been self employed in the building industry for the last 4 years. Unfortunately the work has dried up so I am hoping to get a paye job. However this seems to be more difficult than I thought so I have had to resort to claiming jobseekers allowance, housing & council tax benefit until I find work. I signed on about 3 weeks ago but have not yet received a letter or any monies, I rang jobcentre yesterday and they say there is a backlog and it could take another 3 weeks so I am really struggling now as my HB & CTB is dependent on me getting JSA. My parents are helping out finacially at the moment but they are retired and do not have a bottomless pit regards to savings. Even when I get benefits it will work out at about £700 per month which I could barely survive on but I will struggle to pay unsecured credit card & loan debts which I pay approx £400 per month. Up to now I have had an excellent credit rating so I am really worried about how I am going to deal with debt withoug affecting my credit rating. Below is my SOA showing what I will receive when I get my benefits and my outgoings. I would be very grateful for any advice.


Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 700
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 700

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured loan repayments................. 0
Rent.................................... 378
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 88
Electricity............................. 35
Gas..................................... 30
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 10
Telephone (land line)................... 11
Mobile phone............................ 20
TV Licence.............................. 10
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 8
Internet Services....................... 8
Groceries etc. ......................... 60
Clothing................................ 5
Petrol/diesel........................... 30
Road tax................................ 15
Car Insurance........................... 25
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 7
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 3
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 4
Entertainment........................... 10
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 757

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 2000
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 2000

No Secured Debt

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
c card.........................2500......60........14.9
c card.........................3000......80........16.9
loan...........................7000......270.......8.8
Total unsecured debts..........12500.....410.......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 700
Expenses (including secured debts)....... 757
Available for debt repayments........... -57
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 410
Surplus(deficit if negative)............ -467

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 2,000
Total Secured debt...................... -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,500
Net Assets.............................. -10,500

Penny2myName

If you live in a local council home, then when you get your JSA, you will be entitled to full housing and council tax benefit. which will release £466 for you to use on debt repayment. If you are in private rented, then normally you get between 60-80% towards your rent paid for you. Council tax should still work out as full benefit.

Sorry I cant be of more help

immoral_angeluk

Can you breakdown what you are expecting to recieve with the benefits as £700 soley from benefits seems high.
The HB/CTB is NOT totally dependant on you recieving JSA. If there is a JSA backlog call up the council and ask them to assess your HB/CTB on your income for the time being as that we kick start that claim rather than waiting for JSA.

seh567

Ive included HB & CT in my incomings under benefits £700 so it won't release any more monies for paying off my loans unfortunately. But thanks for the advice

pepe2008

When you get the JSA sorted out, think about your debts then. can you afford t pay them and all the interest? You dont have a property to protect so maybe you can come to some sort of arrangement. this depends on your future plans and your possible requirements for credit.

seh567

I calculated the benefits as follows:-

JSA 60.50 x 4 = £242
HA £378
CT = £ 88

I've been in touch with the local council but they won't do anything until I provide 2 bank statements which is no problem and a letter from Dept of works and pensions which I can't provide until they confirm JSA