scared- soa advise please look

singleme

single parent with 9 and 4.5 year old

monthly income

ctc 385
income support 247
chb 135
housing benefit 494
average avon 127
TOTAL 1388

expenses pcm
rent 500
housekeeping 350
gas/electric 60- up to 70
water 25
telephone 40
petrol 60
clothing/shoes 65
internet 10
tv licence 12
2 birthdays/2 christmas 15
childcare for evening college 30
road tax 11
car insurance/breakdown 25
mot/repairs 15
school activitys 20
holidays 65
hair cuts 15
opticians 15 actually forgot about my lenses! cant afford glasses-cheapest with nhs voucher were still £200!
TOTAL 1343

surplus of 45 so even if internet 10 and christmas/birthdays 15 disallowed only surplus of 70

but when they take of my chb from income its deficit of 65

so my figures are pretty safe/realistic?!

chelseabun_3

As I put in your other thread

Try these -
Prescriptions / dentist / optician £20
Put gas/elec up to at least 80, to allow for price increases and winter. They don't usually ask for bills.
We had pressies left in, so it's worth a go.
Are kid's activities educational? Not sure whether they're allowed, but leave them in!

Do they take something off your benefits for the Avon? If so, I think you're still counted as unemployed, so wouldn't have an IPA anyway, but I may not be right in thinking that!

HTH:D