Impossible to live on JSA

mark5

The mortgage help isnt as good as it sounds though, its for a certain interest rate (quite low now i think, boe base rate being low etc), so if your fixed at a higher rate you could still face a shortfall.

It pi**es me off ppl can live off benefits for years quite well with loads of hand outs, but workers who get made redundant never seem to qualify for as much and are given little help by the job centre!

Good luck!

Ocean007

The SMI interest rate for everyone (irrespective of the rate that each mortgage is actually on) is 6.08%, not bad considering some people will now be on 0%.

The help available for people out of work is better than it was a couple of months ago as the government has reduced the waiting time for SMI from 39 weeks to 13 weeks in an attempt to reduce repossessions and the amount that SMI can be claimed on has been raised from £100,000 to £200,000.

In order to stay sane I'm counting the blessings (and moneysavings!).

Good luck.

Rikmeister

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Some good ones there that i am going to follow up on.

I might get out to my bank if this snow stops. Its about 16 inches deep and still snowing..

Regards

RIK

Numpty_Monkey

Have you checked on
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Oldernotwiser

mark5 wrote: »

It pi**es me off ppl can live off benefits for years quite well with loads of hand outs, but workers who get made redundant never seem to qualify for as much and are given little help by the job centre!

Benefit rates are the same for everyone; perhaps now's the time to reconsider your views about benefits claimants "getting loads of hand outs".

mark5

So its okay that someone can live off benefits for years having never worked but having had children at a young age without making contributions to tax and NI. While someone whos worked in various jobs over that period without ever claiming anything then has to wait 13 weeks before getting help with mortgage payments (normally the biggest outgoing!)so in the short term that they maybe unemployed will have a lot less money to live off than MR or MISS career benefit claimant.

In normal economic circumstances with jobs being available in the surrounding area a new js claimant whos always worked will be back in work by the time the mortgage help kicks in, the help should be there from day 1!

Welfare should be payed at its highest rate to new claimants with a good record of tax and NI contributions and then drop down week by week to a minimum amount for those who have never payed in.

How can ppl who have never worked or payed tax be entitled to tax credits and housing benefit etc, olderbutnotwiser?

sorry for going away from your original post voyager!

Oldernotwiser

mark5 wrote: »

So its okay that someone can live off benefits for years having never worked but having had children at a young age without making contributions to tax and NI. While someone whos worked in various jobs over that period without ever claiming anything then has to wait 13 weeks before getting help with mortgage payments (normally the biggest outgoing!)so in the short term that they maybe unemployed will have a lot less money to live off than MR or MISS career benefit claimant.

In normal economic circumstances with jobs being available in the surrounding area a new js claimant whos always worked will be back in work by the time the mortgage help kicks in, the help should be there from day 1!

Welfare should be payed at its highest rate to new claimants with a good record of tax and NI contributions and then drop down week by week to a minimum amount for those who have never payed in.

How can ppl who have never worked or payed tax be entitled to tax credits and housing benefit etc, olderbutnotwiser?

sorry for going away from your original post voyager!

I thanked you by mistake, but don't worry about it!

In this country we have some benefits that are contributory and some that are means tested. If you haven't worked at the appropriate time and paid NICs, then you won't be eligible for these contributory benefits. Means tested benefits are paid depending on need rather than based on contributions.

I don't make the rules and personally believe that , if I don't get actively involved in politics, then I have to accept the status quo. Some people believe in online petitions, but I don't.

If you're interested in discussing these issues (and many are) I'd have a look at Discussion Time in the Moneysavers Arms Board. There are always discussions going on about just your points.

littlemissmoney

Rikmeister wrote: »

All my other important bills total £500 per month.

If i add on food money and any other overheads i have a short fall of about £700 per month.

Your bills, food and "overheads" seem high!!! If you post a SOA (statement of affairs) on the debt free wanna be board the lovely people over there will help you cut this right down.