Low income whilst working abroad .....

littlejimmy

I am moving to France in a few weeks to start work with a UK based company, I am going to be paid in UK sterling into my UK bank account. I will be paid the grand sum of £76 net per week for on average 50hrs per week. :eek:

I haven't received contract yet, it's possible they will be paying me slightly more per week, in line with minimum wage, but they will be taking the additional pay back off me each week for food/lodgings etc..

Where do I stand with Income Support or Council Tax Benefit while I am abroad? (my work contract is for 6 months and there is a very strong chance of that being extended by at least another 6 months)

CIS

Out of curiosity , whats the job ?

This link should give you a lot of the info you need
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/

boogiemaster

wouldn’t even go to France with that wage! I think you’re pulling our leg or you’re mad!!!!
Forest gump springs to mind? Stupid is as stupid does!!!!!
Stay at home and get a job over here!

littlejimmy

Oops, should've made that more clear ... :rotfl: ... I am working for a holiday company, and I am getting some decent non-cash benefits such as ski and boot hire for free, also the ski-pass is provided for the entire period of employment. :j

Also contract makes clear that they will in fact be paying me £178 per week, from which they will take money out for food and lodgings. I am pretty sure that this would still qualify as low income?

boogiemaster

It will, but your working for another country and I doubt you will be entitled to benefits while you’re working abroad.
You will still have to pay your rent council tax and I think you will be worse off, because benefits won’t pay your rent when you’re working abroad!
Benefits are for people that don’t have a job but you will have a job and will have to come of benefits so that means paying full rent and council tax I’m afraid.
You cannot have it both ways!

elaine373

I am unsure, If the job is based in the uk,head quarters, wages etc. but involves travelling abroad, doesnt that make it working in the uk. Maybe i am as stupid as stupid is!!

boogiemaster

He is working in France, but he will still have to pay his own rent and won’t get help from benefits.
He is paid by a company in the UK, but he is working in France and he isn’t classed as working in the uk.
The company he works for is based in the UK, but he’s going abroad to work so no he’s not working in the UK.

CIS

Hes best off checking with the HMRC to see how it effects his income tax and NI (and possibly how the minimum wage applies to a UK empoyer abroad), I have the feeling he may be liable to tax in the UK on his earnings, depending on whether he breaks the residence rules or not.

littlejimmy

Thanks for your input thus far guys (and gals!)

I am actually a homeowner, and I have never been in this situation before, always paid my own way and have never received a penny from the government in benefits.

I am enquiring because this is something I would really like to do, but it's very nearly an untenable situation because of the low income involved.

exil

£76 a week after paying for accommodation and food sounds not very much, but it is above benefit level!