Can't afford par time job :(

bonniepirate

Hi

My husband and I have been on JSA now for about 6 months and have been getting help with paying our mortgage. Both of us are well educated and actively seeking employment.

My husband was going stir crazy so took a part time casual job in a local Game store, earning minimum wage. He is not working full time but does work more than 24 hours some weeks.

JSA have just written to me to say we are no longer getting any money or help with our mortgage leaving us £200 WORSE OFF per month. We literally cannot afford to pay our bills and our mortgage.

Is their decision correct? Is he in fact better off not working a part time job? That seems so ridiculous

Thanks!

DX2

Does he qualify for working tax credits?

Patrick20

I'm not clued up on it all but isnt JSA only £63 a week? And surely the can only take his JSA off him? How much help do you get with mortgage weekly? is he earning exactly minimum wage? how many hours precicely is he doing?

Can't do the math without the variables.

bonniepirate

we don't have any children but he does work more than 30 hours some week so perhaps? Thanks for the pointer, I will call the SS Office in the morning

bonniepirate

we were getting £400 per month as a couple plus £305 for our mortgage plus £100 per month on rates.

He is earning £5.80 per hour and works a variety of hours per week ranging from 8 - 40 hours. It's a casual job so he only finds out each week how much he'll be working. I worked out the difference on average of 25 hours per week.

Patrick20

8-40 is too much of a difference for this job to e worthwhile long term. I suggest he starts looking for another asap. While he has this job he will have a better chance of getting another. So what seems like a step back it may be a gaint leap to bigger and better things. Btw welcome to the forum. Dont just disapear after your helped here. There are plenty parts of the forum that will help whatever money your getting go further. Bask in the wisdom of MSE.com

Maybe you should pop into the Citizens Advice to see if they can sort it out with you. That is unless someone pops along to help you out soon. Which i'm sure will happen since people on here are very helpful.

bonniepirate

Thanks Patrick. He is definitely looking for alternative full time employment. We're just in the same boat as everyone else I guess! Thanks for your welcome, I will stick around indeed

krisskross

If he is earning more than about £100 a week it may be that you won't be able to claim JSA either when your contribution based benefit ends. He will be deemed to be earning enough for both of you.

AnxiousMum

If his earnings are less than your combined JSA - would you not qualify maybe for more in terms of housing benefit? Might need to check that out, but in the meanwhile, the poster above is right - alot easier to get a job while you are working than if you are not. If you can struggle by for a few weeks, it may be well worth the struggle and end up in a better position!