On benefits - effect of a low paid job

property.advert

If I take a job which is over 16 hours but which pays near minimum wage, are their any issues to consider ?

I think part time is under 16 hours but what is this about 30+ hours ? and how does say 18/20 hours fit into this ?

I've ploughed the numbers through the entitled to website but I'd like to know what I'm going to experience from the Job Centre and how the full time, part time come in the middle thing will pan out of I take the job.

I'd like to do it but I don't want grief from the benefits people. I'm a single parent of a 2 1/2 year old and yes, if I needed child care then that would be an issue as well but I haven't got to that yet.

karenx

If working over 16 hours you lose income support but you will get working tax credits. You will also lose some housing benefit

property.advert

karenx wrote: »

If working over 16 hours you lose income support but you will get working tax credits. You will also lose some housing benefit

What is the meaning of the bands though ?

0-15
16-29
30+

Specifically the middle one, the 16-29, which is where I would be. Why is that different (if it is) to the 30+ hours ?

Caz3121

number of hours worked to trigger entitlement
0-15 no working tax credits
16-29 working tax credits for parents and disabled
30+ working tax credits for anyone else

jdturk

besides the point that benefits should not be a way of life hopefully some constructive points may help

1) Getting a job will most likely help social skills
2) It can be good for wellbeing
3) It prevents long gaps appearing on a CV and can help you progress career wise if you choose to
4) You are putting something back into the government pot
5) It can provide some sort of a basis for an organised regime.


Now I'm not saying you don't have these but the points could go on and on and the question you should be thinking about is even if working the 16 hours reduces your benefits would the long term benefits far outweight a life living on benefits?

Indie_Kid

There's a 30 hour element within WTC.

andyandflo

sh1305 wrote: »

There's a 30 hour element within WTC.

Hi, That is correct. For all others, yes the 30 hr rule applies. BUT if you have any level of DLA payment, the entitlement also applies for the 16-29 band. So if you want the full time band for TC, see if you can get any DLA entitlement - then you can be treated as being in full time work for only 17 hours + pw! Lower Mobility - £18.65pw certainly opens a lot of doors!!

property.advert

Caz3121 wrote: »

number of hours worked to trigger entitlement
0-15 no working tax credits
16-29 working tax credits for parents and disabled
30+ working tax credits for anyone else

Is none of this linked to how much you earn ?

Tobiwan_Kenobi

I would recommend making an appointment to see a Lone Parent Adviser at your JCP as there are some really good people in these posts. Ask them to carry out a BOC (Better off Calculation) for you - You give them all your current figures and then they can change them to include working. It gives you a fantastic illustration of where you will be financially if you're working rather than claiming.

Tax credits and benefits are linked to how much you earn, but the prime triggers are the hours as stated above.

andyandflo

jdturk wrote: »

besides the point that benefits should not be a way of life hopefully some constructive points may help

1) Getting a job will most likely help social skills
2) It can be good for wellbeing
3) It prevents long gaps appearing on a CV and can help you progress career wise if you choose to
4) You are putting something back into the government pot
5) It can provide some sort of a basis for an organised regime.


Now I'm not saying you don't have these but the points could go on and on and the question you should be thinking about is even if working the 16 hours reduces your benefits would the long term benefits far outweight a life living on benefits?

Hey, does that apply to all? I gave up my full time employment (£25,000pa) to go on to benefits because of illness and the fact that the net household income was to be no different from when working! I know we are talking about younger people, but please explain how at 60 my social skills will improve. I've already given up on people after 44 years of working life! Seen too much and prefer my wife, garden and dog to anything else. Working makes makes me feel good in myself? It darned nearly killed me!! I don't think at my age I need worry about CV's - never had them before. Hey after 44 years of putting something into the Government pot, never before claiming anything, don't you think that the Government should pay something back to me? Organised regime, been there done that - many years as a (volunteer) member of the TA and seen action in Northern Ireland!!!!
Talking through your R********

missmontana

Tobiwan_Kenobi wrote: »

I would recommend making an appointment to see a Lone Parent Adviser at your JCP as there are some really good people in these posts. Ask them to carry out a BOC (Better off Calculation) for you - You give them all your current figures and then they can change them to include working. It gives you a fantastic illustration of where you will be financially if you're working rather than claiming.

Tax credits and benefits are linked to how much you earn, but the prime triggers are the hours as stated above.

I just had one of those done, maybe I will post those figures over in the DISCUSSION section.