How can we survive on benefits????

Lovaabargain

After 2 months of no income (dh was self-employed & his business went into liquidation) dh got his JSA letter this morning advising him that he will receive the grand total of £35.00 a week, apparently the govt has decided that a couple only need £90 a week to survive! So my wages plus dh's JSA = £90. We also get child tax credit of £149 a week ( we've got 4 children under 16) which brings us to a total of £239 a week so how are we meant to pay for food, bills, mortgage, council tax etc.

We have applied to the Council for council tax benefit but haven't heard back from them yet.

We have applied to the bank to freeze the mortgage until we've sold the house but are still waiting for a reply.

We've got our house on the market & are hoping that it will sell quickly to pay off dh's business debts & we will be moving to a cheaper area.

We've both worked since leaving school, paying tax & NIC have never ever claimed any benefit before & can't believe how little help the govt are prepared to give us!

Dh has applied for over 50 jobs in the last month & has received an acknowledgment for 2, he's also been told by a couple of others that he's too old! (he's 45!!!) for them to employ him.

hjb123

I know first hand what its like living off benefits and its hard but I have had to adjust - luckily I have supportive parents and am currently living with them!

Have you tried https://www.entitledto.co.uk ?

What is best to do is sit down and write down all your income on one side of the paper and on the other side write down all the obligatory expenditure at present - ie, mortgage, electric, council tax etc. Add the two sides up and see what the difference is.

Also maybe try your local Citizens Advice Bureau - they may be able to advise you if you are entitled to anything else or help you organise the finances.

What sort of business was your husband in?

mrcow

Lovaabargain wrote:

So my wages plus dh's JSA = £90. We also get child tax credit of £149 a week ( we've got 4 children under 16) which brings us to a total of £239 a week so how are we meant to pay for food, bills, mortgage, council tax etc.

Are you getting child allowance too?

bargainaddict

if you have mortgage payment protection have you checked whether it will pay out in these circumstances?

Have you added your child benefit to your original figures? If your 16yr old is staying on at school or college make sure they apply for EMA, they will get up to £30 a week.

I really feel for you, my hubby is on JSA of £57.50 a week. I really hope it all works out for you. x x

rubytuesday

I believe it is illegal for firms not to employ someone due to age!

black-saturn

You will get help with the council tax and school dinners. You will also still get child benefit. The figure you have been given is the same as every other couple on benefit so it is possible. You will have to learn to adjust your spending habits to accommodate it.

Lovaabargain

Thanks for the replies!

It was a reprographics company & this liquidation business has hit him hard.

Yes we are getting child benefit as well, ds1 doesn't qualify for EMA as they base the entitlement on earnings from April 2005/2006 when dh's business was still doing ok, he'll be able to claim next year apparently.

In reply to the comment made by Black Saturn " You will have to learn to adjust your spending habits to accomodate it" - we don't have an extravagent lifestyle it's just that things like mortgage ( we don't have mortgage protection), council tax, water rates, gas, electric, loans (from dh's business) are well in excess of £239 & that's before allowing for food & other essentials for the children.

I'm just hoping that the house sells quickly so that we can pay everything we owe!

Bogof_Babe

Couldn't you increase your own hours of work? Hubby can look after the younger children, couldn't he?

liney

Plus £64 per week in child benefit, so £300 per week.

Some suggestions.

Are you sure business loans were given without payment protection?
Stop smoking if either of you do.
Cancell Sky TV if you have it - pay out £20 for freeview if you must.
Go through the house for clutter, ie things to sell on Ebay or car boot - it all helps.

Immediate savings there if they apply. Best of luck to DH on finding work quickly.

black-saturn

I'm not on benefit but the OP should take a look at my SOA and she will see that even though I work she is getting more than I am!!! This is how I make ends meet:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=236481&highlight=shave+soa

liney

You don't have a mortgage, and she has 4 children not 2. That will make a huge difference.

Another thought sprang to mind - the EMA you aren't getting. Would they not accept confirmation from the Job Center that DH is not working and recalculate the figures. I know tax credits will recalculate if you inform them of a large drop.