Help!!

Sarah69

I hope somebody can help me. I am a part-time employed single mother of 2 children aged 13 + 18. I claim Working tax credit. child tax credit for 1 child, child benefit for 1 child, the wages I recieve from work, full housing and council tax benefit. I have been off sick from work since the end of March this year so im now on SSP. I am still not fit for work and at the moment not sure if I will ever be able to return to work. From the 15th of Oct im losing SSP of £79 and getting Employment and Support Allowance of £65. I will also be losing £71 of Working tax credit so in total i will be losing £85 a week. Does anyone know if there is another benefit I can claim? Ive been told be my local Jobcentre that there isnt anything else I can get. I've spoken to my bank today regarding a bank loan I have and and not being able to cover the payments whilst im in this situation. They did a calculation over the phone and to sum it up I have more outgoings than I have incoming. I am very scared cos I really dont know what I can do. I have recently re-negociated deals with my internet and phone, I have spoken to British Gas about that and my electricity and they have reduced my bills by 10% but thats only because I am in credit. Can anyone make any suggestions please??

Indie_Kid

Housing benefit if you rent and council tax benefit. You may get more child tax credits.

AnxiousMum

Is the father of your children still around? He should be contributing child support which I didn't see in your income. What is your 18 yr old doing? I imagine not in full time education or else you would still be getting child benefit for two children - so is that child working? If they are, they should be contributing in terms of room and board payments to you which would, even at £20 per week, make up for your loss of working tax credit and more.

Duncombe

sh1305 wrote: »

Housing benefit if you rent and council tax benefit. You may get more child tax credits.

The OP stated they already get full HB and CTB.

OP. Benefits are not designed to cover personal loans/debts so it looks doubtful that you will be entitled to anything further. You're weekly income will already be faily significant if you are in receipt of ESA, CB and CTC.

beth58_2

I was in the same situation not so long ago.. Working tax credit runs on for 28 weeks from date of sickness, once this stops there are additional family premiums you will be entitled to as well as your H/CT benefit continuing. Check out the benefit calculator on this site, might also be worth going back to your gas/elec suppiers and informing them to see if they can put you on a lower tariff.