How can i survive on £39.25 per week from the Social?

Oldernotwiser

cit_k wrote: »

That may be the rate, but where does it show they are funding everything themselves, running phone, owning a car etc?

Wont most of those in that situation be living with parents, who fund the rent, majority of the bills, probably buy them a car etc etc.

Try living on 52 quid a week, paying rent, gas,electric, car tax, insurance, food bills, money for clothing etc etc etc.

You know perfectly well that nobody has to pay rent out of JSA unless they're living in overpriced accommodation. Running a car is a luxury if you're not working and clothing isn't a regular expense.

JSA has to cover utilities and food with a little left over for personal spending and it is doable.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

just read this thread and wanted to offer my support and hope you find a job soon OP

Its easy for us all to sit in judgement on peoples misfortune but until you have walked a mile in another mans shoes then dont presume to judge how they feel.

-I would try to get a job (obvious and difficult)

-sell what you can

-call in any favours you have, do you now anyone who would give you a job? Have you any skills you could sell to thers such as handyman skills?

-put the word out (use facebook etc) tell all your mates you are in need of a job, how about something you wouldnt have previously considered such as bar work?

good luck, I know lots of people are in the same boat and its not always their fault, its tough out there at the mo. Keep us posted

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

...oooh! just remembered, look on the old style board as they are lovely on there and will help you with recipes and shopping etc, its amazing how little people actually live on and I am in constant admiration of the guys on there

ceridwen

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you couldn't be sanctioned for getting the sack, don't you think that many people would manipulate the situation rather than just walking out?

..and this is where the problem lies sometime and why even some people who get sacked have a benefit sanction - because the DWP has problems in differentiating between those who have been sacked and those who have "set themselves up" to be sacked.

Hence - one has to appeal and prove that it was a genuine dismissal - rather than a situation set up by oneself.

ceridwen

Hammyman wrote: »

£40 a week is enough to put food in your mouth and light and heat a home. In other words, the bare essentials. So you're going to have to get rid of the internet access you're obviously paying for, mobile phone, Sky TV, fags, beer and all the other none-essentials people seem to think they can live without.

..looking forward to your suggestions as to what to do about the mortgage/insurance/health care costs?:cool:

hermanmunster_3

Ceridwen - which health care costs?

ceridwen

HappyMJ wrote: »

Yes you seem to have got extremely complex and slightly complicated mixed up. Trust me it's complex... Yes you gain an extra £80 per month but you must then provide at least 1 meal per day to your lodger. You must pay additional on the gas and electric and water bills. I'm assuming they actually want a shower and well it's costs extra to heat that water and provide it. You must also now pay the council tax. Granted you'll get 25% off if just 1 lodger but you must now pay it. My CT bill is £72 per calendar month with 25% off. So I'd only be up by well I wouldn't be up by anything I'd be losing.

I would assume that, in those circumstances, one would provide a "breakfast" to the lodger included in the rent (ie 1 roll and butter and a sachet of instant coffee would count as "breakfast" I would imagine?). People on income support don't pay Council Tax anyway - so there wouldnt be the need to worry about losing the single person discount (until such time as one got back into work and had to start paying C.T. again).

So - if I have my maths right!!!?? - that would mean income from a lodger would be (at an inclusive rent of £75 per week, including "breakfast")
- £20 per week keepable anyway
- and 50% of the other £55 (ie because one had supplied "breakfast")

TOTAL £47.50 (minus those "breakfast" ingredients and whatever extra fuel/water the lodger uses). If the lodger was as careless as they often are with the landlords resources - there would be odd other costs - ie them nicking bits and pieces of your cleaning materials/cosmetics/food and exerting a bit of unfair "wear and tear" on your possessions that werent THAT bad you could charge them for replacement due to something looking "battered", rather than looking "new" as it would have if they werent living there too.

ceridwen

hermanmunster wrote: »

Ceridwen - which health care costs?

Well - just counting most peoples standard level costs:

- visits to dentist and hygienist (unless they have an NHS dentist)(even with my "cheaper" dentist I estimate I need a minimum of £2 per week on average allocated just to that - assuming all that is ever done is check-ups and cleaning - but ITRW there is also the odd filling and very occasional x-ray too). So - once in a while there is also £20-£80 for a filling as well.
- cost of any glasses required (over and above the level of help the NHS gives towards these)
- chiropodist if required
- any "alternative" remedies necessary for anything

Oldernotwiser

ceridwen wrote: »

Well - just counting most peoples standard level costs:

- visits to dentist and hygienist (unless they have an NHS dentist)(even with my "cheaper" dentist I estimate I need a minimum of £2 per week on average allocated just to that - assuming all that is ever done is check-ups and cleaning - but ITRW there is also the odd filling and very occasional x-ray too). So - once in a while there is also £20-£80 for a filling as well.
- cost of any glasses required (over and above the level of help the NHS gives towards these)
- chiropodist if required
- any "alternative" remedies necessary for anything

But you don't have that sort of thing done (unless in an emergency) when you're not working.

Indie_Kid

hermanmunster wrote: »

Ceridwen - which health care costs?

People on IBJSA get full help. Those on cont. based can apply using a HC1 form. And there is no reason why someone would have all those costs at once.