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

Oldernotwiser

Deep_In_Debt wrote: »

I was worse off having a lodger. I lost my single person's CT discount and my bills doubled.

So having a lodger is not always a good thing.

I don't really see how this could be the case. If your bills doubled there was another person to split them with and you surely must have been charging more rent than 25% of the council tax?

ceridwen

Of course we do have to bear in mind that rent levels vary in different parts of the country.

Where I am, for instance, I could charge a pretty high rent level - because its a high cost area to live in and thats the norm to do so. In a cheaper area people maybe couldnt charge anything like as much rent ....

I presume one could charge a rent that was pretty much totally non-inclusive - ie I could say, for instance, that rent was £60 per week AND half share of variable bills (eg fuel, water) AND the 25% C.T. if that was payable (despite my being on benefit). So the £60 would only have to cover that "breakfast" each day. I suppose if the DWP was going to say it wasnt "allowed" to include "breakfast" unless the bills were included in the rent - then change that to £65 per week inclusive and the person would pay their own C.T. (ie that missing 25%).

daviecol

Unfortunately the benefit system only 'works' for some. Others like you and I who try to better themselves by working and buying our own home can't survive on benefits.

When I lost my job I got £56 per week, my gas and electric come to £120 per month, water £25, Poll Tax £99, mortgage £300 I could go on but basically if your a hard working decent person you can't live off benefits because you won't know how to 'work the system'.

I wish you all the best in finding a job, until then borrow from family if possible. But basically getting a job is the only long term answer.

Best wishes

casterweb

The OP hasn't elaborated on the sacking incident, and although some sackings are justified, a lot (especially in the private sector) are not. I've worked for many 'hire and fire' merchants in the past who were ruthless in handing out P45's for ridiculous reasons.

However, I understand that the DWP need sanctions otherwise the whole system would collapse.

Surviving on £39 per week is nigh on impossible for months on end without living off handouts from others.

The OP has mentioned looking for jobs in his/her 'skill'. If you really are struggling and you think you may lose your home, you need to think about taking ANY job on. Go around to as many agencies as possible and tell them you will do anything. Take temporary jobs (however awful) until the sanction period has expired. When the temp job has finished you should be able to sign on again and get the full entitlement straight away.

Hammyman

sh1305 wrote: »

My JSA agreement states I have to use the internet daily to search for jobs.

What would it say if you told the advisor you didn't have internet access?

What would it have said had the internet not been invented?

Have you been asked to produce a log from your ISP to prove you've looked for jobs on the internet?

HappyMJ

Hammyman wrote: »

What would it say if you told the advisor you didn't have internet access?

What would it have said had the internet not been invented?

Have you been asked to produce a log from your ISP to prove you've looked for jobs on the internet?

I don't understand what you mean I told the advisor I had internet access and I agreed that I would use it to find work. What do you mean it hadn't been invented? It's a bit like saying what if local newspapers were not being printed any more due to them going bankrupt we would agree on something else. I have never been asked to produce a log but every job I applied for on the internet I put into a spreadsheet. I printed that off every two weeks and gave it to the jobcentre when I was signing on. Beats handwriting that silly diary out.

amber1979

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

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

I'm shocked at this.

I was unable to visit a dentist for several months. I ended up with a tooth colapsing and had to have it chipped out of my jaw with a chisel.

Glasses, are also pretty essential for a person to do things...like look for a job perhaps?

Healthcare is NOT an optional extra!

cit_k

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

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.

On the contrary, the young person, could be living with parents who are working, the young person is not going to be eligible for any housing benefit are they... The parents would be paying the rent, at worst, the kid may contribute a bit money, but not always.

Clothing for youngsters is a regular expense, they are pretty fashion conscious, and you were clearly making out they were living a good life on the benefits...

Oldernotwiser

amber1979 wrote: »

I'm shocked at this.

I was unable to visit a dentist for several months. I ended up with a tooth colapsing and had to have it chipped out of my jaw with a chisel.

Glasses, are also pretty essential for a person to do things...like look for a job perhaps?

Healthcare is NOT an optional extra!

I said, "except in an emergency".

I don't think many people would go for regular dental check ups or choose to buy new glasses in the (maximum) 26 weeks of a sanction when on £40. When on JSA long term, then obviously one would budget for this out of the higher payments you receive.

Oldernotwiser

daviecol wrote: »

.

When I lost my job I got £56 per week, my gas and electric come to £120 per month, water £25, Poll Tax £99, mortgage £300 I could go on but basically if your a hard working decent person you can't live off benefits because you won't know how to 'work the system'.

But you don't pay the mortgage and council tax out of JSA and you obviously have to cut down on utilities!