How do you up your income when claiming WFTC/CTC and HB

life_in_termoil

I was just wondering how people manage to up their income when claiming WFTC/CTC and housing benefit.

If I got a second job id pay more tax, and all of the above benefits would be reduced so I probably wouldnt be any better off

real1314

life_in_termoil wrote: »

I was just wondering how people manage to up their income when claiming WFTC/CTC and housing benefit.

If I got a second job id pay more tax, and all of the above benefits would be reduced so I probably wouldnt be any better off

Well, there is the problem. If you up your "wages" by £5 you'll probably lose £2 to £4.50 in benefit reductions.

IDS wants to find a new way. But until he sorts that out, the only answer is to accept the miminal extra amount you get for every £5, until you start to escape the benefit trap. It's the only way to have a future.:cool:

life_in_termoil

I dont think I am ever going to escape the benefit trap... unless
I land myself a job earning over 30 grand a year or
I win the lottery or
I inherit alot of money or
Find myself a rich boyfriend or
Wait till all the kids have moved out and I find somewhere cheap to live OR
ex gets himself a job and starts paying maintenance!!!

d123

real1314 wrote: »

Well, there is the problem. If you up your "wages" by £5 you'll probably lose £2 to £4.50 in benefit reductions.

Not really, the odds of having 2 jobs and still earning under the WTC threshold is probably slim, taking the 2nd job will probably lose all all (or virtually all) WTC entitlement.

life_in_termoil

So unless I can find a second job within walking distance from home then its not really worth while

dmg24

life_in_termoil wrote: »

So unless I can find a second job within walking distance from home then its not really worth while

Of course it is - that job could lead onto something with more money, and so gradually you will become more self sufficient. However if you don't have the second job, there is no scope to progress in it - you've got to be in it to win it!

leveller2911

life_in_termoil wrote: »

I dont think I am ever going to escape the benefit trap... unless
I land myself a job earning over 30 grand a year or
I win the lottery or
I inherit alot of money or
Find myself a rich boyfriend or
Wait till all the kids have moved out and I find somewhere cheap to live OR
ex gets himself a job and starts paying maintenance!!!

You could also try further education and get qualified in an occupation that generally pays £30k a year.You need to aim higher than you appear to be at present.
When I left school I did an apprenticeship and whilst I was getting around £28-00 per week my mates were all earning around £100-00 a week.

Now a few years down the line I'm qualified in my field and earning around £30k a year whilst those same mates are earning about £16k.
Sure you will get knock backs and rejections ,we all did/do but rise above and plug away and if you want it bad enough it will happen.Make the effort during the economic downturn and it will be to your benefit long term...

Good luck.............