help

katygeorge

hi, im new and this is my first ever thread. my names katy. this probly is the wrong area to post this but couldnt really find one it fits in to.

my husband was made redundant in september, and is yet to find another job. we dont have any debts because we were forced to go bankrupt last year, i have a really low paid job working in a nursery. my husband has been refused jod seekers as he didnt pay enough national insurance in 2008 (he was working abroad), we have also been refused - tax credits and income support. we are in the process of doing a claim for council tax benefit but not really feeling very hopefull as so far they have said my meger £800 a month job is enough to support us (what a joke), my mortgage company have let me skip this months payment but i really dont know wheat to about next months.

if anybody has any ideas or help they can offer of where i can turn for help i would be so greatfull

sorry its all a bit rambled but im quite scared

Indie_Kid

Can you change to interest only mortgage?

zagfles

Why were you refused tax credits? How many hours a week do you work?

katygeorge

my mortgage is already on interest only, i was refused tax credits as what my husband had earned between april and september put us over the limit to claim, but we can claim in april, but thats not really helping me now.

katygeorge

oh i work 30 at minimum wage but they didnt seam to care about that it was all about how much money we earn

atrixblue.-MFR-.

if you are awarded some level of CTB you can apply for discretionary housing payment but it isnt a right to that benefit basically its up to the LA to decide whether to pay you it or not and there isnt any appeal to it. i wish you luck.

katygeorge

what is a discretionary housing payment??

zagfles

Unfortunately you've fallen down a hole in the benefits system, or rather 2 - you can't get mortgage interest support if you're working over 16 hours (if you were renting you could get housing benefit), and the tax credits system works on an annual basis so earnings many months ago stop you claiming now. Sorry not much help I know - but this is the sort of thing the new universal credit system should make better.

Good luck - and make sure you keep the mortgage company up to date with your predicament, they are usually quite helpful providing you're open and honest with them and don't put your head in the sand.

[Deleted User]

katygeorge wrote: »

what is a discretionary housing payment??

Avaliable only if you are renting

katygeorge

omg i just did the budget thing on the main site and im £1255.00 short each month, now im finding it hard to work out how we have managed 4 months, i know our saving have totally gone. he really needs to get a job

Indie_Kid

Can you cut down on anything? Have a look on the old style board for cheap recipes. Can you reduce tariffs for gas, electric, Sky, mobile phone, etc?