Can my local council tell me how working 'X' hours will affect my housing benefit?

Izbizzle

I'm currently in receipt of housing benefit, and have some job prospects coming my way. If I ring/email my local council, will they be able to tell me how going from unemployed to working say 20 hours per week (at minimum wage) will affect my housing benefit? Do you think they are likely to tell me or would they see this as inappropriate? I need to know as it may not be worth my while to get that particular job if I only end up being, say, £20 per week better off

Thanks.

Hammyman

Yes they can. You just need to tell them what the income is likely to be.

need to know as it may not be worth my while to get that particular job if I only end up being, say, £20 per week better off

Whilst you may only be £20 better off, surely for your own self esteem you'd be better working or does living on the dole not bother you? You'd also get out of the house as well for 20hrs a week and get proper adult conversation.

HappyMJ

You are going to be slated on this thread if you say that but I agree with you. You need to weigh up whether it's worth it or not as the taper rate on HB is 65% and the taper rate on CTB is 20% which means you only get to keep 15% of whatever you earn. As you are unemployed you'll lose the £65.45 per week but you'll get a £65.45 deduction from your weekly earnings so you may not lose as much as you think. You could work 20 hours at minimum wages at £5.93 paying £1 per week in NI less the £65.45 personal allowance which means you should lose about £44 per week in HB and CTB benefits.

lauzellen

Do you have children?

Put your details as they would be into this benefits checker calculator and it should give you an idea as to what you should be entitled to.. http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Blobby8_2

I wouldnt bother taking any job really, I mean if you can plan to take a break to Marrakech(sic) costing £319 plus flights plus spends while on benefits whats the point in working.

Blobby8_2

sp-1986 wrote: »

why does it bother you so much that people want to be on benefits, you sound like a bitter old man.

if KNOW loadsssss of people that claim they are on benefits and work full time cash it hand... does that make you more bitter... :rotfl:

Which is precisely why the condems are going to batter their way through the benefit system causing unquantifiable harm to genuine claimants. Whilst your scummy mates will just shrug & find another way of screwing the system.

Izbizzle

Thanks for the advice. I don't enjoy being unemployed at all, and yes, any job for any amount of money is worth taking. I just want to know for my own peace of mind, and whether asking would make me look like a 'skank' or not, but I guess it does? There are millions of people on benefits, are you saying that every single one is abusing the system? Receiving housing benefit is not a lifestyle choice. These benefits are here for a reason, some people really need them. I am currently studying (the equivalent of full time) towards a science degree with the Open University, so that one day I might be able to better myself and make up for the fact that I have been 'scrounging' benefits. My self-esteem from being on benefits is at an all time low and I persevere because I know I can turn things around.

Blobby8 wrote: »

I wouldnt bother taking any job really, I mean if you can plan to take a break to Marrakech(sic) costing £319 plus flights plus spends while on benefits whats the point in working.

FYI I have never been on holiday nor have I booked this because I simply can't justify it! It was my curiosity getting the better of me, everyone can dream.

Oldernotwiser

sp-1986 wrote: »

Keep crying :rotfl: :T

If you you think the government are here to help you have another thing coming. You do realise the money you pay towards taxes goes to the corporation.

I see our wind up merchant's spread his wings to another thread!

meerustar

Izbizzle wrote: »

I'm currently in receipt of housing benefit, and have some job prospects coming my way. If I ring/email my local council, will they be able to tell me how going from unemployed to working say 20 hours per week (at minimum wage) will affect my housing benefit? Do you think they are likely to tell me or would they see this as inappropriate? I need to know as it may not be worth my while to get that particular job if I only end up being, say, £20 per week better off

Thanks.

You'll be more than £20 per week better off in the long run as you'll save on heating, electricity, food etc, and you'll feel so much better in yourself.

And 'only £20 per week better off' for now. Once you have experience under your belt, you'll then be £30, £40, £££ better off per week.

The only way is up. Good luck with your new job

Blobby8_2

sp-1986 wrote: »

Keep crying :rotfl: :T

If you you think the government are here to help you have another thing coming. You do realise the money you pay towards taxes goes to the corporation.

Whats this other thing thats coming ? And FYI I dont pay tax.