How will I survive on £52 per week?

DemiDee

Hi all,

I would really appreciate and value any advice you could give.

I became very ill with grief and depression after my soulmate was murdered in June 09. I had been self employed up until this time, but ended up on sickness benefit for quite some time. About a year ago, even though not 100% well, I felt so dreadful for claiming benefits for so long (have never been dependent on the State before) that I came off sickness benefit and went back to work full time (or rather, seeking to procure work in my self employed capacity). I have been thus getting working tax credit (£52pw) for those on a low income, and £40 pw back to work credit, which only lasts a year. At the end of this month, my 'back to work' credit will end and if I still can only get the odd job here and there I will be essentially living on £52 per week, with an necessary exdenditure of £500 per month (just for mortgage, bills and absolute necessities).

I know that I cannot cope on £52 per week no matter how many cuts I try to make to my daily living allowance. Should I go on jobseekers allowance, or what?? I am fearful of losing the house and have never been in this position before, having always had a job, and much of the time, an evening and weekend job to boot. I have no children and no partner, although I share a joint mortgage with my best friend, and so bills are better than they could be if I was living alone.

Has anyone else been in this predicament or does anyone have any good advice? Maybe I should go to the CAB but I doubt they will be able to tell me any more than what people have actually experienced on here.

nannytone_2

if you are not working 30+ hours a week then youre not entitled to working tax credit anyway!
unless you can prove that you have been working these hours, they will be likely to want the money back.
stop being self employed!
if you are not fit for work, put in a claim for ESA.
if you are fit for work, claim JSA and after 13 weeks you will be eligable to get a % of your mortgage interest paid.
also, if you havent done it already, contact your lender to ask about going on an 'interest only' option.

fluffymovie

Make a claim for council tax benefit with your LA ASAP.

We can look to backdate up to 6 months so explain all that has happened and that might help. Given the details you've stated, I would award it personally so that might help.

passatrider

nannytone wrote: »

if you are not working 30+ hours a week then youre not entitled to working tax credit anyway!
unless you can prove that you have been working these hours, they will be likely to want the money back.
stop being self employed!
if you are not fit for work, put in a claim for ESA.
if you are fit for work, claim JSA and after 13 weeks you will be eligable to get a % of your mortgage interest paid.
also, if you havent done it already, contact your lender to ask about going on an 'interest only' option.[/QUOTE


First of all get off your high horse and treat the OP with some respect.
Next, how do you know that the OP has not been on disability tax credits? They only have to do 16 hours to qualify for this anyhow so get your facts straight before posting.

My advice to the OP would be to close down your self employment registration and either claim ESA if you are unfit for work as suggested or put in a claim for JSA also suggested.

I would tell tax credits as soon as possible because if you do not satisfy the rules then you will be made to pay back any overpayment - this could run into hundreds of pounds if you are not carefull.

Finally, take no notice of the jumped up 'do gooders' who will inevitably jump on you because they are of course perfect and never make mistakes.;)

Hammyman

Yes it is possible to live off £52 a week but its bare essentials only. But I echo the comment about going on JSA and that you should.

RAS

Apply for JSA, CTB and see if you can get any help towards housing after 13 weeks.

MrsManda

Just echoing some of the other posters:
Speak to the HMRC about stopping being self-employed and inform them of your change in circumstances with regards to your tax credits.

Apply for Jobseekers Allowance or else if you are too unwell to work and your doctors agree then get a sick note and put in a claim for ESA.

Speak to your local council about claiming Council Tax benefit

Speak to your mortgage provider to see if you can reduce your repayments by extending the loan term or go on to an interest only mortgage to give yourself some breathing room. As your mortgage is with your friend you need to discuss this with them. Perhaps you can come to an agreement between you with regards to repayment of the mortgage to ease your worries

It sounds like it would be a good idea to speak to a breavement counsellor or someone of that ilk to help you sort through some of your issues - better to get help when you're able to ask for it rather than letting it spiral out of control.

Mojisola

There is a support group for people in your situation - https://www.samm.org.uk/ - Support After Murder and Manslaughter. You will find people there who know what you're feeling and they should be able to help.

nannytone_2

passatrider wrote: »

nannytone wrote: »

if you are not working 30+ hours a week then youre not entitled to working tax credit anyway!
unless you can prove that you have been working these hours, they will be likely to want the money back.
stop being self employed!
if you are not fit for work, put in a claim for ESA.
if you are fit for work, claim JSA and after 13 weeks you will be eligable to get a % of your mortgage interest paid.
also, if you havent done it already, contact your lender to ask about going on an 'interest only' option.[/QUOTE


First of all get off your high horse and treat the OP with some respect.
Next, how do you know that the OP has not been on disability tax credits? They only have to do 16 hours to qualify for this anyhow so get your facts straight before posting.

My advice to the OP would be to close down your self employment registration and either claim ESA if you are unfit for work as suggested or put in a claim for JSA also suggested.

I would tell tax credits as soon as possible because if you do not satisfy the rules then you will be made to pay back any overpayment - this could run into hundreds of pounds if you are not carefull.

Finally, take no notice of the jumped up 'do gooders' who will inevitably jump on you because they are of course perfect and never make mistakes.;)

on my high horse? where exactly?
i also pointed the OP in the direction for help with mortgage interest.

should i have not mentioned the wtc rules and just let the OP potentially commit ( however unintentional) fraud?
i advised the OP to claim either JSA or ESA, as if they arent working the 30+ plus hours they will gwet into trouble.
i never mentioned disability tax credits, as, in a pretty thorough post, the OP didnt mention that they were receiving them.

it'd be so nice if people werent so quick to take offence on behalf of other people.

the advice i gave was accurate and gave the OP the information they needed.

please don't take it upon yourself to 'interpret' what i actually mean, as invariably you will be wrong!

rover1975

I think Nannytone if you cant have a little bit of humility then perhaps you should not respond to what is for someone a grave situation, your remarks whilst true are not helping.

Marisco

To be fair to nannytone, I don't think there was anything wrong with his/her post!! The op asked for advice and nanny gave it! I presume it's correct? Yes it was shorn of emotion, if that is what people are on about, but boards are for advice, and I sometimes think if there was more advice and less emotion, there wouldn't be half as many arguments as there are!:)