Help/Advice needed re benefits

mlw_3

Hi, I'm new on here and not sure if this is posted in the correct place or not?! If not I will move it later on

I don't really know where to start so this may be a bit of a ramble but here goes.

I live with my husband who works full time (income of about £21k) and our almost 3 year old daughter. My husband has recently (March this year) been approved for an IVA which is in his name only. I have worked the whole time since I left school at 15, only stopping when I went on maternity leave in 2008 and returned to my job (but doing part time hours) afterwards. In March this year just before the IVA was approved I left my employment, I was under a LOT of stress waiting for the IVA court hearing etc, I explained to my boss on the Monday (my scheduled day off) that I was feeling very stressed and needed until Friday off - would have taken it as sick or unpaid leave - but boss suggested that it would be better for me to be taken off her books and cease my employment with her, so because I wasn't thinking straight at that point I agreed (rather than insisting that I had sick leave for the stress).. Anyway to cut it a bit short the IVA was approved, I felt better and have started looking for work again as we can't afford to live on just my husbands wage.. We live in private rented accommodation and we're getting housing benefit but then I tried to get jobseekers allowance and was told because my husband works full time hours that I'd not be entitled to it under the income based side but that I should be able to get contributiions based JSA - however my decision letter came through and it seems that because I worked part time between 2008-09 and 2009-10 that my employer wasn't paying my NI at the high enough amount (I was unaware of this) so now I am unable to claim JSA even though I am actively seeking employment..

This is making me feel really stressed again - we literally can't afford to live each month with only my husbands wage coming in.. Last month we had to borrow money from my inlaws just to get us through until payday and this month is looking like being the same.. We don't spend on things we don't need, neither of us smoke or drink.. there's nothing we can cut down on, what we spend is literally our bills, food etc.. All our food is basics or own brands.. I just don't see what more we can do?!

Any thoughts or info would be great please..

Thank you xx

Oldernotwiser

To give up your job just when your husband was starting an IVA was absolute madness. I would post on the Bankruptcy Board as you may have to consider this as an option.

pipscot

Maybe you could post on Debt Free Wannabe board and ask about renegotiating the terms of the IVA. Posting up a complete SOA could help you to make savings with your day to day bills and expenses.

Also you could ring Tax Credits and explain that this year's income will be lower than last year - you'll have to give an estimate of your expected total household income for 2011/2012 to do this. WARNING - if you do this make sure you contact Tax Credits immediately when you find a job since you could end up with an overpayment if you underestimate this year's income.

Advice on lowering your cost of living can also be found on the Old Style board.

Good luck with the job seeking!

mlw_3

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

To give up your job just when your husband was starting an IVA was absolute madness. I would post on the Bankruptcy Board as you may have to consider this as an option.

Thank you for your kind words.. Just what I needed, I would try and explain the situation a bit more but to be honest you've already decided you don't want to offer any constructive help - when we went for the IVA do you not think every avenue was looked into first.. Will def NOT consider bankruptcy

Oldernotwiser

mlw wrote: »

Thank you for your kind words.. Just what I needed, I would try and explain the situation a bit more but to be honest you've already decided you don't want to offer any constructive help - when we went for the IVA do you not think every avenue was looked into first.. Will def NOT consider bankruptcy

My reply was intended to be constructive and I directed you to a good source of further information. If you don't want to apply for bankruptcy that's your decision but it's a much better option than an IVA for many people and, from what you have said, one of the few choices open to you.

The fact that you looked at your options before deciding on an IVA isn't really relevant as you were working then and now you're not. When your situation changes you often have to reassess and adjust.

Good luck in your job hunting.

bunny999

Have you notified the tax credits people / housing benefits of your change of circs. You might be entitled to more in benefits. It might worth putting your SOA on the DFB board for ideas on how to cut spending. The old style board is also good for money saving ideas. Have you got a car you get rid off ditto sky. Try keeping a spending diary to see where your money is going. Have you got anything you could sell.