Apprenticeships and affects on benefits

Oldernotwiser

waterlily wrote: »

Thanks for advice. Yes I am talking about 2 daughters. Eldest girl is disabled. Younger one , 17, has been offered the apprenticeship. She is on a flat rate of 95 pound a week and the position is part time ( States this on the paperwork ) 24 hours a week.
I have no choice but to be in receipt of benefits, believe me I would much rather be earning a decent living but unfortunately I cannot. I am just surprised that so much is taken off the benefits and yet the wages she is to receive no where near covers the loss. With her fares to and from work, lunch etc it leaves her 20 pounds a week. She does not smoke or drink and clearly wont be able to afford to go out or help towards her keep. I also understand the council tax benefit will be cut as she is now working although I have yet to confirm this. I'm just at a loss really.

Best thing would be for her to take a packed lunch from home. How much are her fares?

waterlily

Her bus and train fares work out at 63 pounds a week. It would be cheaper to get an annual card but of course we cant afford to pay out the large sum required all at once. I am lucky in one way, my daughter refuses to sit on her backside and do nothing, she wants to work and has gone out and made sure she has a job that means something to her and she wants to carry on with after the apprenticeship finishes. It just seems so unfair ( that old chestnut lol ) that our kids are penalised for wanting to make something of themselves. And yes, it will have to be packed lunches...if I can afford them after the benefits are stopped!

Lady_gaga

waterlily wrote: »

Her bus and train fares work out at 63 pounds a week. It would be cheaper to get an annual card but of course we cant afford to pay out the large sum required all at once. I am lucky in one way, my daughter refuses to sit on her backside and do nothing, she wants to work and has gone out and made sure she has a job that means something to her and she wants to carry on with after the apprenticeship finishes. It just seems so unfair ( that old chestnut lol ) that our kids are penalised for wanting to make something of themselves. And yes, it will have to be packed lunches...if I can afford them after the benefits are stopped!

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean by your kids are being penalised? she's got a job in the industry she want's to work in and is gaining qualifications at the same time.

pineapple123

Just a couple of points.

Could your DD not increase her hours even with high unemployment there is always demand for care workers, in care homes, agency or private home without having gained NVQ 2 (though age may restrict her with some areas of care work until 18).

Could you not get a job part time and your DD care for her sister when not working.

Would it be possible for DD to work longer shifts and thus reduce expense of travel, and some care homes provide meals when staff on duty.

I do understand how you can be concerned that money would be tight but she is becoming an adult, money will be tight for a while but your DD has a job and a chance to start to make a career for herself .

Just a quick note I have a feeling that if she's on low paid apprenticeship she gets excempt from paying council tax.

stroodes

This is the problem with so many people on benefits, world does not owe u a living, keep ure own children. And thank god it's gonna change.

waterlily

How dare you be so judgmental of our circumstances. You know nothing of our life, money situation or indeed our extreme reluctance to our dependence on benefits. I asked a simple question for which I received a majority of helpful advice and I am grateful for.

I am assuming you have children that are perfectly healthy and do not need 24 hour care to stay alive or that your husband or partner does not have cancer or heart problems and cannot work.

Next time you post something so negative and derogatory I suggest you 'grow up' and think beyond the box. Some of us out there have no damn choice, its benefits or starve.

I wont be posting again and leave myself open to remarks that are hurtful and humiliating.

Oldernotwiser

You have had just one derogatory comment from someone who is obviously a troll. I don't see that this justifies going off in a hissy fit after all the help and practical suggestions you've received.

Tescodealqueen

Your disabled daughter is likely to be entitled to ESA as well as her DLA. Try looking at the direct gov website for more information

£63.00 is a lot for fares each week - she may be able to get some sort of mega pass for bus and train fares. It would be worth enquiring at the local travel centre (ours is in the bus station)

Mupette

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You have had just one derogatory comment from someone who is obviously a troll. I don't see that this justifies going off in a hissy fit after all the help and practical suggestions you've received.

well perhaps the op was on about that...

way to go to get your post count up,

The OP was upset, too many faceless wanna be know it alls on here think it is ok to be judgmental on here.. and then these silly posts