BR and still struggling

sazaboo

hi there, ive been BR since august, should be better off because of it as I have no IPA but my income is much reduced after my LO stared school and ive had to reduce my hours (single mum n that) ive got help from family which allows me to do 26 hours per week but i dont think i can work much more..i dont have an extravagant lifestyle at all and we dont have allowances for anything that can be reduced...what can i do?

its starting to really worry me that i cant afford to be in work...i work in the civil service and i should advocate work at all times but i dont get any help financially other than tax credits @£70 and CHB @£80...not much in the grand scheme of things i assure you. my SOA is worse than the one i submitted which makes no difference as i havent an IPA, just nil tax code when that kicks in.

im not sure i can sell anything else, cause i dont have anything...suggestions? be gentle - im on the edge!

Ineedaname

Hi Saza, I'm sorry you're struggling so much.

Have you updated Tax Credits that you have had to reduce your hours? You may be entitled to a bit more money from them.

Sorry, I also don't remember if you are renting or paying a mortgage? Either way, have you contacted your local authority to ask about any help with your housing costs? As the lone adult in the house I think you may be entitled to the 25% discount on council tax as well, that could make quite a difference.

Other than that, all I can suggest is having a browse through the Old Style board for money saving ideas, ways to cut your grocery budget and so on.

sazaboo

hi INAN, unfortunatley the unique way the government is funded means i get less, for working less...i need to try and get to 30 hours, then it goes up....catch 22 situation...i get the single person discount...i just dont earn enough, so yes frugal measures are in force! i guess its the only way i can avoid selling myself!

Ineedaname

Darn, I didn't spot that and I was only discussing it yesterday with a friend.

I've got something similar to come. If I could miraculously go from Incapacity Benefit to being well enough to work over 30 hours a week I'd be fine, probably. I'm OK doing permitted work at under 16 hours a week, but as soon as I do 16-30 hours a week I'll be stuffed.

So much for encouraging disabled people and single parents to work eh?

andyf1980

Ineedaname wrote: »

Darn, I didn't spot that and I was only discussing it yesterday with a friend.

I've got something similar to come. If I could miraculously go from Incapacity Benefit to being well enough to work over 30 hours a week I'd be fine, probably. I'm OK doing permitted work at under 16 hours a week, but as soon as I do 16-30 hours a week I'll be stuffed.

So much for encouraging disabled people and single parents to work eh?

The system is crazy isn't it. It just seems to penalise people who want to get back to work. :mad:

minicooper1961

andyf1980 wrote: »

The system is crazy isn't it. It just seems to penalise people who want to get back to work. :mad:

Indeed, indeed and there are a fair few of us that manage to fall through all of the safety nets, ill health, single parents with ill health etc.......I fought and fought to work whilst on invalidity benefit as it was, cos I had been raised with a work ethic and for my own sanity, yet still fell through a net later { I managed to work for so long and then due to same ill health had to give up} and fell through the net big time.
To OP - thought of selling myself but I would end up in debit :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Stay strong xxx