So poor I can't even pay attention

grannyx2

Piquant wrote: »

Very fed up and a bit tearful. All I want to do is earn enough to live on. I'm happy to be frugal, but it seems very difficult today. I'm probably tired that's all.

I do appreciate you taking an interest and helping. I wish I wasn't so dense about it. I'm really finding it difficult to get my head around.

Piq

Oh Piq so sorry you are feeling so down, after the excitement of seeming to feel you were finally getting somewhere. :grouphug: just for you.

As EE says, of course you are not dense, if the system was straight forward, the advisers would know what they were talking about. Believe it or not, they do have to have a certain amount of intelligence to work there.

Have you perhaps considered seeing how many hours you need to work to get Working tax credits instead? Not sure how this would affect your mortgage insurance but I'm sure they would be able to tell you if you'd still qualify.

As mentioned above, if the insurance isn't going to cover the endowment payment, ask the company to suspend your payments until you are back on your feet. Speak to your mortgage company and if not already on interest only, ask to switch to it for now.

Don't worry about defaulting on your debts for now, your priorities are keeping a roof over your head and yourself fed. The other things can take a back seat for now. If you haven't already done it, write to anyone you owe money, explain the situation and ask them to accept token payments for a bit.

make sure you have claimed everything you are entitled to and that you sort out that single person discount. It's there for a reason x

Lots of love Gx2, hope you feel better soon x

suburbanwifey

I am sorry to inform you that the endowment portion of your mortgage will not be paid by DWP, they only cover mortgage interest, not the capital or endowments parts, respectively.

If push comes to shove, I would forget the debts, prioritize your house which has only 4 years left on the mortgage. Priority debts and all that.

You need to work 24 hours to claim WTC but that would affect your mortgage company paying out. Catch 22 situation. What you really need is a job that covers it all.

Hoping tomorrow brings you more luck, things have got to turn around soon xx

chevalier

Holy cow they sure make it hard for you. I guess part of the problem with this job, is that you can't guarantee you will get the 24 hours mentioned by surburbanwifey below, so you could get the WTC. Dang it. They sure make it hard to pay your way don't they.

As others have said I would check about the endowment. Have you made sure that it will cover the mortgage when it matures? I wonder if it is possible to make it paid up or something, with you then getting a loan in 4 years time to pay off the difference? I have NO idea about this sort of thing and would echo other posters who suggest you asking an IFA about it...

Big hugs Piq
chev

moo2moo

I know I'd hate this as a suggestion but it seems you're rapidly running out of options ...... perhaps you could consider taking in a lodger either under the rent a room scheme or as a house share and spilt the bills 50/50 which would alleviate the pressure somewhat.

lucielle

Piq, no words of wisdom here. Just posting to let you know I'm here and offering positive vibed and support over t'internet.
L

ani_26

Hi Piquant

I've not read all of your diary, just the latter bit, but the system does indeed suck, as its been said.

Can i suggest the cab? Don't struggle with it alone. You will never get anywhere with the likes of dwp etc. The cab are brilliant with their help, although they are extremely busy and you may have to wait for appointments. Also try welfare rights. They will help to try and take some of the pressure off you. They are benefits experts and will tell you what you are entitled to claim, etc. Hth x

Eager_Elephant

suburbanwifey wrote: »

You need to work 24 hours to claim WTC but that would affect your mortgage company paying out. Catch 22 situation. What you really need is a job that covers it all.

Just clarifying that if you are part of a couple with children you have to work 24 hours to get WTC, single people unless meeting the criteria for disability premium have to work 30 hours per week at least.

If you have applied for single person discount then they will know you are there alone and therefore you need to claim Council Tax Benefit asap.
You might even get it backdated to when JSA started if they have not done what they are supposed to as it is official error.

Piquant_2

suburbanwifey wrote: »

I am sorry to inform you that the endowment portion of your mortgage will not be paid by DWP, they only cover mortgage interest, not the capital or endowments parts, respectively.

If push comes to shove, I would forget the debts, prioritize your house which has only 4 years left on the mortgage. Priority debts and all that.

I thought this might be the case with the endowment, it is for 75% of the mortgage. I will contact them any way and ask if there is a workable solution. I will also send details to them of my name change, I hadn't realised it was still in my maiden name

chevalier wrote: »

Holy cow they sure make it hard for you. I guess part of the problem with this job, is that you can't guarantee you will get the 24 hours mentioned by surburbanwifey below, so you could get the WTC. Dang it. They sure make it hard to pay your way don't they.

As others have said I would check about the endowment. Have you made sure that it will cover the mortgage when it matures? I wonder if it is possible to make it paid up or something, with you then getting a loan in 4 years time to pay off the difference? I have NO idea about this sort of thing and would echo other posters who suggest you asking an IFA about it...

Big hugs Piq
chev

The endowment is still on course to meet the mortgage. When the endowment crisis hit a few years ago I changed 25% of the mortgage to repayment. Makes my mortgage situation a little complicated as far as the DWP are concerned, they can't get their heads round it. I have pointed out it doesn't matter as they're not paying it - talk to yourself Piq...

I will ask the matriarch if there's any chance of any more set hours, if I could get them up to 20, I could use 10 for paid writing. I know she likes me as I work hard, work off my own initiative and the customers like me - only because their average age is about 80 and I seem like a sprightly filly by comparison!

ani_26 wrote: »

Hi Piquant

I've not read all of your diary, just the latter bit, but the system does indeed suck, as its been said.

Can i suggest the cab? Don't struggle with it alone. You will never get anywhere with the likes of dwp etc. The cab are brilliant with their help, although they are extremely busy and you may have to wait for appointments. Also try welfare rights. They will help to try and take some of the pressure off you. They are benefits experts and will tell you what you are entitled to claim, etc. Hth x

Thank you ani and hello! There are some great fun bits in my diary, it's not all doom and gloom, I have to be honest though, today is the exception - I am gloomy!

I will call the CAB first thing and see if they can help. I've never come across Welfare Rights, I will look them up and make contact too.

I am finding the DWP increasingly difficult to deal with, each area tells a different story and do not seem to communicate with each other unless it's by the master black screen they all refer to.

Piq

Piquant_2

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

Just clarifying that if you are part of a couple with children you have to work 24 hours to get WTC, single people unless meeting the criteria for disability premium have to work 30 hours per week at least.

If you have applied for single person discount then they will know you are there alone and therefore you need to claim Council Tax Benefit asap.
You might even get it backdated to when JSA started if they have not done what they are supposed to as it is official error.

I'm going to see if I can get more hours at the cafe and add it to paid writing and see if I can get up to 30 hours. Although then I will lose my mortgage insurance payments. Maybe that's not the route to go?

I'll contact the council about tax this morning. I'll write them a letter shortly.

Thanks EE

Piq

Piquant_2

missrlr wrote: »

Ok how about getting a free IFA check up about the endowment ? Lots will do this for nothing and could sort this issue. Perhaps also assist with the earnings things? Just a thought and don't forget smile, makes em wonder what they're missing!

I don't know anything about IFA, I will have to do some research. I've put it on my ever-growing list. I'm a smiley sort of person, but it seems to be on upside-down today!:(

pink_poppy wrote: »

Probably not the best time to de-lurk *waves sheepishly*

Just wanted to wish you well with everything & hope you get things sorted with the Job Centre & benefits ~ it all sounds horribly complicated

It is horribly complicated, but I shall see it through. It's lovely of you to de-lurk when I need the support - thank you! You do know the rule about not being able to lurk again, don't you? You have to stay now and join in with all my lovely friends here!

grannyx2 wrote: »

Oh Piq so sorry you are feeling so down, after the excitement of seeming to feel you were finally getting somewhere. :grouphug: just for you.

Don't worry about defaulting on your debts for now, your priorities are keeping a roof over your head and yourself fed. The other things can take a back seat for now. If you haven't already done it, write to anyone you owe money, explain the situation and ask them to accept token payments for a bit.

make sure you have claimed everything you are entitled to and that you sort out that single person discount. It's there for a reason x

Lots of love Gx2, hope you feel better soon x

I'll be better by tomorrow Granny, just a bit of a blow, that's all. I have no idea how to tell folk I'm going to default. I have three months money left. I might leave it another month and pay as usual and apply for every job I am remotely experienced for. I think the time has come to be flexible with the truth of what I actually have experience of. Just because I managed, doesn't mean I can't do hands on. I know enough about a lot of things to get by and I learn quickly. Which means I can do most office jobs!

Piq