At the moment could someone stay on JSA for 4 years?

jabanico

LadyMissA wrote: »

No you have to be better off in work. Don't they do a better off in work calculation. There is no way I could do a 16 hr a week job at minimum wage if that made my take home £421 ish a month and travel £160 leaving me £261 which is less £32 less than then JSA. It is only worth it if you can walk to work and no rent to pay or anything like that.

LadyMissA, how can you afford to live on 67.50 a week in London?

I always wonder because I live in the North East and still run out of money after about 10 days living frugally.

I might post a thread about this actually because I really don't understand how people manage to survive on such little money expecially in places like London where the cost of living is high.

LadyMissA

falko89 wrote: »

That's a mistake I've been making thinking you had to apply for anything suitable, My Mrs works 16 hrs on min wage, by the time she pays her parking, fuel and what ever else she'd get more on JSA

That's why part time jobs on NMW are not worth it really if you are the only earner in a partnership.

I was only giving 16 hrs as an example but I am not looking for 16 hours work as it would cost more to get there if I can't walk it.

I would still apply for NMW jobs that are 35-37.5 hours a week but still not leaving much (take home £882 a mth)

LadyMissA

jabanico wrote: »

LadyMissA, how can you afford to live on 67.50 a week in London?

I always wonder because I live in the North East and still run out of money after about 10 days living frugally.

I might post a thread about this actually because I really don't understand how people manage to survive on such little money expecially in places like London where the cost of living is high.

all my money goes on bills, ok my problem but I have to pay them, stuff that includes the telephone, broadband etc

I haven't bought anything for myself or anyone else since before I lost my job nor have I been out unless it's to sign on, the WP, or to family.

HappyMJ

jabanico wrote: »

LadyMissA, how can you afford to live on 67.50 a week in London?

I always wonder because I live in the North East and still run out of money after about 10 days living frugally.

I might post a thread about this actually because I really don't understand how people manage to survive on such little money expecially in places like London where the cost of living is high.

It's cheaper to heat a small flat in London compared to the colder weather and slightly larger properties in the North East. It's about living on the breadline. Turn everything off and never go out. Living costs are basically then just groceries, gas and electricity.

The cost of living in London is high due to higher rent and more opportunites to go out for the evening. Rent is paid for when someone is on JSA.

jabanico

LadyMissA wrote: »

all my money goes on bills, ok my problem but I have to pay them, stuff that includes the telephone, broadband etc

I haven't bought anything for myself or anyone else since before I lost my job nor have I been out unless it's to sign on, the WP, or to family.

Sorry if this is too personal but do you have rent to pay too or not?

I really don't know how you manage but I think however you manage is really amazing.

jabanico

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's cheaper to heat a small flat in London compared to the colder weather and slightly larger properties in the North East. It's about living on the breadline. Turn everything off and never go out. Living costs are basically then just groceries, gas and electricity.

The cost of living in London is high due to higher rent and more opportunites to go out for the evening. Rent is paid for when someone is on JSA.

Really? I thought housing benefit only paid about 90 pound of rent a week? London rents can easily amount to £1000 a month.

LadyMissA

jabanico wrote: »

Sorry if this is too personal but do you have rent to pay too or not?

I really don't know how you manage but I think however you manage is really amazing.

I owe my parents rent and only managed to pay it for 9 mths then I run out of £ so living here board free so I when I do get back in a job I owe just over £2750. Hard for my mum when she is a pensioner.

I don't do anything other then make spreadsheets and colour code what I have to pay and when. My money is gone at 00.01am on the say I get it. Could be worse.

You can lose a lot of friends when you have no job and no £

LadyMissA

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's cheaper to heat a small flat in London compared to the colder weather and slightly larger properties in the North East. It's about living on the breadline. Turn everything off and never go out. Living costs are basically then just groceries, gas and electricity.

The cost of living in London is high due to higher rent and more opportunites to go out for the evening. Rent is paid for when someone is on JSA.

Rent is not paid to everyone on JSA - if you live with family and were paying rent before you get nothing but JSA.

HappyMJ

jabanico wrote: »

Really? I thought housing benefit only paid about 90 pound of rent a week? London rents can easily amount to £1000 a month.

In London the LHA rates are much higher at about £150 per week depending on location.

Crazy_Larry

I can't remember how long I've been on JSA, but it's a lot longer than 4 years! They all know me at the Jobcentre and always give me a really easy time.