Anything Else I should look at claiming? (maternity, housing and employment0

Anubis_2

Would definitely advise negotiating with your creditors, explain your situation and even ask if it's possible to stop interest for a while along with lowering payments. Ask for six months consideration of both to start with.

Yellowpetal

I have been awarded maternity allowance and I haven't paid NI (don't earn enough).

jordanchaos

Yellowpetal wrote: »

I have been awarded maternity allowance and I haven't paid NI (don't earn enough).

Thanks, we have heard this too, thats the major problem we have, we try applying for things, we get turned down then I see people in a similar situation get help and its confusing. the creditors have had to take a back seat, I've tried explaining but they were largely unsympathetic (apart from, I must say Lloyds TSB) - I really really suffer from depression and it makes it hard to cope with the simplest things sometimes. So thanks for your help.

Anubis_2

jordanchaos wrote: »

Thanks, we have heard this too, thats the major problem we have, we try applying for things, we get turned down then I see people in a similar situation get help and its confusing. the creditors have had to take a back seat, I've tried explaining but they were largely unsympathetic (apart from, I must say Lloyds TSB) - I really really suffer from depression and it makes it hard to cope with the simplest things sometimes. So thanks for your help.

When you negotiate with them send them an Income and Expenditure sheet so they can see you have little surplus. Do not sign any letter you send, only digitally sign it.

Even if they refuse you must still make the reduced payments. Alternatively contact CCCs here http://www.cccs.co.uk/ they will help you and if necessary advise you on the best course and help you negotiate.

If you are really struggling to pay then a DMP may be appropriate for you but please contact them and talk it through with one of their advisors, and have your Income and Expenditure ready as they can help you go through it all and recommend from there.

Yellowpetal

No matter were I look on this forum there seems to be some judgement *sigh* anyway...

you will be entitled to maternity allowance if *

You have worked 26 weeks of the last 66 weeks and have earned higher then £30 a week. To apply you need your MATB1 form, your smp1 form (although its a different form required for self employed persons) and 12 weeks worth of wage slips (again this will be different for self employed persons). Maternity allowance is not based on NI contributions, I have paid 1 or 2 when ive got a big wage but other then that I haven't so I know its not based on that. Your best bet is ringing maternity allowance and speaking to them - I found they were very helpful. Good luck.

mynameistallulah

Yellowpetal wrote: »

No matter were I look on this forum there seems to be some judgement *sigh* anyway...

You seem to be confusing judgment with viewpoints that I disagree with.

BigAunty

As you may be aware, the maximum weekly LHA rate in Brighton for a 2 bedroom property (size criteria for a couple with 1 child) is £184 per week which works out about £800 per month so the final £95 extra on your rent will not get taken into account during any HB calculation as it's up to the claimant to deal with anything above their LHA limit.

Even though you have 4 months left on your contract, you may find that your landlord will release you from it early if you explain about affordability issues, though they are under no obligation to do so.

Go to the debt free wanabee board, they will be able to explain to you how to manage your debt payments, reducing them so that they don't eat up so much disposable income. No benefits or allowances take into account living expenses, including debt, it's solely income based when it comes to the calculations.

See the Direct Gov website for its debt management advice - rent is a priority (along with council tax) compared with other bills, as rent arrears leads to eviction and council tax arrears can lead to a conviction or prison. You should be prioritising certain bills above others and that site will give you guidance on this.

The Turn2us online site is a pretty good benefits calculator. The MSE website has an excellent budget planner.

Anubis_2

BigAunty wrote: »

As you may be aware, the maximum weekly LHA rate in Brighton for a 2 bedroom property (size criteria for a couple with 1 child) is £184 per week which works out about £800 per month so the final £95 extra on your rent will not get taken into account during any HB calculation as it's up to the claimant to deal with anything above their LHA limit.

Even though you have 4 months left on your contract, you may find that your landlord will release you from it early if you explain about affordability issues, though they are under no obligation to do so.

Go to the debt free wanabee board, they will be able to explain to you how to manage your debt payments, reducing them so that they don't eat up so much disposable income. No benefits or allowances take into account living expenses, including debt, it's solely income based when it comes to the calculations.

See the Direct Gov website for its debt management advice - rent is a priority (along with council tax) compared with other bills, as rent arrears leads to eviction and council tax arrears can lead to a conviction or prison. You should be prioritising certain bills above others and that site will give you guidance on this.

The Turn2us online site is a pretty good benefits calculator. The MSE website has an excellent budget planner.

Benefits are classed as income for the purpose of Income and Expenditure for debt. They need to contact the CCCs, but using the link I gave as there is a rogue one of a similar name that charges.

jordanchaos

Thanks so much for the clarity.
we spent alot of time going through our budget to see if we could trim much more off, but as you can see from income/outgoing there isn't much leeway, The links provided have been super helpful

BigAunty

Anubis wrote: »

Benefits are classed as income for the purpose of Income and Expenditure for debt. ...

To clarify, I meant that the OPs debts don't influence the benefits they receive, not that debt management plans ignore benefits they receive.