New Job, so happy but how to live for first month!?!

helpnewlife

Hi,
Sure this has been asked but cant seem to find much info. Myself and my partner and two children have up sticks and moved across the country as I was offered a job at the airport. It pays well long term, and after six months on jsa and with horrible debts I am very relieved. However...I have missed out on the back to work job grant by 2 days (this would have been £250 one off payment), have applied for a grant which would have seen us through the first month and am still being messed around with two months later, and just found out my child tax credit will go down from a hundred to eighty. This means, for the first month of my new job ( I started today) with extra travel costs of around £40 per week we will somehow have to buy food, pay bills, get new school uniforms for the kids ect ect on child tax credit and child benefit a grand total of £113 per week. Oh and to top it off because they have investigated to check for the grant, they have decided my partner has to pay back a crisis loan he took out in 1991 of £80 from his last job seekers payment leaving us only £30 from that. It just isnt physically possible. What can I do? We have not had food in the house for a few days now and all I have left is pasta (have been very creative with the long lost tins ect but pasta on its own is just not enough).I am scared and stressed and feel like the system supports you so well when on benefits but drops you like a hot coal the moment you start working.Any advice? Thanks

slickc2100

Hi,,

Sorry your going through this and I hope things pick up for you, Cannot you not ask family/friends to help you scrape by till the end of the month???

I don't understand how you missed out on the jobgrant if you started today.. I thought you had 21 days to claim from when you start working.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018789

MissSarah1972

You have to be on JSA for 26 weeks or more

marybelle01

Ask the employer if they will pay you a small sub against your first wages? It will mean you will have to stretch the wages for a time but at least you will have some money in the house.

slickc2100

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

You have to be on JSA for 26 weeks or more

Hi miss Im sure OP said they have been on JSA for more than 6 months..
Or have I interpreted wrong may be OP was 2 days short of 6 month,,

MissSarah1972

slickc2100 wrote: »

Hi miss Im sure OP said they have been on JSA for more than 6 months..
Or have I interpreted wrong may be OP was 2 days short of 6 month,,

well I am guessing that's what they mean, 6 mths all but two days? OP can you tell us?

F_T_Buyer

Just ask your employer for an advance on your first wage, however don't ask for more than you have accrued.

But don't do what our new employee did, ask for an advance then turn up the next day with an ipad!

Queries

Isn't there a time limit in which the DWP can claim back monies owing? Re: the crisis loan of £80 in 1991 for your partner? (Six years used to be the maximum - not totally sure now, though - if you get a chance contact the CAB - the Citizens Advice Bureau can also be contacted by 'phone for advice - about this. Also, I would query if he had to pay this back why it was taken out in a lump sum as opposed to a small amount weekly.) Good luck in your new job and even better luck for the future.

helpnewlife

Hi
Thanks for all your posts, the job grant starts when you begin employment after 26 weeks on jsa, I have been on it for 25 weeks and 4 days. Grrr. You would have thought they could slightly bend the rules as I have gone so out of my way to get back into work.I think I have no option but to ask my employer for a small advance for the travel as not got family or friends I can ask.
Thanks again and if anyone has other ideas let me know!

MissSarah1972

helpnewlife wrote: »

Hi
Thanks for all your posts, the job grant starts when you begin employment after 26 weeks on jsa, I have been on it for 25 weeks and 4 days. Grrr. You would have thought they could slightly bend the rules as I have gone so out of my way to get back into work.I think I have no option but to ask my employer for a small advance for the travel as not got family or friends I can ask.
Thanks again and if anyone has other ideas let me know!

Ask now or tomorrow even if they can sort something for you for the end of the week. At least that will help.

good luck with the job by the way

tealady

Hi
I would have a chat with the school to see if they could let the children have free school meals for a bit (or if not can you pay them back later when you get on your feet). Also I would consider asking about uniforms, explain the problem (that you cannot afford to supply them yet) after all its nearly the end of term, I am sure the school will understand.