Tax credits down £280 per month

falko89

So did the annual review, I work 43 hrs per week min wage, my partner 16 hours min wage, and we have 3 kids, Last week we got the usual £210 per week, today down to £130.

I phoned to enquire "Thats your new rate" I asked why the big drop, had I been over paid or something? "No thats just the new rate"

I was made redundant in January and got £170 per week tax credits. When I got a job they put it up to £210, now down to £130, I am starting to think its not worth while working especially when you factor in £50 parking and diesel per week for me and partner together.

Not working
Tax credits £170
JSA £70
Partners Pay £105
Housing Benefit £120
= £465 per week

Working
Tax credits £130
My pay £220
Partner £105
= £455 per week

Perhaps even my partner should leave work altogether as some housing benefit etc would kick in and saving on fuel etc.

mynameistallulah

Perhaps your partner can look for full time work rather than part time?

falko89

mynameistallulah wrote: »

Perhaps your partner can look for full time work rather than part time?

Then we've childcare to pay for.

mynameistallulah

falko89 wrote: »

Then we've childcare to pay for.

You will qualify for help with childcare costs.

sniggings

fact is wages are too low, the min wage is not a living wage so comparing that with benefits is why you think not working is a better choice. working on min wage + benefits to top your wage up will only ever be just above the benefit level at most.

The problem is rents are too high and wages too low.
Unfair I know but can you really expect to have a big income when on £6.08 an hour?
and the Government wonder why people see benefits as an option!

are the amounts correct you listed as income, if you didn't work?

with only 3 kids you are nearly at the 26k cap?

falko89

sniggings wrote: »

fact is wages are too low, the min wage is not a living wage so comparing that with benefits is why you think not working is a better choice. working on min wage + benefits to top your wage up will only ever be just above the benefit level at most.

The problem is rents are too high and wages too low.
Unfair I know but can you really expect to have a big income when on £6.08 an hour?
and the Government wonder why people see benefits as an option!

are the amounts correct you listed as income, if you didn't work?

with only 3 kids you are nearly at the 26k cap?

That is what I was getting when I was unemployed 4 months ago. I've not added child benefit on as thats the same whether you work or not.

Shiloe

falko89 wrote: »

Not working
Tax credits £170
JSA £70
Partners Pay £105
Housing Benefit £120
= £465 per week

Working
Tax credits £130
My pay £220
Partner £105
= £455 per week

Clearly self respect isnt worth £10 these days ... god some people :mad:

falko89

Shiloe wrote: »

Clearly self respect isnt worth £10 these days ... god some people :mad:

Its the point of the thing, add the £20-£30 pw fuel,

sniggings

Shiloe wrote: »

Clearly self respect isnt worth £10 these days ... god some people :mad:

where is the self respect in leaving your kids paying fuel, parking and all the other expenses involved in working and be £10 worse off!

Playing the self respect card no longer works as people see through it now, it is just plain silly to work for less than you can get if you don't work.

When the Government wakes up and sees the min wage is not a living wage then things might change.

carebear13

you were overpaid before- not your fault i appreciate, but it has to be paid back. this year you would only be entitled to £158 per week. there is a really good calculator on mumsnet that tells you what your entitlement was last year and this year.

zagfles

falko89 wrote: »

So did the annual review, I work 43 hrs per week min wage, my partner 16 hours min wage, and we have 3 kids, Last week we got the usual £210 per week, today down to £130.

I phoned to enquire "Thats your new rate" I asked why the big drop, had I been over paid or something? "No thats just the new rate"

I was made redundant in January and got £170 per week tax credits. When I got a job they put it up to £210, now down to £130, I am starting to think its not worth while working especially when you factor in £50 parking and diesel per week for me and partner together.

Not working
Tax credits £170
JSA £70
Partners Pay £105
Housing Benefit £120
= £465 per week

Working
Tax credits £130
My pay £220
Partner £105
= £455 per week

Perhaps even my partner should leave work altogether as some housing benefit etc would kick in and saving on fuel etc.

You'd only get JSA for 6 months (contribution based). After that it'd be nothing based on above.

You might get housing benefit working. Check on entitledto https://www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx. The way all those benefits are tapered means you should never be worse off in work (not accounting for travel costs etc).