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how do i survive on SSP!!!

Hi there im not sure if i have posted this in the right place but i really need some advice...

as the title suggests... how am i expected to support my family on SSP of £12 A DAY (this is what i have been informed) i have been very sick and i have been off work for a month, i work 28-30 hours a week (4 days on 3 days off, 7 hours a day) i have 4 children, i do get the usual government help, by mean of tax credits and such, but believe me, every penny (as well all know) is tight and acounted for, so to take a major drop in our finances from works pay is a little difficult for me to understand. i have made Many a phone calls but im not sure if i have missed something. and now this is why i am asking for help or advice on what i can do next, as i am seriously panicking! i have had to make phone calls to such companies ie my rent and counil tax to let them know that we can not afford to pay them this month, as im sure you can agree i do need to put food in my childrens bellies... my worry is how much longer will these companies be "understanding of my financial problems"

Again please if anyone has any suggestions or can point me in the right direction i would be most grateful...

Many thanks Natasha
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Comments

  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,732 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Do you currently claim housing benefit? you can advise them of a change in income and you may get more help there.
    It maybe useful to post a statement of affairs on the debt free wannabe board as the folks on there are very helpful at identifying areas of possible cutbacks
  • NewRoc84
    NewRoc84 Posts: 11 Forumite
    Caz3121 wrote: »
    Do you currently claim housing benefit? you can advise them of a change in income and you may get more help there.
    It maybe useful to post a statement of affairs on the debt free wannabe board as the folks on there are very helpful at identifying areas of possible cutbacks

    we do claim housing benefit and i have been in contact with them already, all i need to do is to produce my latest wage slip and go from there.

    As for cutbacks, we have cutback on EVERYTHING we think we can live without. Were on the (what we believe) cheapest internet, we have done our best to keep our food costs down including buying more homebrand/value foods than we would of before, (great incentive to get little one to start potty traning) we actually have no debts, so debt management and cutting back is not the problem. Its just the usual of bills, bills, and more bills.

    i guess as i said before what i cant understand is how people are expected to live on such a low amount of money, its not like im claming, im more than happy to work im just really sick at the moment. i got to admitt i do feel sorry for thoes that havent got the extra help in reagard to tax credits like we do but the loss of money we have had to lose is still a substantual amount in any household, Tax credits are telling us that they cant help us even though we have lost £500 a month income.

    Am i missing something here???
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You have said 'we' a couple of times, do you have a partner, if so
    how much do they earn.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Can you post up an SOA so we can look at your budget and try to help you, its amazing what fresh eyes can see.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • Hi Natasha

    First question - is this a self limiting illness (ie a broken leg where you know you'll be back to work in 6 weeks) or something where you have no idea when you will be well enough to work again?

    If the former then the best advice is to cut back everything to the bone. Your rent, council tax and utility payments are priority - firstly see if you can spread your council tax payments over 12 months instead of 10 if they aren't already and this will free up a few pounds. Call in the help of family and friends - when I was on the bones of my backside we ate with family and friends at least 3 or 4 times a week then when I was back on my feet I paid them back with lots of nice meals at mine, babysitting and other practical favours.

    You might have to just bite the bullet and cope on the income you have for the time being - go over to the debt free wannabe thread (it doesn't matter that you aren't in debt) and post a Statement of Affairs (SOA) and the knowledgeable folk over there will give you some great help in cutting back - sometimes they'll spot something that you haven't :) Another good area is the Old Style Money Saving threads - again, experts there on feeding a family well for pence a day.

    In all fairness, if there were a bunch of benefits that would replace your lost wages pound for pound you would then wonder why you are working in the first place!

    Best of luck and wishing you a speedy recovery x
  • BigAunty
    BigAunty Posts: 8,310 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    NewRoc84 wrote: »
    ... i have had to make phone calls to such companies ie my rent and counil tax to let them know that we can not afford to pay them this month, as im sure you can agree i do need to put food in my childrens bellies......

    Rent and council tax are priority bills and debts should be avoided. This is because of their serious consequences if they become debts - homelessness due to rent arrears and prosecution from not paying council tax, for example. You can't really 'postpone' them easily.

    Here is a basic guide to Debt Management (I know you don't see yourself as currently in debt but if you cant make the rent or council tax, you aren't far off achieving this status).

    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/PlanYourWayOutOfDebt/DG_10013291

    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/index.htm

    You can identify if you are due any more housing benefit or council tax discount on the Turn2us online benefit calculator.

    I know that you are doing your best to be thrifty to try and make up the £115 per week shortfall you've outlined but you might still find the MSE budget planner and another sweep through the website helpful, particularly the Old Style moneysaving forum.
  • mikey_bach
    mikey_bach Posts: 912 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 5 August 2012 at 10:16PM
    You have condition of entitlement to Income Support on the grounds of your SSP.
    Whether you will be entitled depends on household income
    eg wifes wages not entitled anyway if she works over 24 hours a week, working tax credit counts as income
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    mikey_bach wrote: »
    You have condition of entitlement to Income Support on the grounds of your SSP.
    Whether you will be entitled depends on household income
    eg wifes wages not entitled anyway if she works over 24 hours a week, working tax credit counts as income

    Natasha, the OP is the wife.

    I have asked about partner's income but the question has not been addressed yet.

    Before this is answered, no meaningful advice can be given.
    The husband could be earning £2K a month for all we know

    We need the full story first.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • mikey_bach
    mikey_bach Posts: 912 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 5 August 2012 at 10:49PM
    just seen that the OP, is a Natasha,

    I.S may be claimed, there is possible entitlement there
    if as stated the Partner doesnt work over 24 hours and depending on other household income
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    mikey_bach wrote: »
    just seen the OP is Natasha,
    just a suggestion I.S may be claimed there is possible entitlement
    if as stated the Partner doesnt work over 24 hours and other household income
    who know then

    Sorry, but is English your first language, your post is a but middled
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
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