Always better off working!! What a Joke!!

princessdon

I appreciate your frustration

Personally is there a business you can do that will take you over the 30 hours? Ie a small part time (even dog walking a few hours a week etc)

This will ensure you get your WTC.

Also how many bedrooms do you have? - I am asking due to housing changes as this *may* alter your thinking if you would have to find rent/bedroom tax out of your jsa?

spandee

no only one bedroom and as calls for work can come at any time i cant commit myself to do a job for 5 hours one day as it will mean i may have to turn down a days work. also due to the variation in hours some weeks i have no time others 5 hours would not take me anywhere near what i need.
The only solution I can see is getting in somewhere regular and getting employed by them. the only issue is that the agencies pull you out before 12 weeks so they do not have to pay you on a par with permanent employees.

Spamfree_2

If there is a spare bedroom, could you flat share/lodger type thing?

It must be really frustrating when the single parent breeders get money thown at them and single people without the kids for a passport to every benefit in the book are basically ignored.

princessdon

It does seem like because you are a worker with fluctuating hours you are caught in the middle between the low paid benefits (HB etc) and the hours needed for WTC.

I hope something more regular happens soon for you.

spandee

sadly not and I agree that singles tend to get hammered. that said I do not decry anyone getting their entitlement I just wish it was fairer.
Before the crash I was on 30k a year and was caned by tax and now cant earn a decent wage... 49 and no one wants to know sux Although when I am 60 I will be ok as my pension kicks i then.. just got to get there!!

spandee

Princessdon Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I was also told by the Benifits service in leeds that I fall between the cracks. Its nice that you see that.
As I have said all i want is regular work Preferably above min wage but beggars can't be choosers.

Spamfree_2

spandee wrote: »

Princessdon Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I was also told by the Benifits service in leeds that I fall between the cracks. Its nice that you see that.
As I have said all i want is regular work Preferably above min wage but beggars can't be choosers.

At least you are off your backside and making an effort, too many in this country don't bother!

spandee

thanks for that. I know that if I keep persevering something will turn up.:o

Seanfarrell21

Hi, this is my first time using this forum. I'm in the same situation as most of you and don't know what to do. Me and my gf had a baby 10 months ago. She had 9 months off work and went back last week. She used to work 5 days a week at the minimum wage, and now only works 3 so she can spend time with the little one. Because she has to work, and I have to work full time, we put our daughter into nursery for 3 days a week at £20.80 per day. When we called the CSA for advice on wether we were entitled to help with the child care costs, the man on the phone said "do you work?" to my gf. When she said yes he asked if we claim tax credits, which we don't. So he said we are entitled to nothing. At the moment we are falling short of our usual bills by £160 a month, not including buying luxuries like clothes for the baby. Is it really worth working for a living? Not sure where to go to get help

princessdon

Seanfarrell21 wrote: »

Hi, this is my first time using this forum. I'm in the same situation as most of you and don't know what to do. Me and my gf had a baby 10 months ago. She had 9 months off work and went back last week. She used to work 5 days a week at the minimum wage, and now only works 3 so she can spend time with the little one. Because she has to work, and I have to work full time, we put our daughter into nursery for 3 days a week at £20.80 per day. When we called the CSA for advice on wether we were entitled to help with the child care costs, the man on the phone said "do you work?" to my gf. When she said yes he asked if we claim tax credits, which we don't. So he said we are entitled to nothing. At the moment we are falling short of our usual bills by £160 a month, not including buying luxuries like clothes for the baby. Is it really worth working for a living? Not sure where to go to get help

Have you used the Tax Credits Calculator to see if you are eligible for Tax Credits and help towards childcare?

Do either of you a) pay into a pension b) use childcare sacrifice vouchers.

Depending on your salary and the answers to above those who are knowledgeable can advise further as your salary for Tax Credits is after pension and childcare vouchers.