Fel let down by the 'system'.......

cottonhead

My husband recently lost his job. We have both always worked and when I was made redundant a few years back I took on some really horrid badly paid jobs until I found a proper job again.

Now my husband lost his job it seems apart from jobseekers we dont qualify for any financial help. The child tax credit people said we earned too much in this financial year to qualify for anything but to call back next March ! My wages wont stretch to pay everything and so we have no choice but to get behind on all the bills including the mortgage. Not good as we hoped to move soon.

I just feel so annoyed that when someone who tries hard needs help there isnt any. I know a woman nearby who hasnt worked in 4 years through choice. She has a much bigger house than us, goes on holidays ( we dont ) and her benefits mean she is entitled to discounted play schemes for the kids, cheap gym membership etc etc. Where as I have to pay full price.

Benefits are fine if they are provided for those in need but how is it that someone can choose not to work and allow people like me to go without and stump up the tax to cover their benefits ?! So annoyed!

(ps - I meant to say Feel let down ! )

j.e.j.

I know what you mean, - if you're working hard but struggling to make ends meet, and you see other people around you seemingly leading the life of riley it can get you angry. But try not to waste your energy resenting other people. You never really know what's happening in their lives, - they might be up to their eyeballs in credit card debt for all you know.

I was just wondering if you've tried for housing benefit? Also, if you haven't done so already try taking a look on the entitledto website to see if there's any help available to you that you haven't yet applied for.

The government does stipulate a certain amount of money is necessary to live on, and if you fall short of this you should be entitled to something.

Just a quick note about applying for income-based benefits: the DWP tend to get a bit nosey, and ask you for bank statements and proof of savings/earnings etc and they will then work out whether or not you have enough to live on. If, according to them, you do have enough, then it's just a case of tightening your belts for a while and budgetting, I'm afraid.

Anyway, hope some of this has been of help to you. Hope you OH manages to find work soon.

Lara44

Hi Cottonhead

I really feel for you. Maybe you haven't been given the right advice? You could put a thread outlining your circumstances on the benefits board as they may be able to advise. I don't really know much about the system but would have thought you'd also be entitled to help with council tax?

Are there any possible ways to avoid missing payments on your mortgage - for example switching to interest only or taking a repayment holiday? Talk to any creditors now and see if they can help you rather than waiting to default.

podperson

Hi Cottonhead,
I do feel for you - we've been in a similar situation and it's frustrating that after trying to make your own way and not rely on the system, then when you do need an ocassional bit of help it seems you get treated like dirt.
Have you tried applying for council tax benefit to get a bit extra in? I think you can at least get single person discount while he's on jsa. Could also be worth asking your mortgage company if you could possibly go on interest only for say 6 months while he finds something else.
Also, regarding tax credits - I haven't been on child tax credit just the working tax so I'm not sure if it works differently but in the past when we've had a large reduction in income I've called them up and said we've had a change in circumstances and could they please work it out off our present details rather then last years, and they have always agreed to it. Might be worth ringing back and asking them again.

TheConways

Whilst this isn't any help to you here and now, you can see why it is so important to have a safety net of savings built up to cover you for 2-3 months in case you lose your job. When your husband finds a new job, you should focus on doing this as a priority, assuming you don't have other non-mortgage debts.

My father lost his job in the early 90s, and we only survived because of our "rainy day" savings.


Sadly, it has now been five years in a very tough economic environment. Do you have family who can help out?

memoryoftrees

It is hugely frustrating, and while it is not quite the same thing I have a number of friends who would love to expand their families but can't for financial reasons, while those reliant on benefits don't have this consideration - I bumped into a girl I taught in my first year teaching yesterday who is now 23 and with four children. It does make one despair rather!

Having said that, TheConways is also quite right, although I sympathise as I haven't got much in the way of savings and obviously if you're paying off debt that takes the priority - no one really expects to lose their job.

I really hope you can find something soon x

Smurtfet

Hi, I know exactly how you feel.
I'm a single mother of 2, who has always worked and claimed child tax credit as that was what I was entitled to.
Last year when re-newing my application, I got a letter back saying that I earnt too much but that out of good will and to stop hardship, they would give me £50 a month.
This year, I received a letter saying I owe them over £500 due to over payment!
Can you believe it.....? They pay me then say it's my fault!! I always provide the exact sums on my P60 each year.
Any ideas????
I have written to the tax office with a copy of their letter from last year but no reply

I'm trying to clear my debts and get straight but then it feels like I get a kick in the teeth. How are we meant to get the country and ourselves out of debt when the powers of be do this:mad:

balletshoes

Lara44 wrote: »

I really feel for you. Maybe you haven't been given the right advice? You could put a thread outlining your circumstances on the benefits board as they may be able to advise. I don't really know much about the system but would have thought you'd also be entitled to help with council tax?

this is a good idea. I'd also call the tax credits people back and explain what your current situation is - if you have had a major drop in your normal income your circumstances as they are now should be considered for the tax credits calculation.

amus

cottonhead wrote: »

My husband recently lost his job. We have both always worked and when I was made redundant a few years back I took on some really horrid badly paid jobs until I found a proper job again.

Now my husband lost his job it seems apart from jobseekers we dont qualify for any financial help. The child tax credit people said we earned too much in this financial year to qualify for anything but to call back next March ! My wages wont stretch to pay everything and so we have no choice but to get behind on all the bills including the mortgage. Not good as we hoped to move soon.

I just feel so annoyed that when someone who tries hard needs help there isnt any. I know a woman nearby who hasnt worked in 4 years through choice. She has a much bigger house than us, goes on holidays ( we dont ) and her benefits mean she is entitled to discounted play schemes for the kids, cheap gym membership etc etc. Where as I have to pay full price.

Benefits are fine if they are provided for those in need but how is it that someone can choose not to work and allow people like me to go without and stump up the tax to cover their benefits ?! So annoyed!

(ps - I meant to say Feel let down ! )

Im sure Ive read that in emergency circumstances you can ask child tax credits to assess you based on your situation as it is now so I would try them again.

Also, if you are entitled to income based JSA (it will depend on what you earn) then you should be able to get some of your mortgage interest paid for the first 6 months of being on benefit (I think they will pay interest on up to £125,000).

You may also be able to get help with council tax.

But yes, you're right, in your situation you would be better off if you or your husband had never worked.

nottslass_2

As others have said,ring the Tax credits and ask for your claim to be reassessed using your present income.

LisaLou1982

OP do you own or rent your home?
If you have a mortgage then you can apply for the interest to be paid on a mortgage upto £100k (i think) after 13 weeks.

If you rent then put in a claim for housing benefit

Either way, put in a claim for council tax benefit if you havent already xx