Beneficial to work?

banner188

I can't believe that this guy is asking how to increase his families income by both him and his wife working and still getting benefit bashed!

paulcornwall

Thanks for your replies so far - Firstly I'm only debating this at the moment, to see whether any of this is possible and what degree of work my partner and/or myself would need to do to increase our monthly income. I look after my mother most days but do have the occasional break, however I would'nt have enough free time to look after my 1 yr old while my other half done say 16 hours a week (mainy becasue I have no idea when I might have a few hours off due to her condition), could we get help with child care?

benefitbaby

Due to the changes to the amount of hours that need to be worked before a couple will qualify for working tax credits you and/or partner will need to work at least 24 hours a week (with one of you doing at least 16 hours of these).

If 24 hours are not undertaken then no WTC will be payable and any hours under 24 will directly impact the IS (and HB/CTB if relevant).

For IS you get to keep the first £20 per week only and after that earnings are taken into account pound for pound.

For HB/CTB the first £20 is ignored and the remaining earnings are taken into account by a 65% taper.

Hope this helps. You should have a play with the entitledto benefit calculator to try some scenarios.

benefitbaby

paulcornwall wrote: »

Thanks for your replies so far - Firstly I'm only debating this at the moment, to see whether any of this is possible and what degree of work my partner and/or myself would need to do to increase our monthly income. I look after my mother most days but do have the occasional break, however I would'nt have enough free time to look after my 1 yr old while my other half done say 16 hours a week (mainy becasue I have no idea when I might have a few hours off due to her condition), could we get help with child care?

If sufficient hours were worked for WTC to kick in then it is possible to get assistance with childcare (up to 70% of the cost).

banner188

benefitbaby wrote: »

Due to the changes to the amount of hours that need to be worked before a couple will qualify for working tax credits you and/or partner will need to work at least 24 hours a week (with one of you doing at least 16 hours of these).

If 24 hours are not undertaken then no WTC will be payable and any hours under 24 will directly impact the IS (and HB/CTB if relevant).

For IS you get to keep the first £20 per week only and after that earnings are taken into account pound for pound.

For HB/CTB the first £20 is ignored and the remaining earnings are taken into account by a 65% taper.

Hope this helps. You should have a play with the entitledto benefit calculator to try some scenarios.

He gets carers allowance therefore his wife can work 16 hours and qualify for WTC

paddedjohn

PippaGirl wrote: »

His mother needs caring for, he claims Carers allowance so cares for her a minimum of 35 hours a week, I assume providing care in the day/evening/weekends. It's difficult to work full time, and care for as many hours as his mother needs care for and be a father to his children. This is why the Government has created such benefits as Carers allowance and allow it to be backed by Income support, because they want to support family members providing care for relatives. It's all perfectly legal, no need to hound the OP for doing so.

Don't be so naive, the op is only not working at the moment because if he did he would have to face up to his responsibilities and pay some debts off. Funny that as soon as the bankruptcy is over he will be able to look for work even though he is a "full time career for his mother"

paulcornwall

Although many of your replies are civil, there are some that are g0d dam rude and insulting. I work my butt off caring for my mother for a measely £58 a week, all I'm trying to do is improve our situation and see if its even possible. Do you really think I want to be in this situation, not all people on benefits are leaches, some of us have no choice.

PippaGirl_2

Unfortunately Paul, the majority here hate anyone claiming benefits and slate anyone they personally consider isn't doing enough to be independent from the state. Hang on to the fact that there are a few posters here who manage to reserve judgement in the knowledge that they can't possibly know a posters full situation and cricumstances and refuse to jump to conclusions. Go to CAG if you want helpful unbiased answers.

FBaby

It's just that you come across as wanting to know what the minimum hours you as a family need to work to gain maximum income. Asking why you can't look after your mum and baby when many people do care for more than one person and why your wife can't work full time are not perverse questions.

benefitbaby

banner188 wrote: »

He gets carers allowance therefore his wife can work 16 hours and qualify for WTC

Doh! you are absolutely right (I need another cup of coffee)