income based jobseekers allowance

miduck

tricklesthegreek wrote: »

Whoever suggested the HMRC job, thank you, I had a look and just spent 45 minutes doing an application form for him for a role in Southend. Wouldn't have thought of looking at them - that application form is a sod but addressing the competencies is a really nice way of doing it!

Why are you completing application forms for him? :eek:

csmw

tricklesthegreek wrote: »

Whoever suggested the HMRC job, thank you, I had a look and just spent 45 minutes doing an application form for him for a role in Southend. Wouldn't have thought of looking at them - that application form is a sod but addressing the competencies is a really nice way of doing it!

Me :-) your welcome...Fingers crossed for you. Contrary to public opnion not all us advisors at the jcp are horrible lol

tricklesthegreek

because I'm a much faster typist than he is so he could apply for something else at the same time! :T

SueC_2

tricklesthegreek wrote: »

Dogsbody - we are not allowed to rent out a room because our tenancy agreement prevents us from subletting. It was the first thing we thought of because I've actually got a mate who was willing to pay us £350 a month to get out of her parents house - but it got flatly turned down. Not sure if there's a way we can be sneaky and get around it!!

Presumably your tenancy agreement doesn't prevent you from having guests to stay. Or to prevent your guests thanking you for your hospitality by doing the supermarket shop for you.

Hmm71

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

considering going down to one car?........................for real????

I'm also going to be accused of being judgemental but I was surprised the OP said she'd managed to cut her food bill down to £55 a week for the two of them. I only spend £55 a week for four of us and a cat and one of the four is a hungry teenage lad.
Where do you live OP? Your rent does seem to be very high for the two of you. Presumably you only need a one-bedroom place? I live in the south-east and my rent is less than £800 a month for a three-bedroom flat.
Also I was wondering why you have to do your parent's shopping and medicine? Why isn't he/she paying for that?

bellevie

You mentioned a job in southend, are you fairly local to the area? Before moving to hampshire, I lived in wickford, 750 for 2 bed semi detached house 15 min drive to southend, prior to that I lived in hornchurch where I paid 850 for a 2 bed flat, moving out just 15 minutes drive dropped £100 of my rent price. I have friends in Romford renting for 850, Rainham 700-800, Benfleet 650-750.

I know its not an instant solution but maybe consider moving when your tenancy is up, so if you are ever in this position again your wage will cover the rent. Even if none of the above areas are possible what with caring for your parents, its worth checking your local area when the time comes to renew, just incase you can save a bit.

You mentioned you care for your parents daily, and pay out medication, would you be entitled to carers allowance? As if you didnt care for them I assume some one else would have to? If you are unable to get carers allowance, can they claim for assistance, eg getting a home help in - of course you would still see them daily, but it might stop your outlay? Can they get help with the money paying out for medicine, ie on pescription?

I know how hard things are on the job front 18 months Ive been searching for - I have the added issues of childcare, so can't do nights, and my hours are restricted to childminders hours which gives me a lot less scope. Got an interview this week, only a christmas temp thanks to my friend offering to watch my daughter on a saturday for the short term. Id have to find a childminder if it goes permanent, but not many in my area work saturdays. So if I get the temp job Il be praying for a miracle, cant face the thought of being out of work much longer!

Food, cleaning etc I spend around £25 -£30 a week. I get bits from Lidl, tesco, sainsbury, aldi all of them have certain items cheaper than the others. If you have a fruit & veg shop/market near you that works out cheaper too. Places like Savers or £stores good for anything that costs over £1 in supermarkets. Having a meal plan can help aswell, and of course cooking from scratch. If you have a slowcooker you can buy cheaper cuts of meat - find out when the local supermarkets sell of the meat cheaply and freeze it.
Sorry its an essay, Ive struggled a lot the past 2 years, thanks to people passing me these tips Im managing, so it is doable - just!


Good luck, I hope you manage to find away round it all

Mojisola

tricklesthegreek wrote: »

he is a telecoms engineer!!

tricklesthegreek wrote: »

He is re doing his adult literacy course because he was a Sally at school and was more interested in girls and football than his exams. He passed his numeracy last year so I'm hoping that will open up doors. He is also taking an MCSE it course so he is being far from last and doing what he can to i prove his prospects.

tricklesthegreek wrote: »

but while my dad is in the position that he is then I can't leave him. He spent his life taking care of me, the least I can do is make sure he is okay. If it means I have to suffer high rents and sacrifice any kind of life then for me the pay off has to be seeing my dad and taking care of him. Just hope my husband can find something soon to take the pressure off. :j

How did your OH get to be a telecoms engineer without basic literacy and numeracy?

If your Dad has health problems, could your OH claim Carer's Allowance for looking after him?