My hours have been reduced - can I get help?

ChrissieS_2

Hi folks

My contract has come to an end but I haven't managed to find full-time work. The person I was covering for (maternity leave) is only coming back part-time, so I can stay on for 3 months to cover the other 17.5 hours, giving me a salary of £10,500. I have a mortgage on a small 1-bedroomed flat and utility bills. On the new wage I will fall short of my utility bills by £40 and that's before I start shopping for food (or anything else).

Does anyone know if I can get any help while I'm looking for a new job? I have 2 interviews in the next fortnight and have just had 2 interviews where I was not successful.

Many thanks.

BigAunty

You can identify any benefits you may be due on the Turn2us online benefit calculator.

Unfortunately, there is nothing directly for your housing as those on low incomes (as opposed to benefits) can't get any help. You may qualify for council tax discount.

If you don't have a disability or dependents or aren't a lone parent, you won't qualify for working tax credits - single people have to be 25 or over and work 30 hours plus.
I recommend that you download the MSE budget planner and work through the site to identify where to slash living expenses.

ChrissieS_2

Thanks Big Aunty

I don't have any living expenses to slash. I don't have a tele or car and only a mortgage and utility bills at the moment while my work is in jeopardy. I am down to the wire already. I will have no money for food on the new wage, so nothing to cut there.

I will try to find out if I can get a council tax rebate and look into some local food giveaway schemes.

It seems crazy that I'm trying hard to get work and staying in work to have a base to work from and potentially I could starve, although I know my friends won't let me go without food. Not keen on having to live off others. Isn't it amazing how you can go from solvent to poverty in a month with no help out there? No working tax credits for people who find their hours reduced ... that's not good.

ChrissieS_2

Council tax discount I meant.

McKneff

Search like mad for another part/full time job.

Do you have any family or friends who can help out.

princessdon

ChrissieS wrote: »

Thanks Big Aunty

I don't have any living expenses to slash. I don't have a tele or car and only a mortgage and utility bills at the moment while my work is in jeopardy. I am down to the wire already. I will have no money for food on the new wage, so nothing to cut there.

I will try to find out if I can get a council tax rebate and look into some local food giveaway schemes.

It seems crazy that I'm trying hard to get work and staying in work to have a base to work from and potentially I could starve, although I know my friends won't let me go without food. Not keen on having to live off others. Isn't it amazing how you can go from solvent to poverty in a month with no help out there? No working tax credits for people who find their hours reduced ... that's not good.

It's because they use annual data, and I agree it's crazy - myself and others have been in the same position but it is the way it is.

ChrissieS_2

Thanks for all your replies.

I am trying to find any type of extra work to tide me over while I apply for full-time jobs. According to Turn2Us I don't qualify for council tax discount, but I'll pop into the local council office to double-check.

I feel like petitioning the government for a chunk of the tax I've paid in while working from the age of 17-48 (not been out of full-time work prior to this).

Depressing ....

McKneff

ChrissieS wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies.

I am trying to find any type of extra work to tide me over while I apply for full-time jobs. According to Turn2Us I don't qualify for council tax discount, but I'll pop into the local council office to double-check.

I feel like petitioning the government for a chunk of the tax I've paid in while working from the age of 17-48 (not been out of full-time work prior to this).

Depressing ....

Ive been working 47 years, newly retired and only get 60% state pension after being fooled in the 60s into paying a married womans stamp. No benefits for me and my OH. But we were wise enough to take personal pensions out albeit small ones, but we manage. Mortgage paid off thank goodness.

Good luck with the job hunting.

ChrissieS_2

Thanks McKneff

Pensions are a minefield, aren't they? Glad you're managing and at least the mortgage is a weight off your mind. I bought my first flat last year at the age of 47. My mortgage goes past retirement but the idea is that I pay off some lump sums before then. A year in and I'm going to have to ask to reduce my payments ....