Wages don't cover the basic bills

Ianwindowman

zagfles wrote: »

There's something very wrong here, you should be getting a lot more than £63pw CTC if you only earn £10k a year between you. Was your income last tax year a lot higher? If so you can get this year's payments based on an estimate.

yeah they were higher. i was working but made redundant. i was working part time self employed during this time also.

but there was nothing on the form about estimates

Ianwindowman

princessdon wrote: »

As we have said your TC are too low.

However, you have now added an extra £40 pw to your income that you didn't disclose in the first post.

hey i am a bloke. the g/f usually sorts this stuff out!! lol

princessdon

Ianwindowman wrote: »

yeah they were higher. i was working but made redundant. i was working part time self employed during this time also.

but there was nothing on the form about estimates

You need to advise them of the changes.

TattyG

Surely you should get free school meals - Eligible income includes Income Support, JSA(IB), Guaranteed Credit, ESA(IR), Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) provided the Household income does not exceed £16,190 as assessed by HM Revenues and Customs.

You say you are on CTC but not WTC and on less than the £16,190.

Ianwindowman

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Have you put your details into the calculator at the Turn2Us website to see what that thinks you should receive in supporting benefits?

yeah it says £175 in tc, but we phoned them and they said no, £63 is what we are entitled to

Tiglath

If you're sure that you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to, and in the absence for now of a fulltime job, your remaining choice is to look at cutting expenditure and doing all you can to live frugally (like lots of people on here). Tell the kids to eat their sandwiches; it won't kill them and it'll be a lot cheaper than £30/week for 10 meals. My husband and I live on £30-40/week for all meals so your £110/week for 4 of you is actually quite luxurious - there are lots of good food suggestions in the OldStyle part of the forum.

Ianwindowman

TattyG wrote: »

Surely you should get free school meals - Eligible income includes Income Support, JSA(IB), Guaranteed Credit, ESA(IR), Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) provided the Household income does not exceed £16,190 as assessed by HM Revenues and Customs.

You say you are on CTC but not WTC and on less than the £16,190.

yeah we earn about 10k between us and no working tax

zagfles

Ianwindowman wrote: »

yeah it says £175 in tc, but we phoned them and they said no, £63 is what we are entitled to

Well they are wrong, if what you've written in this thread is right. What was your income in 2011/12? Check your claim, do they know you have 2 children (the CTC seems right for one not two).

Something is wrong and you need to answer the questions you've been asked if you want help from us figuring out what its wrong.

TattyG

Go to your local council website or get the form from the school. You then need to take this to the library or benefits centre with your proof of tax credits and they will sign it for you there and then. Hand this in to school and the kids meals will be free - that should save you some money x

Ianwindowman

TattyG wrote: »

Surely you should get free school meals - Eligible income includes Income Support, JSA(IB), Guaranteed Credit, ESA(IR), Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) provided the Household income does not exceed £16,190 as assessed by HM Revenues and Customs.

You say you are on CTC but not WTC and on less than the £16,190.

are you saying we could be entitled to everything in your post?
i have never even heard of esa(ir)