Benefits problem. Please help!

deathbydrum

Just got back after perusing town for jobs. Thanks for the replies, yeah the £200 is us and the pets. So probably about £140 for us and £60 on the other supplies each month.

As for the water, we applied for a water meter but they couldn't give fit one at this property, but they gave us the reduced water rate which is just under £50. Before they expected £90 a month off us!

As for high electricity, yes that's another sad part of having snakes, they all have heat mats (don't use much electricity) several require heat lamps (which aren't too bad but do probably chuck an extra £20 a month onto the leccy) Like said though, getting rid of the snakes just isn't an option. I'll cut down on pretty much everything else before I'd consider that.

Reading the other posts with family members getting jobs is inspiring and I know from previous experience how suddenly circumstances can change, especially when you give them more than a little nudge yourself so I'll be keeping on that. Thanks again for posting everyone, really appreciate it.

princessdon

Why are you not entitled to contribution based JSA?

MrsAnnie

If you do a complete SOA and post it on the Debt free wannabe section, the lovely peeps there will be able to give guidance and advice on your outgoings and income.

nannytone_2

princessdon wrote: »

Why are you not entitled to contribution based JSA?

the OP has been unemployed for about 6 months so has probably used his entitlement to cpnts based JSA

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

the OP has been unemployed for about 6 months so has probably used his entitlement to cpnts based JSA

Thank you, missed that.

chris1973

Surely the people who are getting less hours need more support?

Its a double edged sword. Yes there are people who can only find part time / low paid work who genuinely need the extra help, but on the other side of the equation there are probably thousands of people who are sick of working full time and even adding overtime only to find they still barely make ends meet, and would love to reduce their hours and work part time, whilst topping up the difference in benefits.

How do you propose to support one without encouraging the other?