Housing benefit help please?

zzzLazyDaisy

Given that the NMW for 1st year apprentices is only £2.65, and they have to cover their travelling expenses, lunches, and other work related expenses out of that, it is very unfair to consider them to be independent, but that is the way things are.

OP can you look for a part-time job, say in the evenings, when your OH or eldest children could babysit the younger ones.

Or even take in ironing - my friend used to run quite a lucrative part-time business from home doing other people's ironing. She was a single parent and did the ironing when her children were in bed.

Shelldean

Dunroamin wrote: »

Although you may not want to take the majority of his wages, if he were to pay around £40 for his keep, that would cover the majority of your loss. In addition, you won't need to be paying for pocket money, clothes or school /college expenses so, overall, you may well find that your income has gone down very little.

Yes you're right it was just seeing the facts in black and white last night made me gasp. We will cope one way or another just need to think of a strategy!!!!

The reason i was so shocked was because i'd forgotten that they would reduce the amount the govt say we need to live on. In past when OH gets pay rise i know we'll only be better off by 35p in every pound he gets. Just orginally thought this would be the same.


Am not explaining myself very well sorry.

Thanks for all help advice ...... Onwards & upwards ...... We're just closer to being benefit free than i realised xxxc

princessdon

Shelldean wrote: »

princessdon

I do understand your point, it was more of a rant than anything else.
I wasn't asking for more benefits, just wondered was there a way to stagger the change? IYSWIM?

It always seems silly that someone can get tax credits plus low income grants and travel at a lot more than an apprentice as a student - yet treat differently for an apprentice. Under universal credit he will get working tax credits. Good luck with it all.

sammyjammy

princessdon wrote: »

It always seems silly that someone can get tax credits plus low income grants and travel at a lot more than an apprentice as a student - yet treat differently for an apprentice. Under universal credit he will get working tax credits. Good luck with it all.

Will he? Do you have a link?

princessdon

sammyjammy wrote: »

Will he? Do you have a link?

Under 25 will be eligible for WTC, most apprenticeships are over the 30 hours and pay slips show 30 hours. No link as on mobile in poor reception area.

zzzLazyDaisy

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/200750/universal-credit-toolkit-faqs.pdf

Over 18's will be eligible to apply for universal credit. However the rate for under 25's will be lower than the rate for over 25's.

Just because 18-25's will be eligible to apply for UC does not mean that a single person under 25, living with parents, and a weekly income of £100 will qualify for UC.

At that point the whole family may be (financially) better off if he finds lodgings with another family away from home. He will qualify for help with housing costs under UC and OP will no longer be penalised with a non-dependent reduction.

princessdon

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/200750/universal-credit-toolkit-faqs.pdf

Over 18's will be eligible to apply for universal credit. However the rate for under 25's will be lower than the rate for over 25's.

Just because 18-25's will be eligible to apply for UC does not mean that a single person under 25, living with parents, and a weekly income of £100 will qualify for UC.

At that point the whole family may be (financially) better off if he finds lodgings with another family away from home. He will qualify for help with housing costs under UC and OP will no longer be penalised with a non-dependent reduction.

The fact sheets certainly imply they will receive it, I estimate apprentice workers can gain at least £20 pw, its a good step forward towards encouraging growth.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universal-credit-will-support-young-people-in-work

zzzLazyDaisy

I hope you are right, but Apprentices seem to fall between two stools. They are not in full time education so their parents cannot claim CB etc. Yet they also do not qualify for the NMW rate for 18 - 21 yr olds in work (currently £4.98 per hour) as they are classed as trainees, hence them only being entitled to £2.65 per hour (almost half the NMW for that group).

On that basis I do wonder if apprentices will qualify for UC at all, as they are officially on a training programme, and not actually 'in work', so it is questioable whether they will qualify for 'in work' benefits under UC. Does anyone know?

princessdon

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I hope you are right, but Apprentices seem to fall between two stools. They are not in full time education so their parents cannot claim CB etc. Yet they also do not qualify for the NMW rate for 18 - 21 yr olds in work (currently £4.98 per hour) as they are classed as trainees, hence them only being entitled to £2.65 per hour (almost half the NMW for that group).

On that basis I do wonder if apprentices will qualify for UC at all, as they are officially on a training programme, and not actually 'in work', so it is questioable whether they will qualify for 'in work' benefits under UC. Does anyone know?

We were told on training that they would as long as hours met the minimum. Not seen it in practise and it was last year. I think it's one area they should support so I hope they do, I see it as vital to kick starting the economy and growing home workplace skills.

CKhalvashi

princessdon wrote: »

Under 25 will be eligible for WTC, most apprenticeships are over the 30 hours and pay slips show 30 hours. No link as on mobile in poor reception area.

If he's on DLA, this has always been the case.

I do see what you mean, regarding the new scheme, although most of those I work with will be worse off as a result.

CK