Part time work/benefit/shared ownership query

AliceBanned

I just lost this as I was typing it in so will just write briefly this time. I'm a bit upset as very unhappy at work, and I can't see things every improving, as it is due to management and they will always be there, they have it too good to leave.

The question is, I live in a shared ownership flat, which I love, but if I hand in my notice and ended up at some stage not being able to meet payments on the rental part, would I be able to apply for housing benefit?

I'm not considering doing this right away. if only I could! But I seriously need to look at my future/finances/work and try to find a way out of this hole. Living in a nice area with a good commute into London isn't really enough, as day to day I am so unhappy with some of my colleagues, who constantly muscle in on my conversations with others and my manager is patronising, and insulting. I just want to walk, just to show them I can. I seriously have had enough.

I've done lots of temping in the past, but largely in the NHS, which I would rather avoid as you are bottom of the heap as an administrator there, and there isn't a good work culture at all. Swore I would never go back.

I am considering doing a PGCE and teaching but have no idea how I could get that qualification whilst I have no money to cover costs whilst training. I know there are ways around it but at the moment I would just like to know what happens with the rental side £434.00 per month in my case, with shared ownership? Can it be paid by benefits?

cattie

Sorry to hear you're so unhappy at work. It's a pity as bad management or a nasty boss can really affect how content you can feel at work.

Yes, you would qualify for help via HB on the rental part of your flat, so hope this helps to put your mind at rest on that score.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

And the good news is you are exempt from the bedroom tax as you are in a shared ownership property.

AliceBanned

cattie wrote: »

Sorry to hear you're so unhappy at work. It's a pity as bad management or a nasty boss can really affect how content you can feel at work.

Yes, you would qualify for help via HB on the rental part of your flat, so hope this helps to put your mind at rest on that score.

Thanks Cattie, that does put my mind at rest. I actually called in sick today as I felt it was all too much - I am reaching crisis point in my stress levels and my back is suffering (which is the only bit I told them about). My manager is so patronising that I feel it is damaging my self esteem. he has even been going behind my back asking people about my confidence levels and whether they had improved. A colleague told me that he put on her appraisal that she was "a perfectionist" - meaning it in a bad way. In any case, how does he or anyone know, and have the right to judge, our characters in this way? We are doing a good job and that is that; the rest is an invasion of our personal lives.

Anyway, enough of that. It is great news as it means I can leave and temp if I decide too, as I should easily make the mortgage payments £374 pm if I got out of work for a few days or a couple of weeks, say, but maybe not the rent. I also have council tax of £110 pm and rent of £434, plus service charge of £102. So it is a big outgoing and I am only just surviving. I knew it would be this difficult for a couple of years, but I think if I can make my life happier I will cope ; including a fresh start re work.

Also I am allowed to take a sabbatical of up to 3 months (at the discretion of my manager who may well allow it as long as the diary is free for a while, which it is in the summer); unpaid; I assume the rent could not be paid by HB if i did this as I have chosen to take it. After 6 years in the company I am allowed to take it, and to be honest 6 years with the same colleagues makes me think I need it.

I just wonder whether taking HB would affect things if in the future I wanted to staircase and buy bigger shares - I only own 40%? I presume it would as mortgage companies wouldn't like this so I will try to cover all costs myself. I usually can, but with my debts at the mo the stress is a bit worrying! Good to know I have something to fall back on - it is only a one bed flat so I can't get a lodger - I would othewise and am starting to look for any 2 beds that I like, in cheaper areas. . Just more practical really.

AliceBanned

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

And the good news is you are exempt from the bedroom tax as you are in a shared ownership property.

Thanks - it is only a one bed flat anyway. But I hear a lot about how people are struggling just if they have one spare room. I can't afford a spare room and have never had one.:D

StormyWeather_2

Do you know what PGCE you might do? There are bursaries for secondary maths and sciences. You can get student loan to cover the fees, but I believe this is treated as income.

Also, can you get a maintenance grant?

From what I've read, a PGCE is a big commitment and difficult to fit a part time job around one.

What about going for a teaching assistant first? You need to have some hours in a school to apply for the PGCE and you could be earning and trying out the school environment.

AliceBanned

I want to teach English language and literature. Ideally up to "A" level but not sure I'd get in for that. Would happily do an MA if I could spare the time/money. I also studied German (with English Lit combined honours) as my BA so I could teach German. I wouldn't find it as interesting though; I don't think there are any bursaries for that either at the moment.

Teaching assistant is good idea - had considered it in the past. It is low money but with the benefits I could do it I think.

I have some experience teaching English as a foreign language, in Thailand but that is all. Probably not enough.

AliceBanned

ps no idea about a maintenance grant. Could look into it.

My friend did supply teaching for years and said good if you're someone like me who likes a bit of flexibility. I get very stressed by being in the same environment for years on end, the politics etc. I'm more of a free spirit and it drives me mad! I'm quite sensitive; lots of people tell me I am; I'm tough inside though. The sensitivity makes it difficult for me to put up with office politics ; I can survive it but that's not a happy situation, just getting by.:(. There is a lot of !!!!!iness in my office, and a clique of girls who have just never given me an easy time. Not just me, but anyone who doesn't speak/look/act exactly like them. they are the "in" crowd. . So childish but it is draining. It's probably jealousy or insecurity but I'm sick and tired of it now, I just don't like them and deserve better.

paddedjohn

If you can only claim LHA for half the rent how are you going to manage your mortgage on the other half? If you work a few hours to pay for this will the income affect your entitlement to LHA?

StormyWeather_2

Could you teach German now? If so, I don't think you'd be limited to doing a PGCE and schools. You could look into teaching in a business environment and adult education.

If you're in a tourist area, would being a guide for German tourists be something you could do?

SkyeKnight

AliceBanned wrote: »

I want to teach English language and literature. Ideally up to "A" level but not sure I'd get in for that. Would happily do an MA if I could spare the time/money. I also studied German (with English Lit combined honours) as my BA so I could teach German. I wouldn't find it as interesting though; I don't think there are any bursaries for that either at the moment.

There are bursaries for both English and foreign languages PGCE courses.

Languages are: £20k for a 1st, £15k for a 2.1, £12k for a 2.2
English are: £9k for a 1st, £4k for a 2.1

I think these training bursaries are in addition to normal student loans. The other possibility is to train on the job (School Direct) which the government want most people to do nowadays.