Benefits boundaries help!!

Dale1991

Ok guys, I'm going to have to give a bit of an explanation here and hopefully it makes sense to you. (I've rounded the numbers slightly for simplicity of understanding)

I currently live with my mum. She is disabled and will never be cured, so is in receipt of benefits. Because I am earning, the benefits receive a deduction based on "bands". Currently this works as follows:

I earn £235 per week and I pay £45 per week "top-up".

This is where my problem now applies. I have just got a new job. My pay will increase and I now fall into the next "band". As follows:

I will earn £260 per week and I pay £75 per week "top-up".

The more observant of you may notice that I will in fact be £5 a week WORSE OFF by getting a £25 a week pay rise.

These bands are worked out using Gross Pay amounts (pre tax and whatnot)

Does anybody know if there are any solutions to this problem? I can only think of one possible option to me; to ask to be paid less. This sounds completely and utterly ludicrous to do.

I know the ideal situation is to not have to be on benefits, but not all of us are so lucky. This situation means I don't have finincial support from parents, and I am really struggling to save enough money to move out and get my own place.

Any questions or clarifications needed are welcome.

Please, someone, help me!


Dale.

rogerblack

Firstly.
Is she claiming PIP or DLA in addition to ESA.
Which benefit are you referring to?
Housing benefit, or council tax support?
The latter is localised - so your council matters.

Dale1991

it's a housing benefit and as far as I know it's just ESA and some child tax for my sister

pmlindyloo

These non dependent deductions are not made if the claimant is in receipt of the care component of DLA, the Daily Living component of PIP or AA.

Does your mum have any care needs?

sulkisu

Dale1991 wrote: »

Ok guys, I'm going to have to give a bit of an explanation here and hopefully it makes sense to you. (I've rounded the numbers slightly for simplicity of understanding)

I currently live with my mum. She is disabled and will never be cured, so is in receipt of benefits. Because I am earning, the benefits receive a deduction based on "bands". Currently this works as follows:

I earn £235 per week and I pay £45 per week "top-up".

This is where my problem now applies. I have just got a new job. My pay will increase and I now fall into the next "band". As follows:

I will earn £260 per week and I pay £75 per week "top-up".

The more observant of you may notice that I will in fact be £5 a week WORSE OFF by getting a £25 a week pay rise.

These bands are worked out using Gross Pay amounts (pre tax and whatnot)

Does anybody know if there are any solutions to this problem? I can only think of one possible option to me; to ask to be paid less. This sounds completely and utterly ludicrous to do.

I know the ideal situation is to not have to be on benefits, but not all of us are so lucky. This situation means I don't have finincial support from parents, and I am really struggling to save enough money to move out and get my own place.

Any questions or clarifications needed are welcome.

Please, someone, help me!


Dale.

I hope that by 'topping up' you are referring to the non-dependent deductions made from your mothers' benefits' (otherwise my post makes no sense). Remember, the deduction is made to take account of money that non-dependants should be contributing to the household, otherwise your mother's benefits would be supporting you despite the fact that you are working, which wouldn't be right.

You don't have to give her this exact amount - many non-dependants in your position give more, to take account of the real cost of maintaining them - but you could always suggest giving her less money each week.


The problem with that is that she could tell you to 'do one'. She would be in the same financial position without you there, as there would be no deductions to her benefits. You on the other hand, would be significantly worse off as you would have to pay rent, bills, etc and try to save for flat out of £235 per week.


Saving for your own place is a great idea, if you can afford to do so. You might have to reduce your spending in other areas, to be able to do so.