My SOA - Help appreciated

mamajustify

I have been going through my SOA and would appreciate any help regarding the figures, if they're too high or too low for 2 adults and 2 children.


RENT.................................£289 (this is paid by Housing Benefit)
HOUSEKEEPING....................£420 (including food, toiletries and cleaning)
GAS & ELECTRIC..................£70
WATER...............................£30
TELEPHONE.........................£60 (including internet & mobile
TRAVELLING.........................£10 (public transport)
CLOTHING...........................£50 (including footwear)
COUNCIL TAX......................£80 (this is paid by Council Tax Benefit)
TV LICENCE........................£12
ADMINISTRATION ORDER.......£10
CAR INSURANCE...................£37
CAR TAX.............................£17
BREAKDOWN COVER..............£10
PETROL & PARKING................£50
CAR SPARES & SERVICING.......£20
CAR MOT..............................£3
GARAGE...............................£20
SKY.....................................£25
SCHOOL MEALS.....................£16
SCHOOL TRIPS & ACTIVITIES...£10
NEWSPAPERS &MAGAZINES......£10
DRY CLEANING.......................£5
DENTIST...............................£10
OPTICIANS............................£10
PRESCRIPTIONS......................£5
CHILDRENS POCKET MONEY......£20
HAIRDRESSERS.......................£10
VETS....................................£5
HOBBIES & ENTERTAINMENT......£20
SUNDRIES...............................£20 (including birthdays & xmas)
GREAT UNIVERSAL ESSENTIALS..£100 (this is in my name, hence it not being included in my partners BR under 'creditors', but he actually pays the bill)


Our income is as follows:

WAR DISABLEMENT PENSION.....£392
INCAPACITY BENEFIT...............£648
CHILD BENEFIT.......................£121
HOUSING BENEFIT....................£289
COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT..............£80

Our creditors are as follows:

CAHOOT....................£9000 total ........£220 a month (personal loan)
BENEFICIAL FINANCE...£4615 total .........£110 a month (personal loan)
BENEFICIAL FINANCE...£1600 total ..........£80 a month (credit card)

TOTAL......................£15215

Many thanks

NekoZombie

Northallerton - isn't that yorkshire? Welcome to the board - are you thinking of going BR or you just want some general SOA advice?

mamajustify

My partner is going to go BR, hopefully in August when we've got the court fees together.

Posthinking

Just a cursory glance but Sky, newspapers, kids pocket money and probably hobbies would be expected to be met from your surplus income. The thing is, each OR interprets the guidelines differently and we can't give a definitive answer. Aim high and be prepared to negotiate seems to be the way. Good luck!