Advice on a change in circumstances please

mumofone2011

Hello,

Never posted on here before but need help and not sure where to turn.

Husband has worked in his current job for over 10 years but ownership has changed and he is now finding it a miserable existence to go in there 40 hours a week. There's too much detail to go into but basically he never has a good day there and is now under a considerable amount of stress.

I myself work 16h per week around our young daughter (age 2) and enjoy my job.

He has been given the opportunity to work self employed of which the days would be about 12h long but...

He can only get one day per week!

This would however be for double the amount of pay he would normally earn in a day, there is a very strong possibility that a workload and therefore hours increase is imminent.

I have gather from some research that as we would be doing a 28h week between us we would be classed as a working couple, so would be able to rely on benefits until his hours increased. What I'm worried about is that he technically would be walking away from a 40h week to only do 12h and this may cause a sanction of some description on claiming anything.

It's so hard as his current job is stable but he is miserable. The positive factors are there for the workload self employed to increase eventually but he needs to get out there to get the jobs to do it. If he can (and in my considerable judgment) I think he would, we would be more better off than we have ever been.

Any ideas if we could claim to get us by while this materialises. I understand the risks and this is why we're researching this side of things before he hands in his notice.

Thanks

pmlindyloo

mumofone2011 wrote: »

Hello,

Never posted on here before but need help and not sure where to turn.

Husband has worked in his current job for over 10 years but ownership has changed and he is now finding it a miserable existence to go in there 40 hours a week. There's too much detail to go into but basically he never has a good day there and is now under a considerable amount of stress.

I myself work 16h per week around our young daughter (age 2) and enjoy my job.

He has been given the opportunity to work self employed of which the days would be about 12h long but...

He can only get one day per week!

This would however be for double the amount of pay he would normally earn in a day, there is a very strong possibility that a workload and therefore hours increase is imminent.

I have gather from some research that as we would be doing a 28h week between us we would be classed as a working couple, so would be able to rely on benefits until his hours increased. What I'm worried about is that he technically would be walking away from a 40h week to only do 12h and this may cause a sanction of some description on claiming anything.

It's so hard as his current job is stable but he is miserable. The positive factors are there for the workload self employed to increase eventually but he needs to get out there to get the jobs to do it. If he can (and in my considerable judgment) I think he would, we would be more better off than we have ever been.

Any ideas if we could claim to get us by while this materialises. I understand the risks and this is why we're researching this side of things before he hands in his notice.

Thanks

As a couple with children you need to do 24 hrs between you to meet the eligibility criteria for working tax credits which you seem to meet.

As previously said put your details into the calculator to see what benefits you may be entitled to.

densol_2

I walked away from a dreadful miserable job in March. I am now self employed and whilst my first year I will make a loss due to set up costs and annual investment allowance - next year I should make a small profit. My redundancy pays my bills as well as child tax credits. I've never been happier. I was ill almost every week whilst at work. Since March I've not been ill - yet had people round me with colds, coughs etc and I've not caught one ! Job stress can ruin your life. If you can go for it and keep a standard of living you need ( not necessarily what you had ) - then take the chance - you have only one life. I've never regretted.

I enjoy living on a budget - I've had a huge clear out selling unwanted stuff etc and shop on a very tight budget

busy_mom_2

as pmlindyloo said as a couple to qualify for WTC a minimum of 24 hours is needed with one of you doing at least 16 hrs.
Could you increase your hours at all if hubby will be a home more until his work increases rather than rely on the beneifts to support you? Perhaps hubby or yourself could look at another part time job?

Robin-i'-the-Hood

I work a 40 hour week and I find my job stressful.There's nothing I'd like better than to hand my notice in and work 12 hours instead. But, call me old-fashioned, I have this ridiculous attitude about paying my way rather than throwing my teddy out the pram. If your husband doesn't like his job, he should change it...not rely on Johnny Taxpayer to fund a lifestyle he'd prefer. You both need to have a word with yourselves.
For the record, I'm a single dad, I get no maintenence and go to work because that's how food gets put on the table.
I'm sure you won't like this attitude but that's tough. It needs said. What if everyone had your attitude???? Redundancy is one thing.... choosing to leave your job something completely different.