Surviving on very little

tiamaria

Posting for a friend




I've advised him to go to the CAB, but I'm stumped really.

Any help appreciated.

pmlindyloo

Your friend needs to sign on for JSA and complete the claim and attend the first interview, even if this means he has to turn down a job.

He can claim JSA as long as he works less than 16 hours a week. If his salary in any week exceeds the JSA payment (less a £5 disregard) he will receive no JSA money but the claim will remain open.

As soon as he works 16 hrs in a week or more then he will have to close the claim and then make a rapid reclaim the following week.

As regards Housing Benefit and Council Tax support this should be sorted out in his JSA interview.

It is worth his going to the council once his HB claim is up and running and ask about a Discretionary Housing Payment. He can make an application to have his arrears paid off with this payment as it will prevent his homelessness.

There may also be a chance of his getting some HB backdated but he would have to show 'good reason' - ie, an illness/bereavement etc etc. From what you have said he doesn't appear to have 'good reason' and therefore would need to apply for the Discretionary Housing Payment (but please note he has to be in receipt of HB to get this.)

When you do not have fixed hours and salary claiming benefits can be a nightmare so he really needs to keep looking for a job with fixed hours and pay.

He cannot just resign as he may be sanctioned so he needs to keep the current job until he finds a new one or even tow part time ones.

Your friend needs to be more proactive. There is help available but he is doing the classic burying his head in the sand. This often happens when things just get on top of you.

And one more thing - if he loses his current place because of rent arrears then he may be found to have made himself intentionally homeless and not even be housed in a hostel or B & B!

Oh and as regards his other debts (and more advice about benefits) go to CAB and they will help him make a sensible repayment plan or have other suggestions.

tiamaria

That's really helpful,thanks , i will show him this .

sammyjammy

Your friend is exactly the type of worker that will benefit from Universal Credit!

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/337953/uc-faqs.pdf

tiamaria

Not the right area but looks interesting, thanks