Would you say there is anything I could possibly claim, no money for neccesities :(

sophiedeana

Hi all, really sorry if this post is in the wrong place!

My situation is quite a tricky one so any advice is welcome. I'm 16 (17 in September), I'm in full time education, I work part time (NEXT Retail) and I live with my partner (of whom works full time).

There are days where we struggle to eat a proper meal due to our situation. My parents have quite frankly exiled me (I'd rather not go into detail, however, be rest assured that financial help and moving back home is no option lol). My partner rents a council place, of which I believe he got when he was quite a bit younger (he's 20 now). This is very costly, he earns around £200 per week, of which is sometimes cut short if there isn't much work to do (therefore less hours as he is paid hourly). I work as many extra hours as possible but this is proving difficult with study on top, plus I earn next to nothing, around £50 per week. Our combined salaries must cover:
Ciouncil tax
Rent
Food
Electricity/Gas
Water Bills
TV (basic package)
My laptop and wifi (although this seems rather unnecessary, it's essential for me as I have lots of essays and on hand research to do. Due to work commitments and ill health, a library is beyond inconvenient in replacement of this).
Our phones
Cabs (this is a tricky one, I can only take a cab to work because there is no direct bus/train route as its on the A127. I cannot possibly work for the 3 hours it would take to get there due to ill health and I'd be unable to complete my studies, it'd physically defeat me ) These cabs cost me £18 to get to and from work, so any extra hours are more often than not not worth doing due to it costing more in transport.
Plus a few possible extras I've failed to mention.

I couldn't possibly claim a disability allowance as I've no diagnosis, but the basic line is my medical mystery condition (of which has landed me in hospital three times since January), is still being tested and researched. The only thing I'm certainly entitled to is help from my college in September, for transportation.

I feel deflated and lost. I know the vast majority of young people my age live at home, usually with no job and if they do it's to finance their luxuries and going out with mates, depending on their families, enjoying the little freedom they have left before the gruesome adult world takes its toll. I'm not complaining, I enjoy making my own way in life, it's just I feel my health and education is suffering because of my work commitments. I'm in no way suggesting people don't have it far worse, it's just I feel so deflated and depressive about my living situation God bless my partner for being the loving man he is.

Thank you.

sophiedeana

Thank you, but unfortunately I am too young to use a benefit calculator using my partner's earnings alone on the calculator, we aren't entitled to anything. As for the benefit of disability allowance, I work in a 'physically demanding' work place and my condition is physical, not mental, so once again, I'm not entitled.

rltatty

Hi Sophie,

As above, i'd recommend using entitledto.co.uk as a starting point to check if you are entitled to anything, however, this does only work for over 18's (as it checks for means-tested benefit entitlement), but you may be able to gauge an estimate if you "pretend" your 18 for the sake of the calculator.

I would also recommend applying for Personal Independence Payment, again as above, the award is based on any care and mobility needs, due to your symptoms and illness/es, if you're not expecting anything from it, surely there's no harm?

I would also suggest applying for housing benefit and / or council tax reduction as due to your income I believe you may be eligible on the grounds of "low income". It may only be £2/3 per week, but i'm sure this is better than nothing. Every little helps.

Also check out the money-saving boards, maybe you could find a reduction in your TV package, or opt for free-view. There's also a tonne of threads about saving money on your food shopping, and meal ideas to make the most of what you have in your cupboards - won't increase your income but it can make what you have stretch further - I have found them extremely useful in the past with tips such as cooking in bulk and freezing meals for another day.

Maybe the "boost your income" board could help you too, given that you have a laptop and wi-fi, maybe you could do some of the survey work or something similar.

I would also recommend applying for job vacancies nearer to home, so that even if you do require a taxi, it will cost you less. Also check with NEXT to see if they can offer you a transfer to a store nearer to home, if applicable.

Sorry I couldn't offer more advice, but I hope this helps and you get things resolved so you can manage easier soon, I was in your situation at 16 myself!

sophiedeana

How do I apply for disability allowance? I thought it was for only over 18's? Furthermore, do I need my Doctor's approval?

billywilly

rltatty wrote: »

Hi Sophie,

As above, i'd recommend using entitledto.co.uk as a starting point to check if you are entitled to anything, however, this does only work for over 18's (as it checks for means-tested benefit entitlement), but you may be able to gauge an estimate if you "pretend" your 18 for the sake of the calculator.

I would also recommend applying for Personal Independence Payment, again as above, the award is based on any care and mobility needs, due to your symptoms and illness/es, if you're not expecting anything from it, surely there's no harm?

I would also suggest applying for housing benefit and / or council tax reduction as due to your income I believe you may be eligible on the grounds of "low income". It may only be £2/3 per week, but i'm sure this is better than nothing. Every little helps.

Also check out the money-saving boards, maybe you could find a reduction in your TV package, or opt for free-view. There's also a tonne of threads about saving money on your food shopping, and meal ideas to make the most of what you have in your cupboards - won't increase your income but it can make what you have stretch further - I have found them extremely useful in the past with tips such as cooking in bulk and freezing meals for another day.

Maybe the "boost your income" board could help you too, given that you have a laptop and wi-fi, maybe you could do some of the survey work or something similar.

I would also recommend applying for job vacancies nearer to home, so that even if you do require a taxi, it will cost you less. Also check with NEXT to see if they can offer you a transfer to a store nearer to home, if applicable.

Sorry I couldn't offer more advice, but I hope this helps and you get things resolved so you can manage easier soon, I was in your situation at 16 myself!

Grief I wish one of my daughters had your work ethic. She left college with 3 A levels one of which was law. then she decided that she had had enough of education and fancied spending the next 12 months having a bit of rest and play. She refused to find a job, and couldn't support herself financially. It was when she was 24 (7 years later) that she started work, I paid the first month rent and deposit on a 2 bed flat. for her - then we down sized meaning there wasn't a bedroom for her if she wanted to come back home.

She's now a solicitor and doing well for herself thank goodness.

sophiedeana

Haha, thank you! I'm just not blessed with such a generous parent

Housing_Benefit_Officer

You should get 25% off your Council Tax due to your age.

You should get help towards your rent on such a low income.

Try the benefits calculator again but put your age as 18 to see if you qualify for help towards your rent.

Indie_Kid

sophiedeana wrote: »

How do I apply for disability allowance? I thought it was for only over 18's? Furthermore, do I need my Doctor's approval?

You can apply for PIP if you're over 16. You don't need your doctor's approval. But it helps when it comes to gathering evidence.

BigAunty

Your budget is very partial and patchy. You may have listed the main expenses but not all. For example, you list your weekly wages but not your weekly rent.

I suggest you download the MSE budget planner, then go through the website to find out where you can be even more thrifty - cheapest broadband, telecom and energy packages, frugal recipes, cheapest groceries and so forth.

That planner will give you a much clearer idea where you small income is vanishing and hopefully find you a few extra quid for food - some meals only cost a £1 or so to make so do unearth the cheap recipes on this forum and other internet sites.

Hopefully your household qualifies for some housing benefit and this might ease your subsistence living.

Does your college have a hardship fund?

specialboy

If you are still in full time education someone could claim cb and possibly cycle for you (that someone could be your partner I think)

alwaysskint96

Your partner should get the single persons discount on council tax as you are too young to count- and a atudent? Can you not het a bus as fara as East mayne sainsburys- less than a 10 min walk away from where i guess you work

Other wise try putting up details of rent bills etc and see where savings can be made