Stuggling to cope!

retrac0980

£220 is deducted from my top line leaving me £1400 take home. I then pay direct pay £285 for my other children. my partner cant contribute to any bills as she was informed by jobcentre that she wouldn't receive any money due to my earnings. she is basically signing on for nothing. we are not entitled to any benefits that I am aware off.

chelseablue

In your child related expenses you've got £500.


If £285 is for your other children what is the other £215 for?

Pixie5740

You don't need a car just because your girlfriend is pregnant. Plenty of people, pregnant and otherwise, survive without one and you can't afford to run a car at the moment.

How long to go until the child is born? Have you checked to see what your household will be entitled to then?

https://www.turn2us.org.uk

enthusiasticsaver

You have double counted the child maintenance if you receive £1400 after the £220 deducted. You should therefore only have £285 showing in child expenses meaning your soa balances. It is tight but unfortunately if you have a lot of children to support it will be. The car insurance, mobiles cost and internet is all higher than average.

retrac0980

£215 is attachment of earnings for my youngest.
£285 is for my 2 eldest which is paid directly to my ex partener.
sorry for not making my self clear. 3 children 2 separate child maintenance cases.

enthusiasticsaver

Perhaps we are being unclear. If your wage is £1400 AFTER the £215 attachment is taken then you should only have £285 in the child expenses category on the soa. Otherwise you are counting the £215 twice.

enthusiasticsaver

So to clarify. You receive £1400 wages. The £215 has already been deducted so presumably you would receive £1615 if you did not have the attachment of earnings?

Out of the £1400 you pay

Council tax £90
Rent £433
CSA £285
Car Insurance £140
Utilities £197

This makes £1145 leaving £355 to cover car costs and food. Tight but doable especially if you cut the mobile costs. Better really to ditch the car as either you are a young driver and in a rough area or you have points on your licence or recent claims. It is perfectly possible to be pregnant and not have a car. Lots of us have done so especially if in a city area. I am surprised your girlfriend qualifies for nothing. How many weeks pregnant is she and will she get statutory maternity pay?

enthusiasticsaver

The groceries bill can be got lower for 2 people. Even without a car you could do the food shop online every 2 weeks say and get one of the free delivery slots. A walk or bus ride to the nearest Lidl or Aldi for milk, bread and fresh fruit and veg in between. Does your girlfriend batch cook?