Tough interview :/

Clouds88

So I!!!8217;ve just had my telephone interview. The guy was nice but I felt it was very in depth. He told me my groceries was too high and changed this to £450 and that my clothing per month was too high for 4 of us and changed it to £60 (school uniform costs £100 at least a year!).

He did bump a few categories up though and I!!!8217;ve not ended up with an IPA thankfully. But I!!!8217;ve got to send 6 months bank statements and some other bits. He did say my car was worth more than I said but I argued this based on my Parker!!!8217;s guide valuation and he said send him a screen shot and he!!!8217;ll be happy with this.

Just an insight which might be helpful to others.

Helen14

Dear Clouds88,

It really seems to depend on the person. I had my interview on Wednesday. And I got really surprised, that i was allowed 405 for groceries + 40 for toiletries + 25 meals at work.
Also I asked for 70 for clothing, but the lady said it was not allowed, but she could do 50. Child afterschool activities - 60 (swimming + gymnastics)... No questions asked there... 90 for afterschool club. 30 for holidays.
And that's just for myself and 5 year old child :j
The only expense listed that I was not allowed was contribution to Child ISA.
Ended up with IPA, but just for 90 pounds. I was expecting a lot more, to be honest. My income with child benefit is just over 2100 a month. Rent is 750.

Helen14

School uniform I had separately at 10 per month.
Also Hobbies 30 per month, Gifts 20, Hairdressing 50 per quarter.

The_Real_Cheddar_Bob

Helen14 wrote: »

Dear Clouds88,

It really seems to depend on the person. I had my interview on Wednesday. And I got really surprised, that i was allowed 405 for groceries + 40 for toiletries + 25 meals at work.
Also I asked for 70 for clothing, but the lady said it was not allowed, but she could do 50. Child afterschool activities - 60 (swimming + gymnastics)... No questions asked there... 90 for afterschool club. 30 for holidays.
And that's just for myself and 5 year old child :j
The only expense listed that I was not allowed was contribution to Child ISA.
Ended up with IPA, but just for 90 pounds. I was expecting a lot more, to be honest. My income with child benefit is just over 2100 a month. Rent is 750.

I apologise as this will now look like i'm picking on you, but I am amazed that child benefit would be offered to someone that appears to be earning a full time wage. With benefits this puts your salary at roughly £32,000 a year....... gobsmacked.

Helen14

Child benefit is offered almost to everyone.
It is not Tax credits :-) do not qualify for those.

Clouds88

Just to add to the above comment: Someone with a combined income of £80,000 a year will still qualify for child benefit its only the highest earners who don’t get that.

Ahh he said it was coming up too high for his computer reading! So who knows how you were allowed it that high, never mind good for you I would have liked a bit of a leeway with groceries Just incase we are invited to a meal out or want to take the kids to MD lol.

Although I realise I’m not in the position to live a luxury lifestyle I just hope it all goes well this year. I asked if I could do one over time shift to pay for my car mot and service as it’s due in 2 months and although budgeted for in SOA I haven’t actually got that money for it and I think he said yes?! Was a bit vague, said check with him if over £50 so I think I’ll do it and Send he receipts when it’s done and see what they say then.

The_Real_Cheddar_Bob

Helen14 wrote: »

Child benefit is offered almost to everyone.
It is not Tax credits :-) do not qualify for those.

Wow. Things I didn't know.

debt_doctor

Clouds88 wrote: »

So I!!!8217;ve just had my telephone interview. The guy was nice but I felt it was very in depth. He told me my groceries was too high and changed this to £450 and that my clothing per month was too high for 4 of us and changed it to £60 (school uniform costs £100 at least a year!).

He did bump a few categories up though and I!!!8217;ve not ended up with an IPA thankfully. But I!!!8217;ve got to send 6 months bank statements and some other bits. He did say my car was worth more than I said but I argued this based on my Parker!!!8217;s guide valuation and he said send him a screen shot and he!!!8217;ll be happy with this.

Just an insight which might be helpful to others.

Hi, Glad you did not get an IPA. If you ever have it suggested (perhaps by an increase in income) that an IPA may become payable on those housekeeping and clothing costs please PM me.

Thanks,
DD

joa1210

can i just ask what you had your groceries at please clouds?

Clouds88

Just over £500. My husband eats a lot and so do my two girls, I eat more vegan stuff so my pat milk is more expensive plus that includes school lunches that are home made.

debt_doctor

Clouds88 wrote: »

Just over £500. My husband eats a lot and so do my two girls, I eat more vegan stuff so my pat milk is more expensive plus that includes school lunches that are home made.

Perfectly reasonable (and more)
DD