Benefits with a high household income

SnowRaven

I lost my job October 2019 and since then have been claiming contribution based JSA which is coming to an end 6th March. I have managed to get myself a job however this does not start until 21st March. Once my JSA comes to an end I was wondering if there is any other benefits in which I can claim to keep my personal bills under control until I begin work again and start earning a wage, as I do not want to fall behind with my bills and even at the moment I am having to rely on the help from my parents each month with money which I feel awful about to cover my food and bills. 

I did a quick search online with eligibility tools however as I live with my partner and he earns a good wage it was stating I am not entitled to anything as my household income is too high. Even with his wage which over the past few months has all been going on the mortgage, household bills and his personal bills he has gotten himself into his overdraft each month and even though it is a good wage we are still unfortunately struggling. Any advice on anything I may of missed or is out there then that would be a huge help.

[Deleted User]

SnowRaven said:

I lost my job October 2019 and since then have been claiming contribution based JSA which is coming to an end 6th March. I have managed to get myself a job however this does not start until 21st March. Once my JSA comes to an end I was wondering if there is any other benefits in which I can claim to keep my personal bills under control until I begin work again and start earning a wage, as I do not want to fall behind with my bills and even at the moment I am having to rely on the help from my parents each month with money which I feel awful about to cover my food and bills. 

I did a quick search online with eligibility tools however as I live with my partner and he earns a good wage it was stating I am not entitled to anything as my household income is too high. Even with his wage which over the past few months has all been going on the mortgage, household bills and his personal bills he has gotten himself into his overdraft each month and even though it is a good wage we are still unfortunately struggling. Any advice on anything I may of missed or is out there then that would be a huge help.

 No you've missed nothing. Benefits are based on household income so if he earns well you probably won't be entitled to anything. You could use a benefits checker to see if you would be entitled to some universal credit but it doesn't sound like it. 

 Maybe get a 0% credit card to see you through to your first pay 

SnowRaven

_shel said:

SnowRaven said:

I lost my job October 2019 and since then have been claiming contribution based JSA which is coming to an end 6th March. I have managed to get myself a job however this does not start until 21st March. Once my JSA comes to an end I was wondering if there is any other benefits in which I can claim to keep my personal bills under control until I begin work again and start earning a wage, as I do not want to fall behind with my bills and even at the moment I am having to rely on the help from my parents each month with money which I feel awful about to cover my food and bills. 

I did a quick search online with eligibility tools however as I live with my partner and he earns a good wage it was stating I am not entitled to anything as my household income is too high. Even with his wage which over the past few months has all been going on the mortgage, household bills and his personal bills he has gotten himself into his overdraft each month and even though it is a good wage we are still unfortunately struggling. Any advice on anything I may of missed or is out there then that would be a huge help.

 No you've missed nothing. Benefits are based on household income so if he earns well you probably won't be entitled to anything. You could use a benefits checker to see if you would be entitled to some universal credit but it doesn't sound like it. 

 Maybe get a 0% credit card to see you through to your first pay 

Thanks, knew this would be the case. I don't really fancy getting another credit card. I already owe £3,500 on a card and do not really want to put anymore on it or get another as I want to get this one paid off. I am sure my parents will help me out a little more, I just feel terrible taking money. Plus I have 2 weeks more of JSA so I should be ok, once I start working I will get paid every two weeks so that will help a lot.

Alice_Holt

If you feel terrible accepting money from your parents, have £3,500 on a credit card, and your partner is into his overdraft you may both want to look at the Debt board to get some budgeting tips.
I'd start by checking if mortgage, utility, water, & food bills can be reduced. 

When earning ideally it's a good idea to build up an emergency fund. If you can't manage this, then it could be worth joining a credit union - at least that way you may be able to get access to short term credit at a reasonable rate.

I would suggest keeping a money diary - write down everything you spend (or use a fintech app to do this). I've done this in the past, and it works well - it certainty makes you much more aware of spending patterns. 
Try to build up human capital - are there any additional professional qualifications you can both acquire which increases your value in the job market and will lead to better paid jobs?

As you have discovered (£73 pw), benefits are minimal. Can you and your partner try to build up some financial resilience, when you are both working, as the benefit system is now a very threadbare safety net and not to be relied on.
At the very least an emergency fund to cover 3 months of mortgage and essential payments.
Benefits with a mortgage is difficult - "There is a 39-week waiting period from the time you claim Support for Mortgage Interest (btw it's a loan secured on your property) until your first payment is made. If you do any paid work during these 39 weeks, your waiting period will stop - and you can start it again the next time you are out of work."
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/support-for-mortgage-interest