Cost of living payment and low income

madpeg

Hi all,
I am classed as a low earner (under the £19,500 threshold) not claiming benefits because I earn too much (work that out!) so can't prove my low earnings and own my house through divorce. Is it because I own my house that I can't get benefits or help? I still need to work to pay the bills, etc but with winter coming and utilities expected to rise extortionaly I won't get help. How can I prove I'm a low earner?

calcotti

You will get a £400 credit on your electricity bill.

If you were renting you would get help with the rent but there would probably be a shortfall.

As a single person with no housing costs and assuming no children you cannot get Universal Credit unless you earn less than £609/month (assuming you are 35 or over) and clearly you earn more than that.

I don't know what you mean by the £19,500 threshold.

sheramber

so can't prove my low earnings 

Do you not have payslips?

calcotti

sheramber said:

so can't prove my low earnings 

Do you not have payslips?

Evidence appears irrelevant. Income is, based on the limited information provided, too high to qualify for UC.

madpeg

calcotti

Thanks for replying.  I am single and over 50 and earn just under £370 a week before tax and NI . I have a young adult son still living with who isn't working or isn't in education.
I read on the internet that the low income threshold is £19,500. Maybe I'm wrong. I've tried asking for Universal Credit but not got anywhere with that. Yes, I have payslips but UC people aren't interested. Just wondering where else I could go to try to prove my low income. 

molerat

That amount is purely a figure thrown about based on a percentage of the average income.  It is meaningless as far as benefit calculations are concerned.

You need to check here to see if you would be entitled to anything https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

I have a young adult son still living with who isn't working or isn't in education

Why ?

Spoonie_Turtle

madpeg said:

calcotti

Thanks for replying.  I am single and over 50 and earn just under £370 a week before tax and NI . I have a young adult son still living with who isn't working or isn't in education.
I read on the internet that the low income threshold is £19,500. Maybe I'm wrong. I've tried asking for Universal Credit but not got anywhere with that. Yes, I have payslips but UC people aren't interested. Just wondering where else I could go to try to prove my low income. 

That £19,500 threshold would only be relevant to the organisation that set it.  It has nothing to do with means-tested benefits as far as I'm aware.  How much you can earn whilst still being entitled to Universal Credit depends entirely on your own circumstances.

Maybe your son needs to apply for Universal Credit himself.  He would have to look for work unless he has a health condition that prevents him from doing so.

For the Cost of Living payments, low income is solely determined by entitlement to the listed means-tested benefits, nothing else.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Edit: possible other sources of assistance if you are struggling to pay for essentials are the Household Support Fund through your local council, and your energy company if you are struggling to pay.

poppy12345

madpeg said:

calcotti

Thanks for replying.  I am single and over 50 and earn just under £370 a week before tax and NI . I have a young adult son still living with who isn't working or isn't in education.
I read on the internet that the low income threshold is £19,500. Maybe I'm wrong. I've tried asking for Universal Credit but not got anywhere with that. Yes, I have payslips but UC people aren't interested. Just wondering where else I could go to try to prove my low income. 

As previously advised you will not be entitled to UC based on your earnings/circumstances. UC is a means tested benefit and your earnings are simply over the threashold for your circumstances.

If your son isn't working then he can claim UC is his own right, your earnings will have no bearing on his entitlement. If he's under 25 then he'll be entitled to £265.31/month. If over 25 then £334.91/month. As he's living at home with you he will not be entitled to any help with the rent.

NedS

poppy12345 said:

madpeg said:

calcotti

Thanks for replying.  I am single and over 50 and earn just under £370 a week before tax and NI . I have a young adult son still living with who isn't working or isn't in education.
I read on the internet that the low income threshold is £19,500. Maybe I'm wrong. I've tried asking for Universal Credit but not got anywhere with that. Yes, I have payslips but UC people aren't interested. Just wondering where else I could go to try to prove my low income. 

As previously advised you will not be entitled to UC based on your earnings/circumstances. UC is a means tested benefit and your earnings are simply over the threashold for your circumstances.

Which is actually good news, because if you were not working and earnings £19,500 you'd be significantly worse off having to live on the standard UC allowance of £334.91/month (£4018.92 a year). But you would then qualify for the £650 cost of living payment, still making you massively worse off. You see?

Spoonie_Turtle

NedS said:

poppy12345 said:

madpeg said:

calcotti

Thanks for replying.  I am single and over 50 and earn just under £370 a week before tax and NI . I have a young adult son still living with who isn't working or isn't in education.
I read on the internet that the low income threshold is £19,500. Maybe I'm wrong. I've tried asking for Universal Credit but not got anywhere with that. Yes, I have payslips but UC people aren't interested. Just wondering where else I could go to try to prove my low income. 

As previously advised you will not be entitled to UC based on your earnings/circumstances. UC is a means tested benefit and your earnings are simply over the threashold for your circumstances.

Which is actually good news, because if you were not working and earnings £19,500 you'd be significantly worse off having to live on the standard UC allowance of £334.91/month (£4018.92 a year). But you would then qualify for the £650 cost of living payment, still making you massively worse off. You see?

Well … technically they could work and earn up to £608.91/month (£7306.92/yr) with entitlement to about a penny of UC per month.  So a total income of £7307.04 plus the one-off £650.

Still massively worse off, wouldn't get help with any health costs as earning over the £435 threshold, but *might* get a slight reduction on council tax - maybe.  Definitely massively worse off overall!