Reducing my savings to below threshold prior to applying for unemployment benefits

ZR

elsien said:

With regards to living on the streets, that will give you health problems, make you more depressed and more likely to turn to self medication in other ways.

My welfare and future are not a priority.

Thanks for the responses everybody but I think we are beyond the scope of this forum now and I shall not be making any further posts.

Emmia

ZR said:

I don't feel great making this post, quite ashamed actually.

A little background info. Last year my wife and I separated and I was made redundant from my job, I have been suffering from serious depression since then. Fortunately I had a decent amount of savings however I am now down to £40K, not seen sight of a job opportunity in eight months and I think it could be a while still and am considering applying for unemployment, something I have never done before.

I support my mother back in South Africa and provide my ex-wife with maintenance payments despite being unemployed (I know I could get out of this, but I couldn't live with myself). If I burn through this final £40K and still not have a job (likely scenario) I will not able to support them, my mother will end up homeless.

I am thinking about sending £12K each to my mother and ex-wife (and telling them that is all they will see from me until I find a job) to bring me down to the £16K threshold. It feels dishonest but this is not money I am going to benefit from, I will never see it again.

What view will the DWP take of this?

Thanks for reading.

Whilst i understand your desire to take care of your mum in south africa, I think you shoud reduce, or stop the payments to your ex wife until you're back on your feet. I know that you probably feel equally responsible to her as your mum, but she's presumably either earning herself, able to work (if she's not in employment) or able to claim benefits herself.

You have every right to claim money (benefits) to which you are entitled to help you back on your feet. You've paid tax - so you've paid in.

In your position I'd get a bar or similar job to help with your confidence (and so some money is coming in + you're getting NI credits). 

Best of luck

ZR

Emmia said:

ZR said:

I don't feel great making this post, quite ashamed actually.

A little background info. Last year my wife and I separated and I was made redundant from my job, I have been suffering from serious depression since then. Fortunately I had a decent amount of savings however I am now down to £40K, not seen sight of a job opportunity in eight months and I think it could be a while still and am considering applying for unemployment, something I have never done before.

I support my mother back in South Africa and provide my ex-wife with maintenance payments despite being unemployed (I know I could get out of this, but I couldn't live with myself). If I burn through this final £40K and still not have a job (likely scenario) I will not able to support them, my mother will end up homeless.

I am thinking about sending £12K each to my mother and ex-wife (and telling them that is all they will see from me until I find a job) to bring me down to the £16K threshold. It feels dishonest but this is not money I am going to benefit from, I will never see it again.

What view will the DWP take of this?

Thanks for reading.

Whilst i understand your desire to take care of your mum in south africa, I think you shoud reduce, or stop the payments to your ex wife until you're back on your feet. I know that you probably feel equally responsible to her as your mum, but she's presumably either earning herself, able to work (if she's not in employment) or able to claim benefits herself.

You have every right to claim money (benefits) to which you are entitled to help you back on your feet. You've paid tax - so you've paid in.

In your position I'd get a bar or similar job to help with your confidence (and so some money is coming in + you're getting NI credits). 

Best of luck

People get turfed out of the state subsidised housing my mother is in for not being able to make payments all the time. Her state pension barely covers her food costs. It's not like here.

My children will survive but I don't want them to just survive.

Bye now. 

Emmia

ZR said:

Emmia said:

ZR said:

I don't feel great making this post, quite ashamed actually.

A little background info. Last year my wife and I separated and I was made redundant from my job, I have been suffering from serious depression since then. Fortunately I had a decent amount of savings however I am now down to £40K, not seen sight of a job opportunity in eight months and I think it could be a while still and am considering applying for unemployment, something I have never done before.

I support my mother back in South Africa and provide my ex-wife with maintenance payments despite being unemployed (I know I could get out of this, but I couldn't live with myself). If I burn through this final £40K and still not have a job (likely scenario) I will not able to support them, my mother will end up homeless.

I am thinking about sending £12K each to my mother and ex-wife (and telling them that is all they will see from me until I find a job) to bring me down to the £16K threshold. It feels dishonest but this is not money I am going to benefit from, I will never see it again.

What view will the DWP take of this?

Thanks for reading.

Whilst i understand your desire to take care of your mum in south africa, I think you shoud reduce, or stop the payments to your ex wife until you're back on your feet. I know that you probably feel equally responsible to her as your mum, but she's presumably either earning herself, able to work (if she's not in employment) or able to claim benefits herself.

You have every right to claim money (benefits) to which you are entitled to help you back on your feet. You've paid tax - so you've paid in.

In your position I'd get a bar or similar job to help with your confidence (and so some money is coming in + you're getting NI credits). 

Best of luck

People get turfed out of the state subsidised housing my mother is in for not being able to make payments all the time. Her state pension barely covers her food costs. It's not like here.

My children will survive but I don't want them to just survive.

Bye now. 

I wasn't suggesting you shouldn't support your mum (she has less ability to get a job presumably) but is your ex wife also in South Africa in similar accommodation?

elsien

ZR said:

elsien said:

With regards to living on the streets, that will give you health problems, make you more depressed and more likely to turn to self medication in other ways.

My welfare and future are not a priority.

Thanks for the responses everybody but I think we are beyond the scope of this forum now and I shall not be making any further posts.

They will be for your children. 

ZR

Interesting timing with me having made this thread after 8 months of barely having an interview but I am starting a job at the end of this month as a baggage handler (not words I ever expected to type in my life). Things are going to be tight but at least no creative accounting will be necessary in order to support my dependents.

Thanks again for all the replies.

marcia_

 Well done, hope you enjoy the new job 

elsien

That’s really good news. Pleased for you. 

Kim1965

Sounds like you have been in a bad place, i hope you make the best of the new job. I am sure it will be a stepping Stone to better employment. I am sure that this work will help with your metal health issues. Good luck. 

Muttleythefrog

Pleased to hear this news..... I was worried and I hope in time you find some way to relieve financial burdens (I won't make any quips about baggage) particularly of ex... and can rebuild a life and perhaps continue to be able to help your mother. Your health is important.... including obviously to others so hopefully this job will give you the break you needed. 

I hadn't really got any advice for you other than what was given at the time.. had you had significantly more in savings I would have been looking at the possibility of buying home as this would have removed the capital and perhaps not been considered deprivation.