Single person, single wage

chimpysmith

Can I ask all your advice please?
Have I missed anything?
The news, and TV programmes mention different groups that can claim or get help, single parent families, married couples etc

Can I ask is there any help at all for single people living alone? Have I missed anything? 

Approximately 30% of the population lives alone and it's rising but I never seem to hear this group included or mentioned whatsoever.
I know there's a 1/4 off council tax (?) 

I'm a factory worker full time, minimum wage, my mortgage isn't paid off till age 72. I have no more room to tighten things any more and I feel I'm slowly sinking and to be honest, I feel like I'm forgotten. 

I'm not able to claim universal credit. If anyone knows of any help that I've missed I'd be more than grateful. thankyou.

Muttleythefrog

Yeah single person discount on Council Tax. Try one of the benefit calculators like Entitled To but it doesn't sound like anything is relevant if UC is out of reach as it seemed to be from previous thread.

Perhaps look at money saving... things like community larders... although working full time might limit options as many cost cutting of expenses can often rely on having plenty time including in daytime. Try to get good deals on household bills. It already sounds like you have a lengthy mortgage so probably can't easily reduce that expenditure.

Some might cheekily say in being single you miss out on a lot of trouble..lol. But yes living alone can be more costly than sharing a home... thought about lodgers?

poppy12345

See other thread here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6575010/can-i-ask-your-opinion-on-this-outcome-please#latest

As UC has replaced all means tested benefits apart from council tax reduction there would be no other benefits you could claim based on your circumstances.

elsien

There is always the possibility of getting a lodger if money is that tight.
Something I would hate, because I value my space and privacy but it works for a colleague.

I know what you mean, though. I get fed up of hearing politicians  banging on about hard-working families when I’m an equally hard-working single person and it is more expensive than two people sharing costs. 

chimpysmith

elsien said:

There is always the possibility of getting a lodger if money is that tight.
Something I would hate, because I value my space and privacy but it works for a colleague.

I know what you mean, though. I get fed up of hearing politicians  banging on about hard-working families when I’m an equally hard-working single person and it is more expensive than two people sharing costs. 

Thank you all for replying. I'm a whizz at budgeting, squeezing a meal out of nothing etc etc. 
I think that's why I'm asking really as I have no more room to squeeze an extra penny from somewhere. 
Unfortunately I have nowhere for a lodger to live.
I think I'm at the point now they no matter what I do I'm not earning enough to actually live or exist. 
Elsien I agree I always feel that single people are always forgotten and never mentioned.
Id vote for a political party in a heartbeat if they included us. 

You know what's mad and frustrating too, we've had lots of options in my workplace to take unpaid days off lately as it's been quieter than normal. In the whole of 2024 I was the only full-time worker. 3/4 of work force claims Universal Credit so they take as much time as possible off. 

KxMx

Try being a single disable person unable to work. 
We are absolutely the bottom of the heap, especially in the current climate. 

chimpysmith

KxMx said:

Try being a single disable person unable to work. 
We are absolutely the bottom of the heap, especially in the current climate. 

That truly is heartbreaking. I honestly wish I could get hold of this country and give it a good shake. You shouldn't and I shouldn't have to write posts like this.

Muttleythefrog

chimpysmith said:

elsien said:

There is always the possibility of getting a lodger if money is that tight.
Something I would hate, because I value my space and privacy but it works for a colleague.

I know what you mean, though. I get fed up of hearing politicians  banging on about hard-working families when I’m an equally hard-working single person and it is more expensive than two people sharing costs. 

Thank you all for replying. I'm a whizz at budgeting, squeezing a meal out of nothing etc etc. 
I think that's why I'm asking really as I have no more room to squeeze an extra penny from somewhere. 
Unfortunately I have nowhere for a lodger to live.
I think I'm at the point now they no matter what I do I'm not earning enough to actually live or exist. 
Elsien I agree I always feel that single people are always forgotten and never mentioned.
Id vote for a political party in a heartbeat if they included us. 

You know what's mad and frustrating too, we've had lots of options in my workplace to take unpaid days off lately as it's been quieter than normal. In the whole of 2024 I was the only full-time worker. 3/4 of work force claims Universal Credit so they take as much time as possible off. 

Sounds like unfortunately... given you do sound on the ball with day to day costs... property costs are weighing you down. I presume you're happy where you are and plan to stick out mortgage... but I'm also conscious property costs for things like heating can vary enormously.

chimpysmith

Muttleythefrog said:

chimpysmith said:

elsien said:

There is always the possibility of getting a lodger if money is that tight.
Something I would hate, because I value my space and privacy but it works for a colleague.

I know what you mean, though. I get fed up of hearing politicians  banging on about hard-working families when I’m an equally hard-working single person and it is more expensive than two people sharing costs. 

Thank you all for replying. I'm a whizz at budgeting, squeezing a meal out of nothing etc etc. 
I think that's why I'm asking really as I have no more room to squeeze an extra penny from somewhere. 
Unfortunately I have nowhere for a lodger to live.
I think I'm at the point now they no matter what I do I'm not earning enough to actually live or exist. 
Elsien I agree I always feel that single people are always forgotten and never mentioned.
Id vote for a political party in a heartbeat if they included us. 

You know what's mad and frustrating too, we've had lots of options in my workplace to take unpaid days off lately as it's been quieter than normal. In the whole of 2024 I was the only full-time worker. 3/4 of work force claims Universal Credit so they take as much time as possible off. 

Sounds like unfortunately... given you do sound on the ball with day to day costs... property costs are weighing you down. I presume you're happy where you are and plan to stick out mortgage... but I'm also conscious property costs for things like heating can vary enormously.

I actually looked Into selling my house and trying to find something  else. I looked at this option for quite a few months but I wouldn't particularly be any better off. 
I've just cancelled my mobile contract so that's a teensy bit more in the bank but there's not much more I can do I think.