Entitled to benefits??

top_drawer_2

hi,

Do you have any idea of the boundries in terms of entitlement? I earn 6.44 for 25 hours of work, I pay £75 a week rent (all bills included etc).

Jen

msmicawber

You'll need to look at the details on the Council's web site, Jen, or use https://www.entitledto.com. Are you paying tax on your £161 per week wages or do you receive all of it?

It may be that you just need to budget better. It's only for a few months, then you'll be available for full-time work. You'll also have a degree, so should be able to get a better paid job.

bestpud

Jen_L wrote: »

hi,

I have only recently accepted a job at littlewoods call centre, the hours im on now are currently at 25. I don't know if I would be able to cut down that far and I have had much luck applying for pub jobs recently - I think my age goes against me now plus that everyone and his dog is applying for these jobs...

Jen

You'd have to working 30 hours or more if you have no dependents and do not have a registered disability. Plus you'd have to be over 25 years old.

How often do you need to see tutors? Can you communicate with them by email instead? Even if you don't work more hours, it may reduce your stress levels if you aren't trying to arrange appts all the time.

The other thing I thought about is the student counsellors. They may be able to help you with planning revision and exam stress. Plus, they will liase with tutors if need be.

Definitely try claiming council tax and housing benefit - you have nothing to lose by trying!

Overall though, please remember it is only a few more months and you'll be finished. It can be hard to look forward when you are depressed, I know, but really, it isn't that far away. You will be half way there by the end of next month.

dmg24

If you are under 25, LHA for Preston is £50 per week (correct me if you're in a different area!).

If you are 25 or over, LHA for Preston is £80 per week.

If you are under 25, you are not entitled to any help. If you are 25 or over, you should get approx £20 a week LHA plus some CTB.

top_drawer_2

hi,

I am 25, I havent had my first weeks/months wage yet as I only started training on Monday. I live in Preston now. I am hoping to reduce my hours asap as as well as tutors the sheer amount of work to do is beyond me....

Jen

bestpud

You can do it though!

If you were still a student, you'd have lectures etc to fit in, so think of working as the equivalent - I do know it's not quite the same!

I guess I'm saying it is better to be positive, if you can, as negativity will hold you back.

At the moment you seem to be telling yourself you can't do it, when you can, with organisation. Try and work around your depression rather than fight it.

top_drawer_2

hi,

I dont feel confident at all at the moment ...

I have my diss due in two weeks ... and I am still working on it ...

I have 2/3 exams on the 12th and 16th of May, the third I am asking to defer until I take the other two in August...

I am due at work every week night 5-9pm for the next 3 weeks and then its supposed to go to 5-10pm.

I have been up since 8 am and working on the diss since 9am and I dont feel I have achieved a great deal. I have to sort out a b.present for my Step-dad and another for my BIL for next week as I have just remembered their B.days are soon....

I just dont seem to have any time at all to do anything...

Jen

msmicawber

You'll be fine - just work out a routine and stick to it. If you allow yourself regular breaks that will help with the tiredness and, I suspect, concentration problem. Try and take some exercise every day as that's good for depression busting.

As for the birthdays - why don't you shop for their presents on your way to work today? Or, if you feel yourself flagging with your studies, take an hour off to have a walk and browse a few shops at the same time for the presents.

bestpud

I think I'd be tempted to buy gifts online or give them a a card with an I.O.U.

I'm sure they'll understand and if they don't - well, tough really!

Make yourself a timetable and plan regular breaks. As said, go for a brisk walk in between, even if you don't feel like it - it really does help although I know it's likely the last thing you want to do! Eat well too!

You have every week day, and all weekend, so if you do two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, you can have a good lunch break and two short breaks in the afternoon. Give yourself a treat when you get so many words done.

By the time your hours increase, you'll have your dissertation out of the way. Do you need to get a certain grade in it, or simply a pass?

Same with your exams, can you be pragmatic about it and concentrate on one or two, while just passing the others? Not ideal but if it helps you get them done...

Have you considered contacting a student counsellor at all? And maybe communicating with tutors by email? You shouldn't need to be going in that often, surely? Or am I misreading your posts?

Stick with it and you will get there.

What course are you doing (just cos I'm nosey )?

top_drawer_2

hi,

There are a lot of replies so will tackle them in order ...

I am not entitled to receive anything from student loans or the hardhsip fund due to my status.

I am struggling hugely and it seems that I was being fobbed off last week when the trainer said I would have to wait until this week and then I would be able to do something about the hours. I asked yesterday for a alteration of hours or for some (unpaid) hols as and they said it was unlikely I would be able to have either now, nor reduce hours anytime (I would want to work more once these are over and then decrease again back to a minimum in Aug).

I feel like they are saying that I have to choose; the job or to concentrate on exams. If I give up the job I am not sure if I would lose my chance at HB and also worried I would struggle to get another job after they are done.

I feel so ill with everything that im seriously thinking of just calling in sick - i can provide a Dr's note and if they sack me its their loss but least i will have chance to do exams and then be covered for money till I get another job. I have never played the system but I feel like I have done my best in every corner and I am all maxed out now. I am desperate to do well in the exams and my project as I really have worked so hard and been knocked back so many times (rotten tutor, wrong info, bad info on my registering for this year etc).

Jen