AIBU to think 'cheers for leaving me up shit creek, society'?

[ahfuckHelpme]

I've lost my job and used this username to ask for extreme budgeting advice (which I got, nothing but love for MN for that :D )
I have no kids, was TTC (hence using this site) of course this has now stopped.
Myself and DH are under 25.
I have had job breaks in the last 2yrs, where I lost my job and had to find a new one. In total I've spent a few months unemployed in the last few years. I always do my best to find a job quickly but its not always easy.
Anyhow.
I tried to claim JSA, My initial claim was refused (for income based JSA) with no reason given. So I tried to claim the other type (Think its called contributions based) And was told I hadn't worked enough, fair enough. so I demanded an answer to why I couldn't claim JSA (income based) was told its because my partner earns over 16k a year, barely mind, but does. He's on 15.6k (Per year) after taxes and NI. he's paid 4 weekly and gets 1.2k per pay. however before deductions is on about 17k.
AIBU to think this is fucking shit? Our finances are so badly at breaking point we've had to apply for a debt relief order (referred to as mini bankruptcy) work is hard to come by. as of today there are 4 jobs within a 10 mile radius I can apply for and some of those have over 100 applicants(of course I've still applied but I'm prepared to be unemployed for a few months minimum) yet we can't even claim JSA for me.
PS. I'm also annoyed I was told to apply for income support, which I am not eligible for (not a carer/disabled/in education/no kids) but I applied for it anyway and today was told I'm not eligible for that either!
can't get housing benefit, still waiting to find out about council tax reduction but unlikely, can't get JSA, can't get income support. I'm sorting this the best I can (Advice isn't what I'm looking for as such but is definitely welcome!) I'm just ranting really.
In what world is it ok to leave people this badly up shit creek? I campaigned against lots of welfare 'reforms' (read: cuts) and will contnue to do so but even I didn't realize it would be this bad :(

[ahfuckHelpme]

By the way I'm not annoyed as such that I'm not eligible for IS. Just annoyed that I was rejected for JSA (income based) initially I received a hand written note saying to apply for IS with an info slip on income support. went down to the job centre to complain and was fobbed off with ''well the system says you can apply for income support'' and wasn't bloody eligible anyway.
Feels like they want me to run around in circles cap in hand. Its that that annoys me most.

[throwingpebbles]

Huge sympathies, it's rubbish, but don't admit defeat yet!!

Is there any reason why you are only applying for jobs within a 10 mile radius? If you widen it up your options may increase enormously

[ahfuckHelpme]

I can't afford to travel out further for interviews, rubbish public trans means it'd also make it harder to get to shifts etc.
I don't drive, you see.

[throwingpebbles]

Also, is there work you can do to keep things ticking over while you are applying? Babysitting/dog walking /cleaning/ironing / house sitting etc?

I was out of work for a while at a similar age to you, after a period of illness, so I do sympathise. (DP was on a similar salary too). But i cobbled together all kinds of random bits of work until I found another permanent job.

[throwingpebbles]

Ah, I didn't drive either, it's tough.

[ahfuckHelpme]

I have 0 references for any of that stuff, wouldn't want to do babysitting as I feel I'm too old to be doing it with 0 qualifications 0 references 0 insurance etc. I did post a few ads online but the only responses I've had ask if I have references/insurance/Insert requirement here. I respond no and then no response or they say sorry I'd like someone with x y and z, I live in a uni town so no shortage of baby sitters here that are semi way through childcare/teaching related qualifications.
Anyhow. rambling on. I do some dog walking. I get about £10-20 a week from this. sorry, failed to mention this above. I also get about £20 a month from a survey site, I do one survey a day (more if I fancy melting my brain- I hate surveys) and then cash out at the end of month.

[MachiKoro]

Are you in London?
How can two people not live on £15.6k p.a.? Genuine question, as there have been many points in my life where we have lived on less than half of that.

[MachiKoro]

Do you rent or have a mortgage? Could you go onto interest only if latter?

[ilovesooty]

I'm not sure how long a 10 mile radius takes to travel on public transport where you are but if you're in receipt of jsa it's usually expected that you'll be available for jobs within a 90 minute each way commute.

[throwingpebbles]

well why not try building up the dog walking? Take on another dog or two?

Do you have any skills like crafts etc which you could turn into a little business?

[fiorentina]

Will you get any free training as you're not working? Can you spend the time improving your skills, IT or otherwise? There are some great free online training courses? FutureLearn.com is good for business skills.

At times where you aren't earning I'm not sure why you wouldn't babysit etc if it's cash to help?

[throwingpebbles]

Yeah, I do a 90 minute commute each way (including nursery and school drop offs) and it is grim but doable

[throwingpebbles]

Just googled future learn - looks good:
www.futurelearn.com/courses/upcoming

[ahfuckHelpme]

income vs expenditure.
Its very easy to say that Machi.
No, we don't have a mortgage, so interest only isn't an option. Not in london either (thankfully)
our expenditure on rent, bills (water gas council tax) comes to just over £700 which was a hard enough cut to make and we're doing our best. but its very bloody tight, especially when DH needs public transport to get to work. (200pcm). that leaves us very little for phone bills (contract so can't be negotiated), Food, cleaning stuff, DIY stuff (need about £15-20 a month on bits and bobs to keep this death trap house going)...
See the dilemma?

[ahfuckHelpme]

I'm advertising as much as possible for dog walking. doesn't seem to be much demand, But, I do my best.
I'm not in receipt of JSA, and if you are you get discounted train journeys and JSA refund your travel money for interviews.
I don't have that luxury I'm afraid.

[BIWI]

What are you qualified to do? And what previous work experience do you have?

[ilovesooty]

I said if you were in receipt of JSA you might have to look beyond a ten mile radius

People don't get those travel concessions on JSA where I am.

[VeryPunny]

Can you get hold of a bicycle? Easy way to slash travel costs. Healthy adults should easily be able to do 8/10 miles to work, and it will be much quicker than public transport.

[KissMyArse]

Not sure exactly how much your partner earns ("over £16k) but based on his earnings being £16,500 you would qualify for a small amount of Working Tax Credits.

Mind you, I didn't enter your 'unofficial' earnings via dog walking and surveys.

I think if you get WTC you may qualify for Housing Benefit.

Working Tax Credit

You could get

£49.91 every four weeks
towards your household costs

How you qualify
This is based on your household income of £16,500

www.tax.service.gov.uk/tax-credits-calculator

[annandale]

Any skills you can barter with someone for driving lessons?
I know someone who used to do phone based market research work?
Tell everyone you know that you are looking for anything, a day's filing, cover carer even for an hour or two, whatever?

I would widen your job search and hope to God you can get a lift share to get there.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

ahfuck, I read your other thread and have nothing useful to add to this thread but it really does sound very difficult. I thought fiorentina made a good point a bit earlier about whether you could get training funded as you're not working?

I would happily send you a tenner, it's spare, just pm me.

[KissMyArse]

Ah, ignore my last post - I thought you said you were both over 25

That might affect the calculation

[SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses]

I feel your pain. I've recently lost my job and although I qualify for jsa, my income v expenditure is about £450 different, my house needs serious urgent structural work, single parent, and jobs aren't exactly forthcoming round here.
It's horrible going to the jobcentre, they appear to cater to the lowest common denominator and I nearly got sanctioned for going to a job interview. I had rung them beforehand.
I've seen grown men pleading and apologising for being late to an appointment. It's depressing and degrading.
I've no answers but you're not on your own.
Hope you get work soon.

[Just5minswithDacre]

I remember. You're in South Wales aren't you?

Horrible jobs market for you to contend with there. Sorry you're having a shitty time

[GloGirl]

Id go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and double check you're getting every benefit you're entitled to.

Perhaps you can appeal or something?