I separated from my husband about 1.5 years ago and though I'd never claimed benefits before started claiming to help me along. I got myself onto a course, started volunteering and got a job about 4 months ago which I enjoy. I am paid peanuts but I want to work. When I claimed first time I got everything - child tax credit, housing and IS. I had about 880 disposable income with my three young children.
Now my childcare costs average about 800 - 900 and i get 1200 in CTC, but the council are putting up a huge fight to help with my council tax or rent. I've not had any help with rent for 4 months and have a £300 council tax bill to pay this week. I told them straight away i had started work in trying to do the right thing. First, they kept telling me I had to apply for UC (hmrc said I did not), then they keep writing back for me to provide documents. Just today, they want my payslips and childcare invoices for February. I haven't even had these yet!!
I then have 2 weeks to get it all together when I spent ages about 2 weeks ago getting bank statements, payslips ect off for them. I'm so frustrated, I feel like leaving work.
Effectively I'm now living off £510 a month when before I had £881 disposable income and now I'm paying out for petrol and car to get to work (no other transport means) breakfast clubs, meals ect. I don't know how i can carry on. :(
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5 replies
MyMorningHasBroken · 25/02/2017 11:25
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