I am a single mum to 3 children and I work in a zero hours contract.
I need to work part time for childcare and work around 18-20 hours a week average. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
For 2 years I have been sending my payslips every 5 week so that the housing benefit department can make an average and will adjust my claim accordingly.
Recently if I earn more one week it will trigger them to stop my claim and make a new one based on that one weeks earning ( the higher one) and when I work less I will have to chase them to make an average entitlement.
I am in temporary accommodation and have been bidding for 5 years. For some reason even though I am housed in a bad area the rent is sky high at £306 a week. So I rely on the HB top up alot as with other bills its a struggle.
I want to be out of the system and free from benefits and housing but its all I know. There is a fear of trying to better myself as in the beginning the claw back is anxiety inducing. It feels like a punishment if you try to better yourself.
I also feel like I'm trapped here and I dont even know if I'm going to be housed or if I'm wasting my children's childhoods waiting and waiting for permanent housing. I was in private before for 7 years but got evicted when the landlord wanted to sell.
I dont know which direction to take.