To think THIS is the sort of thing that keeps people poor?

[ScramVonChubby]

We're temporarily poor: I am a carer and my DH lost his job recently, he is self employed but in that stage where he makes a profit but not a huge one yet. He is also training full time and I am part time so it IS temporary but it takes time and we juggle it around the children as everyone does- childcare is inaccessible to us at this time due to disability.

Having almost qualified I decided I would try and set up a small concern to get some experience to put on application forms (applying for social work or teacher training when DH finishes his training) and also to help boost my own self esteem and feel like a contributor.

At the moment I have enough clients to cover my expenses entirely but no more; website, etc. That's not unusual for a small business I know.

So I registered with IR, and told HB as we get a small % of our rent covered. And HB immediately cancelled the HB and placed us 'under investigation'. If we cannot sort it out and I cannot get a profit very quickly indeed I will have to close the business as keeping a roof securely over the children?s heads has to be a priority.

Surely the people they should investigate are those not declaring every small change of status? And that people trying to find a new route should be encouraged to do that, not just because of state resources but because our children still see us working and trying? DH typically puts in a 16 hour day with study and work, and as a carer, student and doing even a tiny amount of self employed work I do feel I am making an effort also.

I hate getting HB; but it's better for everyone that we get HB for a few years and then come off it entirely, rather than default on the rent and end up in state accommodation for ever, no?

Or maybe redundancy was really the end for us and we should give up: so many messages being given out seem to suggest that. Clearly my genes are not up to scratch (two of our children have a genetic disorder from me) and there is a message in there somewhere. Maybe.

IMO its families like yours who should be getting the benefits. You are working hard to get your heads above water and instead of that being rewarded you are being penalised for it.

and yes it is better to get HB for a few years rather than default on your rent. Hope think look up for you soon

things

Thank you Memoo

op, that is really crap

you sound like you are trying so hard and getting knocked at every turn

I hope things turn around for you soon

and you're genes are fine, please don't knock yourself for that, you sound like a lovely person and a great mum

ssdxx

Can you physically go down to the housing benefit office with any of your accounts including bank statements to prove your status? If you furnish them with all the information your case will be resolved quicker.

They will want six month bank statements to confirm you have not been earning and not declaring.

Sorry this has happened to you, it is so wrong when you try so hard to improve yourselves.

I worked withy homeless famileis for many years and it is always families like yours that get screwed over.

But try and get your landlord to understand and spread the debt over a few months or see if you can get a budgetting loan.

don't give up!

you sound like exactly the sort of person who deserves benefits.

Speak to the CAB and your local councillor/mp they may be able to help.

Shit isn't it. I am so sure I would be better off if I had dropped out of school dossed about between committing crimes than doing what I did and trying to do the right thing. Afraid I have no practical advice but you have my sympathy and I hope things get better soon.

I think you may have confused them/ set off alarms with a pattern of carer/full-time training/2 sets of tax credit based small businesses.

What are your total benefits/income (tax credits+training+carer allowance +HB +CTC etc etc) ?

They might think you can transfer some of DH's income (excess) into "your" business.
My sense is it's tripped some automatic trigger.

And you're a student ... so do you get free child care ?

I can see this all "adding up" from their POV.

Can you get a prelim meeting with an accountant? Not sure what they'd charge but a friend of mine manages to turn all sorts of things in her clients favour.

Cumfy DH is a FT student but my hours are nowhere near enough to qualify for either Tax Credits or anything else in my own right. I have declared 2 hours a month is all, nowhere near that 'magic' 16 hour figure.

DH has no business excess- he supplies his accounts but every penny after his takings goes straight back to stock so the business can be ready to take over when college starts.

My study is post grad and evening study so absolutely no financial benefit or income from that; indeed my CA in it's entirety goes straight to them for fees, I would cancel and drop out (I had already registered when DH was made redundant and kept going on a one step at a time basis) but am one payment away from completing year two (it's one evening a week) and dissertation is less than half the cost. I get an MA at the end so that HAS to help my employability. I would of course work in Tescos willingly except the boys have to have a Nanny at home so I need a job that would pay enough for that, I'd choose social owrk except tehy charge £5k a year for a conversion after grants so it will probably be teaching, an MA is useful there as unemployment rates amongst NQTs are high so something that makes you a bit different (mine is tun by the education department) is worthwhile. I am doing OK- averaging a B and whilst I would prefer an A it's not too bad.

SVC
my hours are nowhere near enough to qualify for either Tax Credits or anything else in my own right. I have declared 2 hours a month
You are incredibly honest then!
I would think most people who had managed to develop a business to a level where they:

At the moment I have enough clients to cover my expenses entirely but no more; website, etc.

Would be able to account for 16+ hours of direct and indirect work.

I would seriously add up all the hours planning, brainstorming, travelling, editting, research, "research", that is in anyway related to the business.

I would be very surprised if you did not qualify for tax credits.

Ah sorry, so are you claiming JSA, if you're not up to 16 hrs ?

I could see them getting mightily suspicious if you were a student/carer/v.v.part-time self employed ... but claiming JSA.

I can see them thinking, "who runs a business with clients, breaking even on 2 hours a month".

Basically, I feel you would have a reasonable amount of "explaining" to do in those circs.

No JSA: I get carers and DH is employed for 16 hours a week plus student grants etc; the two hours covers a website, basically I am quite well able to charge a decent amount for those two hours to cover the fees (DH does the set up etc); my field is not one that costs very much to run, a consultancy, so breaks even quite easily after that if you see? I am the only person I know doing what I do so wouldn't want to be more specific. Basically though I was doing this voluntarily for a few people and somebody wanted to pay me to formalise availability and I thought morally I should say yes and then declare it.

I just don;t ahve the necessary confirmed availability for any more time ATM: with having 2 disabled and 2 other children to care for plus study I just cannot do it, not yet. DH will take over childcare when he graduates (he can work from home but someone has to be on call for meetings, here for the special needs transport X 2 etc...) until then it's down to me.

I asked them about the evening course BTW and as it has no income or anything, and is only in for 3 hours a week, they don't class me as a student. It's on my notes but nothing actioned.

(Obviously DH gets Tax credits; hence the HB being only a % of the rental costs, about £40 PW )

You are not wrong. I have started a business, I employ 9 people in a very deprived area of London, and don't even draw a salary as yet, but the WFTC have decided they have overpaid me, and LHA say I earn too much to qualify...

That's ridiculous Madame! How can they say that if you do not take a wage?

Op you made the classic mistake of telling the truth! How are you ever going to be a successful benefit scrounger like that?
Seriously, it is heart-breaking to try and do things the right way and then get kicked for it. have had similar experiences here. Don't have any answers for you, but sympathy. I have got to the point where I feel it just isn't worth trying any more.
Good luck to you and DH.

They can do it because I do not have a full years accounts yet so can\t prove my income, and they consider the profits ha ha ha) of the business my income. even though I haven't got any. Because I can't prove it with certified accounts.

Well why don't you say you do 16 hours a week.Who can prove any different.You could be doing marketing etc.

sadly its for me to prove to them, not t'other way round. and by doing 16 hours I would lose out on the 32 hour payment...oh thats right, they've taken the whole sodding lot away from me.