to think that too many people rely on the Tax Credits for their income.

[IdRatherBeInBed]

Bit of background first

My sister and her boyfriend has got back together after they split up last year. She was then claiming income support.

He has moved back in with her so her benefits have all stopped. she works 13.5 hours a week, he works over 30 hours. They earn £17k between them. Which lets be honest in this climate is not alot of money.

Shes just called Tax Credits to let them know hes moved back in and wanted to know what she would be entitled to WTC wise. Due to her HB/CTB stopping. Her rent is £500 per month, CT £100 per month. She is entitled to £4.90 per week.

I am sad for her because after all rent, ct, bills have gone out shes isnt left with anything. her food bill for the month has had to be cut to £200 per month. She has a car on finance (through my dad) which is shagging her tbh due to engine size (she got it when still with partner before splitting up and he had to get a 1.8 sport^^) her insurance with just her on it is £115p/m. - (she isnt 25 yet)

Anyway she called them last week to ask how much she could be entitled to, they told her £80 per week so she was like
"ooh we can afford this, we can afford that" so went out and spent £100 on clothes for her, him and nephew. I told her not to rely on what they have said because it could be wrong but she wouldn't listen and was saying 'it will be right'. Today she rings me bollocking me as to why she is only entitled to £4.90 per week.

FFS why bollock me - i dont work for them.

WIHBU to have said to her 'cancel your £24p/m gym membership, get rid of the car or change it if you can, stop getting things from catalogues that you cant pay for and get your arse of a boyfriend to stop spending money you don't have on shit like £5.50 magazines each week, stop getting shit for the garden you dont need, you don't need so many fucking flowery things to make a garden look nice.

Or what i come across as a complete and utter bitch.

She is one of these who says "oh i have no money" but yet has enough for new clothes or go out for a meal, or takeaway"

What's the point in arguing with someone who can't even punctuate their posts properly?

Ivenoidea.

zackly

OK , can I suggest something ?

Do you not think that coco is not asking you to justify your tax credits ,I think she might be trying to warn you not to get too cozy as they could be taken away at any point ?

I think the problem is that you are referring Coco's posts to the OP, and kind of constructing a conceptual environment for them by means of that.

I think Doley is right - her posts are actually prompted by "tax credits", and reflections on tax credits generally, maybe??

That is, I don;t think her posts are related to the OP.

Would that be right, Coco? Sorry if I am wrong - I have to admit that I am confused too.

Mother
its ok as DH says 'ah well her life, she wont listen to you (me) so leave her to it'

Yes Doley that is what I mean. Thank you.

I have tried to explain it... for pages.... and pages!

Animula- yes I think so!

cocoflower - I see I have it wrong - it was related to the OP. I don't think you do get the interest on the mortgage paid for the first few months, or something, do you?

But that, I think, is a whole other bunfight!!

Im soooo relieved people can grasp my message (though Peachy did earlier)

No doubt some people wont like this fact and still find a way to make sure I stay the 'bad guy'.

Oh well. If you would like to still find fault with a very simple message then good luck.

Time for bed and time to bow out gracefully with my dignity still intact.

Thank you doley and Animula

I am too shocked about the £400pcm on 50k. I get £540 total TC. Sounds alot but its made up of CTC, WTC, Childcare element and LP element.

I earn 11k a year!!

OP I see what you mean. Sorry I thought you were talking about TC as a whole. The £58 was a TC estimate. I would be surprised at £80 p/w - I get a lot less for 1/3 of the income.

I think tbh the fact your sister is working less than 16 hours a week is what is affecting her here. I believe that to get WTC she has to be working over 16 hours, and therefore her DP gets it as he is.

"Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who
?usually work 16 hours or more a week
?are paid for that work, and
?expect to work for at least 4 weeks

and who are

?aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, or
?aged 16 or over and disabled, or
?aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week
?aged 50 or over must have been unemployed and in receipt of benefits for 6 months leading up to the claim and work 16 hours per week or more
?aged 60 or over and work 16 hours per week or more

Working Tax Credit is paid to the person who is working 16 hours or more a week. Couples, if both of you are working 16 hours or more a week, must choose which one of you will receive it. You cannot receive Working Tax Credit if you are not working.

As part of Working Tax Credit you may qualify for help towards the costs of childcare. If you receive the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, this will always be paid direct to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children, alongside payments of Child Tax Credit."

Secondcoming- you must be an extremely sensitive person to have even found the remotest thing offensive in anything I said. And to go as far as to call someone a wanker over ..... well over nothing. I know you think you made me look bad but really it was the other way around.

Please stop and look at what people have actally said to you before you act like this.

I guess you can accept the award "for most sensitive with abilty to misread what people have said and determined to find offence because I actually feel so terribly insecure" then cant you?

TSC!

Classic someone has lost an argument:

They have nothing left to pick on but spelling & grammer.

Yawn....

Says more about you than me.

Well hopefully this don't offend you either but I couldnt give two shiney ones about my spelling and grammar a fecking forum.

And?

Cocoflower!

If people have no income, the only they will get turned down for benefits is if their savings are too large or they don't meet basic criteria e.g. for job seekers need to be actually looking for work, council tax - need to be living in a house, etc.

Cocoflower, I think you're being obtuse, and making a total arse of yourself.

Personally, I don't actually believe your story about being in the position of poverty, but then I don't really care - the fact is that you don't seem to have any understanding about the way people operate when living under poverty conditions. I'm also loving the fact that you've changed your tone from your original posts into a "but I've been misunderstood" whingefest on here.

It's not very subtle.

I have lived in dire finical situations. Why the feck would anyone make that up? Its hardly anything to boast about now is it? What a weird mindset you have.

I just understood how to get myself out a mess.

Other people have undestood my point, shame for you you fail too.

Yeah, you fail frgaaah, you big failer.

I know how to get out the mess I am in get a job. Only I can't find a fucking job can I. the pathetic failure that I am. Why don't you all shut the fuck up the lot of you. Sorry OP.

Xstitch I spent ages helping you with the idea of nursing course. Im the only one who helped you. Yet you dissappeared?

Yes xstitch, why did you not listen to coco and do what she told you?

Ungrateful. That's the problem here, all these ungrateful bastards wanting money from the government and not getting a proper job.

says it all.

Would you be so prepared to say that to my face coco you are blowing hot and cold like you don't actually know what you believe. Sort your own head out first before you come and tell me what you think of me. You'll have to get to the back of the queue though I already have a town full of people telling me to my face what scum I am so don't think I don't know already.