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"

Hahah! Oh I'm a hypocrite, that's a given doley. Still now you're dragging something over from another thread as well...oh god where will it all end?

If you clicked on my profile I hope you clicked on my link and sponsored me?

I found a Girls World as well when I found the Sindy stuff. I'd drawn an Adam and stripe over her nose in nail varnish though. Poor Girls World.

Yes OU is favoured by many mature students as it allows you to keep working or fit in around childcare. Excellent suggestion.

ADAM ANT FFS.

I can't even get TC, because I can't truthfully say I can get 30 hours a week from week one. So I'm on IS until they stop that and then I think we are just going to die.

With a disabled partner who needs high dependency care, I honestly don't know how to get off benefits. I self-train constantly, with work-from-home skills (programming, interface design, compositing, animation, editing etc etc), and have put in +4 years volunteering on an open source project, but as I am required to be here, exactly here, 23/24, and cannot go out for longer than 120 minutes, and cannot sleep for longer than 120 minutes, it seems clear I can only work self-employed and from home. But I'd have to ensure a level of income because DPs needs are profound and progressive (quad, freakity, etc).

I research, I read, I ask, I try to think, but I don't know how to go from zero to the income I need to generate to support DPs needs (I would have to make minimum 15k - we already live in a deprived area in cheap part of country, only buy second hand etc). Obviously as well my inept comportment and freakish priorities are an issue, though I do work hard on presenting normally - read psychology books, practise recognising expressions etc, and not being able to speak on the phone well does limit me, but I clearly do have abilities that could be monetised - mathematical mostly, but also my art is taught in universities and I've exhibited internationally etc, so I know I'm not completely useless. I just, I don't know how to do it. I was dumped in a special school where tbh we mainly played snooker and then dumped onto benefits, with only a few manual jobs between. I've never been called for an interview at JFC+. I've asked, quite a lot, about help with getting into work but the only thing I can get is help with reading and writing. That doesn't help me. Once a Job Broker (I wrote to her) told me flatly to stop trying. There's nothing for me. I'm just not - I am difficult somehow.

Does anyone know? How do you do it? We can't move in with my dad (or at all) because the house is adapted. I don't mind eating noodles etc. I don't have a car or debt or anything.

Shirley triple dragging is all the rage these days !

I will check your link now ...and see

Are you talking about an Adam & the Ants stripe ? that is a shame .

Oh I see, you have said as much now !

Acumenin I'm so sorry to read your heartfelt post about the very real problems you and your family face.

Acumenin people like you should be applauded.

Not only have you got the strength and love to stick by a disabled dp but on top of that you are working and working and never giving up.

Best of all you dont have a self-pitying sense of entitlement attitude and believe everything is everyone elses fault.

Now, I dont do much about disabilty help but can you get carers allowance or some help to come in to give you a relief?

Have you tried looking for work through freelancers.net as a lot of people post jobs requiring you have the skills on there?

Another source to try in the London School of Arts website. They post lots of freelance, temporary and permanet jobs asking for the skills you have.

oooh sense of entitlement

jolly good

Carers allowance is a little over 50 quid a week.

Is that something you have applied for Acumenin?

acumin I am sorry things are so hard for you.
I dread the day DP can no longer work. If he has to stop, I will have to make up my hours to be eligble for WTC. If I up my hours, I will not be around to help him and he would not be able to cope with the childcare/school runs/housework etc.

So I will most probably have to give up work.

Scares the crap out of me.

Oi, usual, I called 'sense of entitlement' ages ago, you fucking moron.

Its a real test isnt it when someone with a genine needs coming looking for help, and while some offer advice; some use it as as opportunity to be petty.

Says just about everything you need to know about someone character pretty much there and then.

Coco, thanks but, I am suspicious of applause, tbh. I am often told I am a saint (only by folk who don't know me), which I think seems to be a very convenient story for people. Saints don't need help, you see. But I do need help, even though I have many personal abilities and advantages of which I try to be aware.

My ability to, for example, lift DP is a privilege and a blessing. It's one I work hard on keeping by training and working out. I can't think that it makes me better than him, do you see? Just luckier. Infinitely luckier.

I do get Carer's Allowance. They deduct most of it from the Income Support as it's a taxable income (£55.55pw) and means tested benefit. This also means you can't claim it and work 30 hours (TC minimum for carer). Its main financial benefit is that it pays your stamp. I am quite experienced with benefits, but thank you anyway.

I have looked at the freelancers sites. I will look at the LSA website, as well, thank you!

Acumenin happy to help and best of luck.

RitaMorgan did you look into the NHS or OU ideas yet? Anything that looks appealing?

TSC, awwwwww,

TFMrsDeVere, yes, it's - I can see why you are scared and I wish I could give you comfort but I don't know how carers make it work. I've never met one who cares full time who got into work after becoming one. Literally never. I'm really hoping someone will come along who has managed it because (and I do mean this sincerely though I'm aware it could be read as sarcasm) I really want to figure it out. Ten years is a long time to be stuck inside.

sorry tethers ..I was too busy getting pissed on my tax credit vodka to notice

They dont need a council house (and would die if they had to live in one),

Dnt know what to make of that feel quite offened my council house is lovely thanks :)

Dont admit that tea
Council houses are not supposed to be lovely.