That is must be possible to survive on my low income?

[notabee]

My total income is under £13k (work pt, can't work more due to not great health, plus tax credits etc)
I own my house with a mortgage (about £6k a year) and I have dc but no partner.
There must be a way?
I feel I must be missing something.
I spoke to the cab last year and they didn't think there was any other help.
Every month and getting more and more in debt but I really do try and spend the minimum possible.
How do you get by?
Do you think I should get by?
Aibtu?

You need to write out a budget, only you will know where your money is going. There is generally always something you can cut back on
How much do you receive in tax credits?

If you list your total incoming a and outgoings people can then see where you might be able to save money.

Without wanting to pry into your health,
A long term condition that affects your life is entitled to pip, which could supplement your income. Despite all the horror stories, for most disabilities you can be awarded if you word your application the right way and use their key words.

If you work up to 16 hours a week, you're eligeable for esa, but I'm guessing to get what you do you work more than this?

www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Could you rent a room? Work online from home as well..Its a very low income after mortgage. In lreland we have family income supplement to bring low incomes up to some standard. Do ye have nothing like that.

Yes it will be a struggle with a motgage to pay. If you rented you would most likely get help from housing benefit but with a mortgage you don't get any help with housing unless you areon certain benefits.
Does the dc's dad not pay child maintainance, is there any way you could go through CMS ?

Any scope to get a Sun/Mon-Thu lodger?

Is there an absent father that is in any way CMS-able?

Are you entitled to PIP? PIP PIP points system If your health stops you from working full time there's a good chance you're entitled and with that and Disabled Tax credits it would pretty much double your income.

Do you receive all the benefits that you're entitled to?

It is low and I think most people would struggle so it's not anything you're doing wrong to find it hard to manage on that income. Assuming you get all the benefits you're entitled to (look on turn2us calculator if unsure - I'd say probably child tax credits, working tax credits, child benefit and housing benefit all may be relevant?)
Then just being as frugal as possible - shopping secondhand, going to less expensive supermarkets etc. Do you get maintenance support for your DC?

If you think it'll help I'll happily write down my whole outgoing X, I've tried to to with it out.
Yes their dad pays cm through the cms. The figure includes that.
I work 16 hours a week.
I did once claim for pip (and got turned down) and I've not tried again since, it's really hard to admit I may need it.
No spare room for a lodger, unfortunately, unless I put a child with me.
I really appreciate your help with this. Thank you.

Crossed posts.
I already shop at Aldi (& occasionally tesco for top ups of what they don't sell and to collect from the pharmacy - they're good for reduced items too).
I couldn't tell you the last time I bought myself something. It was possibly a bra... And months ago.

And then I posted too soon! Meant to say thank you too. I hope I don't sound harsh, I'm just fed up!

I do welfare advice. Did you get help with the PIP form? PIP is very language dependent and lots of people struggle to get the jargon right. It really does help to get support. Did you send evidence? PIP is also very evidence dependent and sending as much evidence as possible is key.

You must be entitled to quite a lot of tax creidts on an income of £13k, plus working tax credits, child benefit and child maintainance which doesn't affect benefit entitlement.
How much in benfits do you get each month, maybe someone can check you are getting the correct amount?

Mortgage £505.89
Council tax £130
water £66
Electric / gas £88
Home phone / broadband £19.99
Mobiles £15-20 (payg)
TV license £12
Car insurance £16
House insurance £20
car tax £19
Last month was £115 on fuel (school and work mostly)
Last month was £175 on food
Last month was £35 on school books
I spent £35 on one dc's birthday and £20 on a 'party'.
Probably other things that I'll think of.
I went out once and spent £12 total.

And what's the total income, from wages, child benefit and tax credits? People can't really help until you say how much you have each month and how much you're spending.

Reasonable size mortgage, how big is the house? Scope for a lodger?

Water bill looks high too, everything else doesn't look too bad.

Do you get council tax reduction? It's on top of the 25% discount for being a single adult in a property. Do you use comparison websites for utilities?

That includes the tax credits , I don't earn a lot, it's the huge downside of having a completely flexible job. I wouldn't get any other as the bad days would interfere.
I probably get the Mac tax credits but I'll check again now.
I did the form on my own, I know I'm asking for help now but I'm the worst for asking for help. I should try again, it'll take up a lot of the shortfall even at minimum.
2 dc, 15 and 17.
I have to admit, talking it over here is already making me feel much less on my own with this. So, thank you.

If you could work from home, could you do more hours?

I'm on the same money as you! Have you called your water providers I'm on some scheme that means my bill can't exceed £12 which saves a bit!

The problem you have is your mortgage.