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?

[CrochetBelle]

Do you get paid less than minimum wage?

[CremeEggThief]

Notabee, are you claiming your 25% single person discount for council tax?

A water meter would be worth looking into, if you're not on one already. £66 a month is over double what I pay.

Do you think your gas and electricity might come down now we're moving into summer? I'm on a pre-payment smart meter and I'm starting to get away with £15 a week for both now, rather than £20. By the way, did you apply for the £140 warm home discount this winter? Every utility company has an online form you can fill out on their website. As long as your income is under £16000 per annum and you get child tax credits, you're entitled to it. It worked out as 7 weeks "free" utilities for me, as I didn't have to top up my meter at all between early February and the end of March, so it is very helpful indeed.

Contract phones from Giff-Gaff (usually sim only)or Tesco Mobile could work out slightly cheaper than PAYG. My DS is on a £7.50 per month contract with a cap of £2.50, so I know the most his bill will ever be is £10, for example.

You are very welcome to join us on our Frugaleers threads in the credit crunch section, if you want some support, hints and tips on budgeting and keeping costs down.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Benefits system is set up to help renters.

[notabee]

Tax credits £417
Child benefit £82.80
Work £558
cm £50

I already get the single person council tax discount and an extra measly £4pw discount for low income.
Water rates are hugely high here. Downside of living where I do.
I live in a 3 bed (inc 1 box room) terrace, nothing fancy and now needing some tlc.

[ElizabethG81]

If £13k is your total net income then I think there's maybe something missing/not being claimed? What's your gross income from work? I'll be able to work out what you should get in tax credits from that.

[Mrscog]

When did you last remortgage? If you haven't done it for a while that might shave it down a bit.

[notabee]

I should've pointed out I work term time only (education).
I can also only claim for 1 dc and 1 is out of education (a thread on its own but worried about outing myself!).
I honestly wonder if I'd be better off not working. The whole system is feeling flawed. I've always worked and try and instil a working ethic to dc.

[CremeEggThief]

Is your 17 year old no longer entitled to child tax credits and child benefit?

[Goldfishjane]

Council tax looks high
Have they got you in the right price band?
Water also looks high?

[Chippednailvarnishing]

Could you look to see if you could remortgage?

Lower interest rate, longer term?

[CremeEggThief]

Sorry, cross post. That's a big part of your problem then; you're having to provide for 2 dc on the money you get for 1.

[notabee]

Ive not remortgaged in years but I'm scared to trying incase they withdraw my current mortgage. I'm earning significantly less than when I got it.

[ElizabethG81]

Cross post. I think you're getting a lot less tax credits than you're entitled to, and less child benefit actually. I get CB £136 every 4 weeks for 2 children. From your income from work, as long as you are working 16 hours then I'd say you should be getting approx £830pm. Are you paying back any overpayments to tax credits maybe? Or have they got you recorded as working less than 16 hours and therefore not getting working tax credit?

[Chippednailvarnishing]

Then apply to someone else. How much longer us the mortgage term and what interest rate are you paying?

[CrochetBelle]

Ah, one kid isn't in education. Then s/he needs a job or to go into education. You can't keep them on fresh air.

[Mrscog]

You MUST try remortgaging! What is that £500 payment for? We currently pay £615 per month on a 170k mortgage.

Give a free broker like London and Country a call to get some advice.

[ElizabethG81]

Sorry, cross post again. The tax credits and CB will obviously be less as you can only claim for 1 child.

[Cloeycat]

Can the 17 year old get a weekend job? It would at the very least pay for their phone and you could maybe ask them to help with the broadband.

[PurpleMinionMummy]

Council tax looks high are you getting the single person reduction?
Water is ridiculously high, we pay £33 a mth for a family of 5. Do you have a meter?

Even if you no longer get benefits for the 17yo, your income shouldn't be under 13k so something is amiss somewhere, look on entitledtoo.com.

[ElizabethG81]

I'd still work out your tax credits to be about £600pm though.

[memyselfandaye]

You can now set up a weekly direct debit for the water, ours is £5 a week.

[RandomMess]

Realistically you may have to move into rented accommodation that way you can get housing benefit.

Are there any shared ownerships schemes, you buy a share with your equity and just rent the rest?

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

Are those weekly or monthly figures?

[notabee]

They really are proper adults.
1 keeps asking for money to go out and I feel hugely mean in saying no a lot of the time. They want an allowance but from where?
Honestly where I live is high council tax and water rates (I'm on a meter already). I'd move but that would add to costs plus, again, I'm not sure I'd get the mortgage.
You're absolutely right, I am paying for 2 and getting for 1. That's a whole battle in its own but I can't change that right now.
Am I right in thinking it can't be done? Unless I ask a dc to share with me and get a lodger? Maybe that is the only answer, I'm assuming it doesn't affect the help I get? Anyone want to rent a room?