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AIBU?

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Original poster

I'm about to give birth and were going to lose our home

227 replies

Worriedmumof2dc · 27/03/2019 11:59

DP has just been informed that his hours are being hugely reduced at work. He's on a 30 hour contract but has been working 55 hours a week for the past two years since he was hired. The understanding was that the 55 hours would be standard and consistent, so not to worry about what the contract says as he will always have the 55 hours. The company is a disgrace in how it treats its employees but that's another thread.

This company branch has a new manager who has now decided to reduce him to just his contracted hours to save money, he's forced to accept that as per the terms in the original contract.

The problem is his amended wage won't cover our outgoings. We will lose our home eventually, we are safe for another month and a half maximum by which point we will have a baby of a couple of weeks old. I'm at home with a 15 month old and am about to give birth to our second in less than a month so the timing couldn't be worse. I can't realistically go back to work yet and by the time I can, we'll owe the landlord alot of money in arrears.

My hands are tied as to what I can do to help, I feel useless. We have no savings and no family help. I'm worried we will lose our home. It's inevitable isn't it.

He's applying like a mad man for every job he can find, but we're worried.

I can't claim benefits because he works and even with the amended wage will earn over the threshold in which we'd be eligible for anything, despite the lower wage not being enough to cover the costs of living in our London flat.

We have no savings Sad

Please somebody tell me that we can't be made homeless with a newborn and toddler. I'm scared.

OP posts:
Original poster
Worriedmumof2dc · 27/03/2019 12:19

Its a retail chain, DP's job was to take deliveries on an evening and supervise a night team replenishing stock.

The difference in wage between night staff and day staff is huge, it's for this reason the new management wants to get rid of nights entirely.

We do get child benefit and child tax credits which are a huge help, if it weren't for that then we wouldn't be able to survive. I'm not entitled to anything for myself, just for the toddler.

OP posts:
SEsofty · 27/03/2019 12:19

So he’s on nmw? I thought that with two children and nmw then there would be some benefits available

But irrespective of the immediate crisis you need to move house. In no way is it sustainable to be spending three quarters of your income on rent

pastabest · 27/03/2019 12:21

55 hours a week and still only bringing home £1500 after tax must mean he is around about mininum wage? That doesn't sound like a premium wage for night shifts in London!?

Are you sure he's being paid properly as it is?

Luella29 · 27/03/2019 12:22

And this link about universal credit. england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/how_to_claim_universal_credit

PurpleFlower1983 · 27/03/2019 12:23

Moving forward you need to move out of London or at least to a cheaper area. As others have said, two thirds of wages on rent is absolutely crazy!

InglouriousBasterd · 27/03/2019 12:23

I’d bet you’re entitled to HB on that wage. Definitely contact the council.

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/03/2019 12:25

You can’t claim HB or tax credits anymore, but you will definitely be entitled to UC.

ForeverBubblegum · 27/03/2019 12:26

If he's only making 1k a month (12k a year) he won't pay tax as he will be under the personal allowance. At that income I would have thought you would qualify for some form of benefits (unless you are on amazing maternity pay).

Look up "turn to us" it's a benefit calculator that should tell you what you can apply for. You can also run the calculator a few times with different scenario to see how it will change once baby's born or if DH gets second job etc

Dodie66 · 27/03/2019 12:27

You could qualify for child tax credits and working tax credits if one of you is working at least 30 hours. Go online to the tax credits calculator and put inyour figures to see what you can get www.gov.uk/tax-credits-calculator

Handsoffmysweets · 27/03/2019 12:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Romax · 27/03/2019 12:28

If you CTc and this was based on previous wernjnf

Then they will increase if his salary has dropped

Original poster
Worriedmumof2dc · 27/03/2019 12:29

His hourly wage is (approx) £8.34 per hour but he receives a premium rate of (approx) £11.12 for the hours between 12am and 5am

Premium rate is time and a third.

He makes on average £107 per night and works 5 nights a week.

That's the situation to the best of my knowledge I'll have him confirm that when he's up.

It's a low paid job as it is, losing the premium hours and being on 30 hours day shift rate is going to be crippling.

We've looked into council accommodation previously and been told there is nothing available, long waiting lists and they wouldn't intervene unless we were made homeless by bailiffs at which point the best we could hope for is emergency accom. A hostel or temporary b&b.

I'm happy to move but we don't have the upfront costs to do it, so we're stuck. He also needs to remain relatively local as he has family ties.

OP posts:
lightlypoached · 27/03/2019 12:29

Waitrose pays £8 / hr for shelf stacking and tills work, plus you get 25% food discount after 3 months (even if part time). I'd go for that as a top up job - they often need overtime and are very flexible on hours (my DD worked there and earned a lot - esp in run up to christmas.) . supermarkets in london are always recruiting!

you could also consider (in a few months after baby) training as a childminder so you can earn whilst you care for yours and other peoples' kids. eminently do-able and there is always demand in London for good childcare.

I'd also be surprised if you didn't get some benefits on that wage.

DerelictWreck · 27/03/2019 12:30

he will be making just under 1k a month after tax

You are absolutely entitled to benefits on that OP, that's a low salary never mind London or the fact there are two kids! Try one of these calculators to work out your entitlement. www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators. You could be eligible to about £600 with what you've told us.

YouBumder · 27/03/2019 12:30

I've never found CAB helpful, and I never recommend them at work.

Agreed. CAB are shit IME. Speak to his union or ACAS. The problem with trying to asset custom and practice though are the 55 hours is it’s at variance with the express terms of his contract :/ may be worth a shot though. Sorry you’re in this situation

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 27/03/2019 12:33

OP I completely agree you don't stand a hope in hell of getting council housing in London but I'd be amazed if you don't qualify for some housing benefit (or UC depending on your area).

Original poster
Worriedmumof2dc · 27/03/2019 12:34

I actually sent him a link to a vacancy for Waitrose the other day, before the management confirmed he was culling the night shifts. He's applying for anything and everything he can find.

We've suspected this move was coming as it has been implied for a few weeks, so he has already mentally checked out of the job and is throwing himself into finding something else.

I've been looking at temp work myself but he said I'm being daft at 35 weeks pregnant nobody will take me on and I need to try and relax. It's been a stressful pregnancy and I'm bloody exhausted but I don't like not being able to do more.

OP posts:
dreichuplands · 27/03/2019 12:35

If you are getting into a situation where you can't make rent payments don't just not pay, talk to your landlord and talk through what you are doing to sort things out.

IvanaPee · 27/03/2019 12:35

Don’t panic.

Have him talk to the union.

Speak to CAB about benefits, I really don’t think you’re right about no entitlements, especially with a second baby (when he/she arrives).

He should continue to apply for better jobs/top-up jobs but down the line I would think about moving further afield than where you are now. For all your sakes.

In the meantime, there’s some transcription work you can do from home if you’re any good at dictation typing? I know some pay into PayPal and it’s not good money (obviously) but you might be able to earn even say £50 per week which could be a frugal shop?

hsegfiugseskufh · 27/03/2019 12:35

im sure if hes earning less then 1k a month you'd be entitled to something... have you checked on his lower wage with 2 children?

QforCucumber · 27/03/2019 12:36

Do an application now for UC, you will be entitled and going by the calculator online (i only put in basic figures base don your posts) you should be entitled to around £400-500 a month on his working 30 hours. Are you receiving any maternity pay at all?

Original poster
Worriedmumof2dc · 27/03/2019 12:38

I'm more than happy to work from home. I'm not familiar with transcript writing but I'll look it up now. I'm reasonably literate and good with computers, I have a laptop I could work from.

Were completely up to date with rent and no current arrears, we've calculated that we are 'safe' in terms of paying for another 6 weeks before we'd have to tell the landlord what's going on. DP is hoping he will find something during this period and not have to panic the landlord if he can avoid it.

Obviously we will have a proper talk with him if nothing comes up within the next month.

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 27/03/2019 12:39

You will get benefits. But don't think your LL won't give you marching orders OP...if you can't pay your rent then he can't pay the mortgage.

Norrisskipjack · 27/03/2019 12:39

Shit that’s a huge change. It also sounds like less than minimum wage?

catzrulz · 27/03/2019 12:39

Also try ACAS, m.acas.org.uk
They are excellent on employment law etc.

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