Surely there's benefits for people like me

[Bpdqueen]

I'm a single adult, kids moved out I work 30 hrs a week my take home pay after tax and NI is around £1000 4 weekly. My mortgage payments are £450 a month. Leaving £550 a month for all bills food petrol the only benefit I get is 25% of council tax which brings ct down to £100ish a month. I used to get working tax credit but I apparently earn to much I have lots of medical conditions but I don't think anything enough to claim pip as I'm Mobile and capable of looking after myself and working. Am I missing something or am I expected to be able to live on this.
Aibu - yes that's more than enough to live on.
Yanbu - no you should be entitled to help on such a low income

I don't think there are but I could be wrong. Place marking as I'm interested in this too as my sister is in a very similar position. She's been told to work more hours but medically, that's pretty difficult for her

Honestly I think that’s not too bad, standard full time hours are 40 hrs p/w so increasing your hours is the obvious solution to any need to increase your finances.

In the context of recent increases in costs of living it probably does feel tight, but in comparison to others I think that you’re doing ok.

I don’t think it’s more than enough to live on. And only you can tell us if it’s enough - energy especially makes bills quite variable, especially if your medical issues mean you have less options.

I do think if someone can’t work more than 30 hours because of medical issues, they should then be entitled to PIP. But if they can… they I think it’s fair to expect an adult with friends kids to work 38 hours rather than 30 + benefits.

My biggest issue is that nobody should be paid a wage that (at full time equivalent) requires benefits.

As you have your own home that was big enough for kids, I’d get a lodger.

any reason you can’t work full time? I’m single with grown up kids with chronic autoimmune condition so struggle to work full time but assumed I have to as can’t afford not to. Will mark my place here with interest as would love to work less hours.

There has never really been much support for adults without children. But I am not sure that an adult with no caring responsibilities should be able to choose to work part time and expect benefits to top this up.

Is it health reasons that’s preventing you from working full time?

How many rooms in your place - assuming more than one bedroom as you mention kids moved out. Can you rent one or more of them out? Or downsize now it's just you? Your take-home pay is not a lot to live on, but it's a bit of a different matter if you have equity in your home.

If you were renting there would be a bit of help.
UC is a means tested benefit and is all down to the elements you are entitled too and then they reduce it based on your earnings 55p for every £1.
As you have a mortgage your element would only be £334 so you don't qualify but if you had the rental element of £450 you would qualify as your UC would be more than £550.
Working people qualify for PIP too, it's extra income to support your independence, including being at work. The criteria is hard but it's not means tested.

There are no benefits for you. Or more specifically, you would not be eligible for Universal Credit based on the details you gave. And I agree with you that it is unlikely you would be eligible for any PIP. So the short answer is yes, you are expected to live on that. Shit, isn't it?

You’re not working full time hours. Can you up your hours?

I have borderline personality disorder, pots, hypothyroidism and cardiovascular disease so 30hrs is a struggle as it is I wouldn't be able to do more but when I looked into pip the questions where can you dress yourself and feed yourself ect which I can

I think if your health conditions limit the amount you can work you should at least try for PIP. Take advice from a relevant organisation that deals with your condition as you may not be aware of how it affects your daily life - not to sound condescending, just that as you live with it you may not always recognise the limitations it puts on you.

Have you tried to claim Universal Credit?

It's 2 bedroom but with mental health issues wouldn't be possible

With the BPD would you be looking at social interactions? And the pots/hyperthyroidism, potentially having to take rests when walking, finding daily care tasks tiring?

It depends on your health conditions and the extent to which they affect you.

If you applied for UC, did a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and got put in the "Limited Capability for Work" (LCW) group, you would be entitled to a work allowance, which means that £573 of your earnings would be completely ignored, and 55% of the rest would be deducted from your UC. As a result, you would get a small amount of UC.

You can find out more about WCA, LCW etc at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/
and also see www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/take-the-esa-test
(Note this page refers to ESA which you can't claim as you're working more than 16 hours, but the assessment works the same on UC.)

From what you say, it sounds unlikely you'd qualify for PIP, but you can check the criteria here:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/
and www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test

Lastly there is a possibility you might be eligible for Council Tax Reduction (called Council Tax Support by some councils). You would need to use a benefit calculator such as entitledto or Turn2Us. If I had to guess I'd say you probably won't be entitled but it's worth checking.

@Bpdqueen

It's 2 bedroom but with mental health issues wouldn't be possible

Ah, sorry to hear that. Could you lower your overheads longer term by moving to a one-bed?

I get pip as can’t work due to autism so you should look into it as it’s not clear cut they will assess you very thoroughly and decide and you probably will qualify for something

@Bpdqueen Apply for PIP.
MH problems and your heart problems could make you eligible.
Many people receive the payment without mobility problems.
How are you at dressing and living when you're not feeling great?
Renting a room is another option.

and not as

@NotthesameNotok

I get pip as can’t work due to autism so you should look into it as it’s not clear cut they will assess you very thoroughly and decide and you probably will qualify for something

PIP is for people who work as well as people who don't.

I assume you are also getting ESA or UC, which you would usually get if not able to work.

No advice, only to say I'm in a similar situation.

9 chronic conditions, in pain every day but apparently according to doctors not in enough pain.

Work 25 hours a week but can't claim anything. I am physically struggling to stay upright by the end of the week, literally.

It's shit Op, and there should be some assistance to those who can work but part time only. I love working but my health has failed me.

Are you sure you're not entitled to Universal Credit? My partner earns about that much too, and definitely receives UC.

I couldn't live on that OP. Could you look for a higher paid job?

I would look into PIP and a lodger.

@AnotherEmma yes - I’d put as not and 🤦‍♀️ Typing too fast 🤣

I get UC as well