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

If you have read my previous posts you would understand why I can't do them things I'm trying here im working as much as I can but it's hard im exhausted all the time I can't stand for any length of time because of pots and cvd and get really breathless. I have days where I struggle to be around others or leave the house because of bpd and I need to sleep a lot to function due to bpd,pots,cvd and hypothyroidism and all the different meds im on makes me feel like a zombie. A lodger wouldn't be fair or safe on me or the lodger due to moodswings, breakdowns, outbursts ect caused by bpd. And downsizing wouldn't financially benefit me as the difference would be spent on moving costs.

@HulaTallulah

You need to work full time, take a lodger or downsize your home. Not sure why the state should pick up the tab if you're not willing to do any of these things.

Not sure why people feel the need to be so rude “not sure why the state should pick up the slack” 🙄 I think the states money would be a lot more useful being used to help people like OP and thousands others who are genuinely struggling to keep their heads above water rather than you know holding an inquest into who tattled on rishi sunaks wife, Holding illegal wine and cheese parties or dropping 80mil on painting the face of Big Ben blue but you know. This woman’s wrong for trying to get a couple of extra quid so she dosnt starve to death, how dare she eh? 🤨

Increase the mortgage term to reduce the monthly cost

@Bpdqueen

If you have read my previous posts you would understand why I can't do them things I'm trying here im working as much as I can but it's hard im exhausted all the time I can't stand for any length of time because of pots and cvd and get really breathless. I have days where I struggle to be around others or leave the house because of bpd and I need to sleep a lot to function due to bpd,pots,cvd and hypothyroidism and all the different meds im on makes me feel like a zombie. A lodger wouldn't be fair or safe on me or the lodger due to moodswings, breakdowns, outbursts ect caused by bpd. And downsizing wouldn't financially benefit me as the difference would be spent on moving costs.

Please do try for PIP. get some help with the forms from CAB or similar, or a disability charity. Once you have PIP in place then you could maybe also apply for UC and be assessed for work capability. this may allow you to reduce your hours and get some UC top up. Ignore rude posters. I hope things improve for you.

@Bpdqueen

"If you have read my previous posts you would understand why I can't do them things I'm trying here im working as much as I can but it's hard im exhausted all the time I can't stand for any length of time because of pots and cvd and get really breathless."

Can you look at other roles which are more physically suited for you bearing in mind your illnesses that would not leave you so exhausted and enable you to complete more hours?

[quote maddening]@Bpdqueen

"If you have read my previous posts you would understand why I can't do them things I'm trying here im working as much as I can but it's hard im exhausted all the time I can't stand for any length of time because of pots and cvd and get really breathless."

Can you look at other roles which are more physically suited for you bearing in mind your illnesses that would not leave you so exhausted and enable you to complete more hours?[/quote]
My recent experience of job hunting has shown me that it gets increasingly difficult to find new roles as you get older - I am mid fifties. I can't imagine how much harder it must be with physical limitations as well.

If your health conditions prevent you from working full time, you should definitely look at claiming pip! If you get pip it will open up the possibility of universal credit (assuming you aren't already eligible for Uc, have you checked?)

Pip is for both people who can and cannot work! Definitely look into it.

What you earn is not enough to live on imo. It must be a real struggle op. Especially with your own house, more likely to get help when renting!! How do you manage house repairs etc? Sorry if that's a sensitive question!

This is just another example how people can't afford to live and it's appalling. I assume you are on minimum wage, sadly you will not be the only one struggling.

Have you looked at other options? Getting a lodger?

I hope things improve for you op!

Can you get lodgers in ? Or foster/respite foster ? Pet sit ? Extra hours or a PT job ?
Rent out a garage or parking space ?

@CrazyTimes123

Can you get lodgers in ? Or foster/respite foster ? Pet sit ? Extra hours or a PT job ? Rent out a garage or parking space ?

Op has already explained why she can't get a lodger. She has significant health problems so unlikely to be able to walk a dog or be a foster carer.

It might be a mental struggle to go through the assessment but if you can get yourself through it, you lose nothing by applying for a PIP.

Best of luck, OP .

@Cocomarine

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.

I imagine you’ve never tried to apply for PIP?

Definitely apply for PIP. If you can’t work full time because of a disability, there’s a high chance you’ll get it. Remember though, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it so it’s a very good idea to get someone else to help you fill out the form. I get it for epilepsy and it’s a real help. I work full time.

@Bpdqueen I agree.

Either the minimum wage is high enough to allow a single person to live on. Or it’s not and then there is a need to give some support.
And if one can’t work full time, then again, support should be available.

One of the big issue is that it’s actually more expensive to live when a single person than a couple. But you somehow get more support as a couple (I’m thinking there cost of rental is basically divided in half, portions for a single person costs more etc…)

Unfortunately none of that is going to happen with the current government.

Contact your local food bank and explain that with recent utility bill increases you have nothing left over to buy food, you are currently not in receipt of any benefits but have been told you might b eligible, so you are looking into it. They will willingly provide you with a stop-gap until you get a clear answer. Good luck! It breaks my heart that so many people are suffering so much at the moment.

@ExplodingElephants

Definitely apply for PIP. If you can’t work full time because of a disability, there’s a high chance you’ll get it. Remember though, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it so it’s a very good idea to get someone else to help you fill out the form. I get it for epilepsy and it’s a real help. I work full time.

@ExplodingElephants, you see I’m happy for you. But also gutted when I think about the m ay people who have been rejected from PIP and can’t work AT ALL.

Why is one person who is working full time receiving support for disability when one that can’t isn’t ???

(NOTE: again not an attack on you!! But in the system that is so unfair)

How much tax are you paying each month?

Invest any income over your income tax allowance threshold into a pension. It will be deducted from your gross pay and you will reduce/eliminate your income tax payments with possibly little impact on your overall take home pay at your current monthly rate.
Your pension contributions will also receive a 20% uplift from the government into your pension pot.... It might not seem like much of benefit now, but your future-self will thank you for it in years to come!!
You might even be able to build enough in your pot to pay your mortgage off early.

Also you are likely to stop being liable to pay NI contributions at all in July, if your annual income is below £12,570.

Married with children ; PIP is not an earnings replacement benefit. If you cannot work at all because of disability then there are various other benefits you may be able to claim - Universal credit, or if you don't qualify for that due to savings or partners income then there is potentially contributions based ESA if you have paid enough NI contributions.

Why is one person who is working full time receiving support for disability when one that can’t isn’t ???

Because the PIP allows them to work with any advantages that this brings for them? Financially, socially, and/or emotionally?

There do seem to be substantial injustices within the PIP awards that are made. I'm aware of somebody who was blind, a wheelchair user, had cognitive issues and a couple of progressive conditions who was initially awarded zero points. That was appealed successfully (unlike in the case that you report) so it seems that the inter-rater reliability is very poor.

Friends daughter has PIP after a battle. She was on full DLA and mobility and is sever learning disabled and sever end of autistic spectrum (non verbal, unable to function without 24 hour care). Basically, needs full care, no communication, meltdowns, aggression, unable to be left alone, cannot wash/shower/dress without help. Very, very fixed routines etc and struggled to get the higher award. Crazy.

For someone who is mobile and able to work and needs no care to function then I wouldn't expect PIP to be paid.

On a separate point, if more hours are out of the question or a struggle then a lodger (tax free) might help?

"you see I’m happy for you.
But also gutted when I think about the m ay people who have been rejected from PIP and can’t work AT ALL.

Why is one person who is working full time receiving support for disability when one that can’t isn’t ???

(NOTE: again not an attack on you!! But in the system that is so unfair)"

Wow I agree. Someone working getting PIP benefit and can care for themselves and work and is mobile and yet some disabled people get rejected and unable to do a fraction of what a person with epilepsy does! Crazy system. Needs looking at.

Unfortunately unless you can claim some sorrt of disability benefits you don't qualify for help. I would try to find a way of earning extra money.

It sounds like it will be worthwhile for you to apply for PIP. Some non-profits can help you fill in the forms effectively, like fightback4justice. If you have no experience advocating for this sort of help, specialist support is likely to make a big difference to you.

I would also contact your Council Tax department as well, you may qualify for Council Tax support to reduce Council tax - I just checked my local council website and a single person earning up £250pw would get 50% reduction in council tax - each Council is different for support available so may be different in your area.

@whywhythough
Examples:
Needing prompting/encouragement to eat (or cook).
Same again for showering/hairwashing when depressed.
Help with communication due to Autism.
Impulsive spending.

@HulaTallulah

You need to work full time, take a lodger or downsize your home. Not sure why the state should pick up the tab if you're not willing to do any of these things.

Ermm... because the benefits system is supposed to work in such a way that people pay in (which the OP as an employed person has been doing) and are then entitled to claim support if they need it. It's not freebies. Sheesh.