Losing 1k pm income

[Threeinyellow]

As the title goes, it looks likely that I may become unemployed and lose 1k in income. Owe approx 11k debt. Possibly housing too.

Total income £3290 (incl UC with housing benefit element and £70pw CM for 2DC)

Total debt
Loan 9650 excl interest
Credit card 780
Store cards 185

Outgoings
Rent 900
Council tax 111
Water 39
British Gas 105
Mobile 64
Broadband 20
Dental 22.50
Dc sports fees 10
Pet insurance 6
Vet 12.50
Tv licence 13.50
Union 10
Contents ins 8
Help to save 50
FOOD 550
Child ISA 10
Driving lessons 280
Tesco subs 7

Any advice or signposting very much appreciated.

£2290 a month being unemployed?!?! I earn £2700 (net) working 40+ hours in a job I have spent 20 years doing qualifications and working my way up to!

Sorry OP, not your fault. But honestly this system needs a massive overhaul.

How are you struggling to see how OP qualifies? She'd likely qualify for a small element in anycase as a single parent, add in a mental illness (which she'd have to jump through hoops to show how it impacts her life) and having DC who are likely SEN as can't be catered for in mainstream school.

How can she both home school and work at the same time?

Carers allowance isn’t £1k per month!!

Absolutely - people have no idea of the impact of the level of chronic stress and the toll it can take physically and mentally when they haven’t lived it. Especially if they lack a basic level of empathy. I applaud this response.

That includes CM

@averythinline Not through the CMS. Ex has said that he will make sure to disappear if I try to attach his earnings.

I have never been on out of work benefits. I work hard for a living.

@Livinghappy Weekend/evening work is not something that's yet crossed my mind. I am feeling unbelievably stressed so that's probably why as ordinarily that's something I might have considered.

Re driving lessons, have you got a friend or relative who would be happy to sit with you in their car so you can get some practice in now and again?

Can you go SIM only for your phone, even £54/m is expensive. You should be able to get it down to around £10-15.

I don't think your food bill is bad but you may be able to knock some off here and there.

Ignore the comments from people who see only the £ and not the reasons you're getting it.

Cheaper mobile for sure :-)

This is my net pay per month as a teacher working 4 days per week on UPS 3!

What was the loan for ?

I am struggling to see what she has coming in, that's why i asked for a breakdown - it was not a personal attack.

It will be okay OP. Try not to think in terms of years at this stage. It's a massive change but try to take each week as it comes. How are your employers being in all this? Can you reduce hours while you finalise what's happening with dc schooling/provision?

Who cares for your SEN children while you're at work?

I have a degree, ma, a teaching degree and I loved my work. Then I got sick. I was in the NHS before I did my degree. I worked and contributed all of my life. But I wasn't eligible for much. I live on 900 pounds a month, my small NHS pension. I'm not old enough to get my state pension yet. I have to get everything out of that figure. So it's deals deals deals all round. You can't be proud. Go get cheaper food. Pare everything to the bone and hope things stabilise. In the early days before pension it was if I was invisible. Don't be invisible, just find the resources and ask. Cut your coat by what you have. Don't try to pretend to everyone it's not happening (I did). I was depressed, keeping up appearances and no one who needed and would want to help did because they didn't know. You have to change things, mostly you're attitude to money, take care of what you have and watch your six. None of this is your fault but act now and help things stabilise quicker. Good luck op.

This figure includes CM

FWIW my UC is being reduced anyway as the loan has been counted as capital for the months I had money in the bank. So the total income figures on the OP are due to change. UC are still to let me know how much the reduction is.

In that case what else can be done to prevent home schooling? Home schooling, if necessary can it be done around work hours?
Otherwise unless you can show you need to be a carer for your child won’t UC say you’ve deprived yourself
of income? .
Also if your driving lessons are likely to help you get a better job or facilitate help with the kids I’d not stop them and stop something else instead. Unless you’ve only just started them - how close to a test are you?

That's reasonable

I didn't say it was?

I think you should mention you are a single mum in your original post.

Yes, I understood that from your OP - I’m saying I agree with the quoted poster that there’s so much ignorance around what it is like to live as a carer, a parent of SEND children, and the stress it creates including the toll on your own mental and physical health. There are many posters who are upset because they think you shouldn’t receive the benefits you currently get. I’m saying it’s not an easy life in your position.

If you don't have a car (you're not paying any car costs) why are you learning to drive?

Can't you work around kids eg weekends or evenings since they're teen? Or WFH evenings and weekends?