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.

Me too - and I'm not entitled to any UC as I have a mortgage (taken out when part of a couple) rather than rent

You do realise you can cease paying a student loan? This payment is taken off at source????🙄

@tappitytaptap well it only really applies if you have several kids , get maintabance ( which doesn't count when claiming UC which I disagree with - I know someone getting £780 child maintenance. And still claiming full whack on UC) and rent- the minute one of these apply or at least anything child related- then it's very frugal indeed- which is why I see why some do this but it's very short sighted.

@Wannabedisneyprincess I don't think she included her debt repayments and has already said loan is£380 a month

£2k+ a month universal credit will be related to children who get DLA. Running this through a benefits calculator would tell you this and then you could stop frothing.

Would you be able to apply for a HC2 certificate?

@LostittoBostik that's my first thought - get to the root of why it's going to be difficult to work - I'm suspect here you don't have a child with physical issues - it sounds more like an exclusion or child refusing to go etc- you need to seek help with that situation - I may be wrong of course- and I'm not suprised if your mental health is shit if that's the case- please ignore nasty comments on income- it is what it is and yes you can cut back but as you know big problem is the loan - is this a car? I thought not if you were having driving lessons and realised they may be for a teen - if so- drop that straightaway and if it is 'a car' loan - can you get rid of car- ??

For those saying OPs income looks huge , it's because maintenance isn't counted when it comes to UC - without maintenance and UC I think OPs earned income is probably more like £2.2k . And yes I do think there are many who could qualify but don't apply- particularly if you have reasonably high rent and kids and often only 1 income sometimes 2 low part time incomes.

Is it fair? Not necessarily but if I was on a lowish income it's one reason I would be loathe to buy and would go for shared ownership if I wanted security as you can get the rent element covered off if you need to claim at all ever

I'm saying that too, its important. Why home schooling? Raising send children is deep work and requires much skill and fortitude. For all those who think that doesn't matter perhaps consider that 25% of our prison population is people with untreated adhd. It really matters. The ability to thrive and contribute to society is transformative with the correct interventions. OP I'm not saying that's your family I'm just saying that it is under diagnosed in younger children.

Definitely stop the takeaways and ready meals. They really add up to easily several hundred a month. These are very sneaky expenses that really drain your bank account.

Do batch cooking instead, so you only have to heat up left-overs on busy days. It's also cheaper than cooking every day.

If your stuck in mobile contracts you can amend the specification for cheaper contract (less data, calls etc)
Takeaway, swap the takeaway you have? We stopped Chinese, went for fish and chips choosing cheaper options (large chips to share etc) so can have a treat for a tenner.
I batch cook a morning a week and freeze portions. Meal prepping saves a lot of money when you have everything planned for the week.

I find little things can save a lot on costs. Even doing a list to follow when food shopping saves money when you buy what you don't really need when you go blank in the shop.

Also your homeschooling..does your child have an echp? It means you can acquire assistance homeschooling, also join FB groups on homeschooling, there is discount for homeschooling families in regards to outings and tutoring. You can also get a lot of advice from families in your position who have already gone through it.

How close to passing driving test?

The people moaning that people with disabled children getting money..
The benefit system has changed in recent years. I use to be on a low wage many years ago and wasn't entitled and had to houseshare. UC is no longer on hours of work those who work can get "top up" you can also get "top up" if you own a property, you just don't get the housing element. So if you have a disabled child, even if working full time, you too can apply, your child will qualify for some support.

I don't qualify now as a two income household but I wouldn't begrudge a family dealing with significant disabilities money..I don't think you realise until you experience it the added costs disabilities incur..even down to food you buy depending on the nature of a disability. Even carers in many circumstances you pay a percentage towards carers that are deemed necessary by a care plan created by the hospital.
So sure you can acquire the same income, not work and not have any qualifications.. just get a significant disability and be forced to change your lifestyle to cater to your disability..
Also not everyone on benefits gets much..its generally only disability elements. Or if your on UC for that 85% cash back on nursery fees but then again you don't get that money it goes to the nursery.

I understand that, however, @Threeinyellow has that no point stated that she received DLA for her children. She has stated that there are additional needs. And it doesn’t really matter whether she gets DLA or not, but she could’ve said that if they’re very beginning, it would’ve made things a lot clearer

Very unlikely to be getting £2k a month UC if she's not in receipt of DLA. She probably didn't feel she has to explain the minutiae of exactly what her income is.

to be honest not much was clear in the initial post…

There is every likelihood that OP earns £2k a month as she is working 33 hours a week , plus maintenance and then UC of which a big part of that will be rent allowance. It may well be she gets little if anything related to children's special needs- see have no idea what they are - the idea she is set there getting £2k plus worth of UC doing sweet fanny Adams simply isn't the case at the moment

Won't help to save now end as you will no longer be earning enough to be eligible,plus the union,so that's £60,pause the child trust fund too,obviously mobile phone contracts depend on how much contract is left but I'd get cheaper as soon as you can,do you have a too good to waste food scheme where you live to hopefully lower food costs a bit.
I wouldn't cancel dental unless you can all sign up to an NHS dentist which may be unlikely,you could get in touch with compa ies who you owe debt to and ask for an interest freeze as lost your job,they'd prefer some money over none.
I don't 100% agree with dropping driving lessons,especially if being able to drive will improve employment prospects,maybe drop a lesson a month.

Absolutely, I understand why the @Threeinyellow needs to stop work for a while. It is absolutely horrible bringing up a child with special needs alone with no support. I did it and it has affected my health

I have twins, 1 of them with autism. Single mum no help. The people castigated you have NO IDEA what it is to take care of special needs child . Are some time off work and get your head together

So you get about £2k a month in benefits??

She owes no additional explanation to anyone. If interested, it’s easy enough to use a benefits calculator to deduce what’s going on.

No I do not get as much as that.

I work, I want to continue working. I earn a decent salary and enjoy what I do.

I am a single mother and there is currently no DLA coming in.

This is just making it all more unclear @Threeinyellow you said your income is 3290 and that you are losing 1k from employment. So that leaves 2290 income - 280ish for CM which leaves 2000. So where does that come from. Not that it actually matters but I’m just making my point that it’s all very inclear.

Will you not be subject to the benefit cap then if you give up work?

Would you rather my DC and I starve to death or enter servitude at the local manor house? I do not want to give up work!

Yes it would. Which is why I would need to look at working evenings or weekends, really.

I never said anything about you not deserving the money @Threeinyellow I’m just saying it would have been easier to understand your situation had you explained it properly.