money struggle!

[ta16811]

Im a lone parent of 1 i live on benefits. Iv been struggling for a long time now & i just cant cope.
Now winter is comeing i knw i have xtra to find of gas, dark nights mean more electric :( & we wont even start on xmas!
Im no longer payin any debt!
I pay out 480 rent 13 house insurance 45-50 a month phone bill (alot i knw) bad weather gas 100 to120 electric 40-50 C/tax 6 kid groups 4 tv licence 25 water 38 < because i got behind, travel 20 total = 771
I get H/B 400 I/S 254 c/t/c 248 C/B 82. Total 984
I no longer get my 20 a month child matance! Because he forgot to sign on!
I have 213 a month for food & clothes + savein for birthdays/xmas
I need xtra money from sumwhere but cant even afford a lotto ticket :( lol
To make things more anoyin is when a workin couple get nearly as much in benefits as me plus there wage! Feel like im bein punished for bein a lone parent & findin work is so hard never mind a job that fits around child care hours
Sorry, just needed a rant! & HELP? :(

what working couple get as much in benefits??

Sorry but think you're overestimating what a working couple might egt in benefits. Grass is always greener. Your fuel, water and phone sound very high and tv licence should only be 12 pcm. Great you are out of debt but perhaps see someone at CAB about budgeting and best choices for tariffs. How old is your dc ? What about finding a course to help you regain confidence and skills to apply for jobs when he is older.

Are you sure you're claiming everything that you're entitled to? www.turn2us.org.uk has a good benefits checker, for example. It may be difficult finding work but please remember that, if you can get a part-time job, WTC +CTC is a lot more generous than Income Support and a lot of your child-care costs would be covered. Worth running a 'what if' through the same website.

In the meantime, do you have friends and family that could help you out?

If you can find a job working just 16 hours a week you will be much better off with wtc, and would also get most of your childcare costs covered.

Cut your phone bill - who are you ringing? And tv licence should only be around £12 too.

Don't you get council tax benefit?

Why does your housing benefit not cover your rent? - is it possible to move somewhere cheaper?

£213 a month for clothes and food is quite a lot for 2 people, what are your grocery bills like every month? Is there any way you could cut them down at all? You could try cheaper recipes, such as those on the MSE Old-style board.

How big is your house? It souds like you are using a lot of gas/elec - can you move to a cheaper tariff or do you have a prepayment meter.

I would try to move to a cheaper phone tariff too.

It is horrid being on long term benefits i have been on JSA for about 18 months now, the day to day stuff is ok but i never have money to buy things like new clothes for me, i have found a few things helpful. Do you qualify for the warm home discount? Im now with British gas on prepayment and they will give me £150 credit on electric meter in the winter as im a single mum on benefits i just called them and did it over the phone. I have also just sold lots old lego and stuff on ebay got about £100, has your child out grown any toys you can sell? Use cash back websites when you buy anything, got £90 for switching to British gas. BT do a special deal for people on benefits you pay £4.95 a month line rental and get that in calls then you can get their basic internet from added on i pay £15 a month phone bill, i top up my prepay mobile £5 a month as well and use that to call/text anyone. Finally if you really need winter clothes or big items i would get a budget loan. I got £400 before last xmas paid for new coats/boots and xmas. I pay back £7 a week out of JSA. The Money saving expert boards have good advice on how to save/make extra money.