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Underpaid JSA?

February 7, 2016, 4:53 pm
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Hello!

Before phoning the JobCentre and potentiially wasting limited funds, I thought I would come here.

I was released from a temporary contract on the 16th of January. By this time I had already started my JSA Rapid Reclaim. I received a letter soon after saying that my claim would start on the 18th of January.

On the 26th Jan went to the job centre on the tuesday for a short interview where I also signed.

Two weeks later (wednesday just gone), I attended a wednesday signing as normal on the 3rd of Feb. While I was there, I asked the guy signing me on if the money would be back dated to the start of my claim. He said it would be.


Today (Monday), however, I have only been paid £104.

Am I missing something, or should I have at least three weeks' worth of JSA owing to me?
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Working Tax Credit

February 7, 2016, 11:45 pm
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Working tax credit benefits the people who work and are low on income. I've seen various criterion of this credit such as that you should work for a certain numbers of hours to qualify. From 25 to 59 age group people, the work should be done for at least 30 hours a week, 16 hours from people aged 60 or over, including those who are disabled. And there is no set income limit for working tax credit as it depends upon some of your circumstances.
I would like to know more in this regard. Any highlights?
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Advice on tax credits please

February 8, 2016, 12:46 am
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Hello

I have 2 disabled children which we receive tax credits for. My question is, what is the tax credits income limit threshold please. I don't work, I'm their carer, my husband earns about 28k, both are severely disabled and get the severe tax credits premium. My husband says a new bonus system may be put in place at his work which is great, but my concern is the tax credits, I have tried looking online and can't find the actual figure. Any help greatly appreciated.
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Meals on Wheels subsidy

February 21, 2016, 5:36 am
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Both my mother and father receive meals on wheels. My father is 80% paralysed where he can only move the left arm and neck upwards. He has carers which hoist him into his electric chair every morning where he would sit for a maximum of 2 hours due to having previous bedsores. Recently in Oct he was reassessed for social care and support.
At the start of this year I got a call form the community centre who supplies and deliver his meals each day. The lady there told me my fathers meals were no longer being subsidized by the council and he would need to pay the full price of £4.75 per day instead of the usual £3.65. And this maybe need to be back dated from the start of November.
We get invoiced every month by the community centre and if there is a increase in price a letter is sent to us through the centre but which is written by the council Non-residential Charging team.
I called our social worker to find out what was going on, Her initial reply was that the council have stopped subsidizing meals until I pointed out it was still being advertised through the councils website and that my mother is still receives her discounted rate. She then went on to tell me the discount only applies to one person per household. I told her I knew of other elderly couples who receive two. Then she replied that because during the assessment I mentioned to her that my father has been going out around the block in his electric wheelchair, if he can do that then his is more then capable of using the microwave and making himself a snack therefore he is not eligible for the discount.I told her my father cant even get into the fridge with one hand let alone make a snack. She disagreed. I even told her that my fathers health is deteriorating he's becoming more delusional through infections. She ignored that and went on to tell me that she will talk with the community centre because she felt it was unfair that we should be made to to pay the full amount from November but just the other day my father received a invoice asking for backdated payments to make up the difference.

My father has been receiving subsidized meals for many years and this is the first time it has stopped. I feel he is being unfairly treated but I'm not sure how to go about getting it resolved. And if this has happened to my father I dread to think how many other vulnerable people are being targeted this way.
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NHS Presciption charge notice

February 21, 2016, 9:15 am
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Neighbour has just received a NHS prescription charges notice as "they did not qualify for FREE NHS prescriptions during November 2015". They normally apply for a 12 month Prepayment Certificate (as its cheaper) but it got overlooked by several months...:(
Breakdown is £8.20 for prescription charge
£41.00 for pehalty charge
TOTAL is £49.20.

Question is they had prescriptions in December 2015 and January 2016 (and every month before this).
If they pay tomorrow and then apply for a Prepayment Certificate starting tomorrow can they expect to receive a few more Penalty charge notices? :(
(Or alternatively would it be wise to backdate the PPC a month?)
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Child Tax Credits

February 21, 2016, 10:21 am
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Evening,

My partner and I receive CTC for our 3 children 5,4 & years old.

I am not looking at my career and wanting, like everyone to increase my salary. I just wondered what salary earnings affect how much much we would receive etc?

We are both working, low salary jobs (roughly 23k between us) and just wanted an understanding of thresesolds or where I could access this information.

Thanks for reading.
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Advice as to what to do regarding cancer and stress

February 21, 2016, 10:41 am
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Hi there, looking for a bit of advice as to what to do.

In October i had a bit of a health scare, it took until december to finally get a diagnosis of a type of lung cancer.

Since then i have been in and out of hospital getting scans and procedures done, due to the location of the cancer it cant be removed, they are in the process of cuting it back, with the intent of doing chemo in a short while to try eradicate it, however according to my specialist ultimately the whole lung will need removed and then he doubts it will not have spread to the join of the other lung.

I am working full time (50 odd hours), i took a week off sick for one procedure and will be having another off in a few weeks for another.
I get 3 months full pay and 6 months 50%.

Now, physically i have been feeling breathless and far more easily exhausted than normal, however i am really starting to feel the pressure mentally, i am for the most part ok at work, as in i can still do my job, however one staff member has said they feel i am more irritable and arent happy i am "taking my problems out on them", as far as i am aware this wasnt the case, and no one else i spoke to has said my attitude has changed.

But they are right in the aspect that it is affecting me, i am constantly worried, and dread going in to work each day dealing with narky customers.

My worry now is money, i am in a DRO at the moment which ends mid May, i have next to nothing left at the moment, my car is up for MOT in May, and really it wont pass, and i cant afford a new one, or the repairs, i tried getting to work via public transport and i could only last 10 minutes and i started getting chest pains and felt faint, i had to get off and was hyperventilating, i called a friend who picked me up and i went to work.

Im really worried now i am going to lose my job, or need to leave if i cant afford a car and cant get public transport.

when i am off work i just lay in bed all day and watch telly,i dont want to leave anymore as i feel i have no future.

I have posted here before as i have had other issues with this and my girlfriend has bi-polar.

I looked up benefits and all i can see would be PIP, but i doubt if i am fit enough t work that they would give me that.

Does anyone have any advice please.

Thank you.
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DWP has shredded my Birth Certificate

February 22, 2016, 2:28 am
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Hi guys, I made a successful claim for PIP in july of last year, during the course of which I sent off my certificate and divorce papers. I requested that they be returned to me and have been told that they can only send copies as the originals have been shredded!
Has this happened to anyone else and how do I raise a formal complaint as the call-centre staff will not assit?
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Benefits help please.

February 22, 2016, 4:23 am
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Niece has received a housing benefit letter which she can't understand so can anyone help please?
They say that she has been overpaid by £1442 but can't see how so hope someone here can help, here are the figures used by the housing.
Earned income. £107.20
Less disregard. -£42.10

Child benefit. £34.40
Less disregard. -£34.40

Child tax credit. £242.70 ????
Working tax credit. £114.39 ????? (Actual figure for both is £211.89p/w)
£44.40 is disregarded for child care payment
Total used in calculation. £377.79
Less amounts to live on with 2 kids £224.35
Excess income. £153.44
LHA £126.58
Less 66% excess income £99.74
Weekly benefit award £26.84

Is it possible that they have made mistakes in their figures please as the actual amount she receives each week from tax credits is only £211.89. Thanks.
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Childcare Voucher Refund - success?

February 22, 2016, 4:27 am
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Hi, my personal circumstances changed a few years ago and I have not needed to fund childcare through the childcare voucher scheme. I have a large amount of money still in a scheme and wondered if anyone has ever successfully gained a refund. I will happily pay any tax due, but the value is too much to just wave goodbye to. Many thanks for any help anyone can offer.
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carers

February 22, 2016, 6:37 am
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in april because of the national living wage will people lose carers allowance?
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pip

February 22, 2016, 7:11 am
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hi

my wife is on esa
and has been award pip standard daily rate and enhanced mobility rate

we have a non dependant at home that is working and pays towards rent

will my son still have to pay towards rent

and will we still have to pay bedroom tax as we have spare room

thank you
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Disability benefits

February 22, 2016, 10:34 am
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Hello all,

I've have a few canvassing calls lately regarding a free boiler if me or anyone I'm our household is claiming benefits, not sure if this is the latest scam or if its genuine?

My father-in-law lives with us, hi is 67 and he had a stroke 4 years ago and receives the higher rate disability payments

Can anyone tell me what, if anything we would be entitled to, boiler, cavity wall etc. and any other benefits we might be missing out on?

Many thanks

Grant
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Benefits, Tax Credits & Small Business Startup???

February 22, 2016, 12:17 pm
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Hi all,

I hope I'm posting in the right place here.I have a question.

I am a single parent, working 20 hours a week for an employer (actually probably more like 40 with unpaid work I end up doing but let's not get into that!!). I work these hours to fit around school runs and my child.

I have worked in this field since before I had my child and am now in a position to be able to provide specialist support, advice and consultancy for other businesses. Not only that but the opportunities at the moment seem to be prolific. However, as yet, I haven't taken these opportunities because I'm stuck in minefield with regards to tax credits and housing benefits.

I have no problem paying tax & NI, I also don't have an issue with the amount of entitlement I am eligible for reducing if my income increases BUT...

1) I don't want to put in a huge amount of work and see little if any financial reward. Yes I understand that I don't want to be/shouldn't be a burden on the tax payer but putting in many more hours and seeing little financial improvement would demoralising and dejecting to say the least.

2) and more importantly....I have had many dealings with my local council with regard to housing benefit. Here are some examples
- I received a fairly meagre payrise, duly sent in my payslips and evidence, the housing benefit office put the . in the wrong place and decided I was earning X thousand pounds per month instead of X hundred pounds. They demanded money from me and withheld my housing benefit. I pointed out their error, it took the best part of 3 months to sort out, whilst I remained struggling to pay my rent (I had to get a short term loan...not ideal!)

- I get very minimal child maintenance paid to me in cash (sometimes!). On one occasion I paid this into my bank to cover bills over Christmas, when the council wanted my bank statements, I highlighted this as child maintenance (which isn't supposed to be taken into account for my housing benefit) and received a 17 page document from the council listing all the overpayments they thought they had made and asking me for thousands of pounds to redress the balance. It took 2 months and several letters & calls before this was sorted out.

- I had no change in personal circumstance so hadn't submitted anything to the council for some time. Usually they send me annual forms to check my status, they hadn't this time. Then one day I received a letter saying they were stopping my benefits unless I could prove my status. I phoned them to say I could bring down proof immediately, they said this wouldn't be soon enough to ensure my benefit would be paid. I ended up in tears on the phone asking how I would pay my rent, they suggested I "stand on my own two feet".

So you can see why I am reluctant to submit a varying income if I were to take on more work as I am concerned the council will assume I will be X amount better off EVERY month, which may not be the case, and stop my benefits or ask me for my money back.

I considered starting a business and taking a regular salary of the same amount each month but I'd have to be sure the business could give me that and not sure if I could do this as a sole trader?? If not, wouldn't I have to get involved with NI, pension etc?

Sorry for a lengthy post but PLEASE PLEASE can someone advise? I have the skills, ability and opportunity to earn more, reduce my burden on the taxpayer and hopefully provide a more secure financial future for myself and my child but I'm afraid I will end up worse off or tearing my hair out over the complexities it involves.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

S
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Signing -on, while sick.

February 23, 2016, 1:28 am
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Could i ask some advice from anyone in the know ?
I'm on JSA and going to Ingeus the work programme, i'm having a hard time with them at the moment and went to my Gp who gave me a note for a month. Took it into my local JC and so don't need to 'sign' But Ingeuus have phoned, twice now and also written saying doesn't matter you're signed off you have to do what we tell you, turn up for this new appointment we're giving you or risk getting sanctioned.
Over the last couple of weeks i've asked this same question on another forum i use and most answers have been they're not allowed to insist you go in while there's a valid doctors note. They must follow the lead of the JC. Yesterday i went to our local Welfare Rights Office just to settle my mind, lady there says, it doesn't seem right, but Yes they can make you go.
It's bl00dy Ingeus that's making me feel sick !! That's why i went to see my doctor in the first place.
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Any know anything about housing benefit?

February 23, 2016, 2:09 am
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Basically overpaid in tax credits (see other thread) so they are suspended until April, we currently get £20 a month housing benefit but with a drop of £800 income per month we have been told HB will stay the same, is this right? I though it would go up
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Private Lease Car for disabled - VAT Free?

February 23, 2016, 2:15 am
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Hi all

Someone i know is trying to get a private lease deal on a new car. They are disabled and entitled to vat free purchase of an adapted car, but are being told no to a vat free lease from lots of dealers.

According to link below, it also applies to leasing, so why is he getting nowhere? Anyone know the ins and outs of this issue?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/389229/vat1615.pdf

"You can purchase, lease or hire an adapted motor vehicle VAT-free when all the following conditions are met:"

Thanks

Brighty
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Access to work

February 23, 2016, 3:05 am
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How does the Access to Work scheme work in terms of help travelling to work by other means? Do the DWP take away what a fare would be if using say the train? Can't find anything on how this aspect of the Access to Work scheme works.
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Unemployed - on JSA & H/Benefit but can't survive!

February 23, 2016, 3:28 am
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Following the end of a Fixed Term Contract with my employer, I have had to go on benefits until I can find another job. I don't intend being on benefits for long as I like working, but need to survive in the short-term. I live in a 2 bed flat with my daughter who is 18 and working part-time, but no longer in education. She pays me £150/month for keep and intends to work full-time following a 7 week back-packing holiday in May.

I have been awarded Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) of £73.10/week and Housing Benefit (HB) of £77.97/week. However, as she is earning and no longer in education, they have deducted £75.05/week from my HB. This means I only have £754.28 every 4 weeks coming in (including my daughters contribution) to pay rent of £700 and bills of £400. I have applied for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) but am still waiting to hear 2.5 weeks later.

So the end result is not enough money to pay all the bills and NO money for food and fuel!

If anyone knows of anything else to help, please let me know, as I'm desperate! :cry::(:sad::mad::shocked:
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Tax Credits and new 2016 savings interest allowance

February 23, 2016, 7:34 am
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I love the great news that I can keep £1000 of savings interest tax free from April, 2016. However, I have looked on all sorts of sites for information regarding this news and its connection to tax credits declarations.

I have an isa and I know I don't have to declare anything about that, but does anybody know what is going to have to be declared with an ordinary account please?

Or anything to do with it? I am thinking of moving my Halifax isa(1%) interest to a higher yielding easy access account, but I daren't because I don't know what may need to be declared to the tax credit office.

Would be grateful for any answers. Maybe it's a question for Martin or someone who works at tax credits? Thanks x
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