Benefits and morality

[Scarlett]

My best friend and her partner both stay at home to raise their 2 small kids. He is in his 50s and cannot find work. They rely on benefits. She has been offered some well paid teaching work, just 3 hours a week. She is worried though, that if she does this, they will deduct all the money from her benefit, and therefore there is no point to doing the work. She would have to travel a long way and do a lot of preparation. Her partner is pressurising her to just stay at home, but she wants the challenge.

Is the government really stupid? Do they not see that people like my pal are avoiding work because if the upset it would do to her benefits?

Or is there some trick that I don't know about, that other people in this situation do?

[helliebobs]

Scarlett, what benefit is your friend getting? Depending on what she claims he could look at doing something called permitted work which is almost like a work taster. She can stay on her benefits and do a few hours and I think she can do this for up to 1 year.

http://www.workways.org.uk/Permitted%20Work%20Rules.htm

try looking at this webpage or on www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

There are organisations available which help people on benefits get back into work - I know because i work for one but I don't suppose I can advertise it on a website like this!!

[mimififi]

It would be best for your friend to speak to a benefits advisor. There are more and more back to work incentives for people now so there might be away round it. Also, the 3 hours a week might gradually get increased and put them in a better position in the long run especially when the children are much older and looking at higher education themselves.

It might be prudent for to speak to an advisor and see if there is a way round it. They are often much more forthcoming face to face.

However, as it is so few hours, even if their benefits get reduced, they will still be eligble for all the other benefits such as housing benefit, council tax benefit, free prescriptions etc that they will still be able to claim and so the difference may be neglible.

I hope it works out for your friend, what an awful situation to be in. The work may increase their self esteem though and the sense of self worth. I know only too well how awful it is to be so reliant on benefits, it can make you feel very low.

Wish her well for me.

[goindoolally]

I think she is allowed to earn some money without it affecting her benefit, just not sure how much. She could ring the benefits office to explain saying something along the lines of - I've heard of a job just 3 hours a week for �_.__ per hour, I've not applied yet and was wondering how it would affect my benefit.

I rang them, quite a few year ago now, to enquire how a change in my circumstances would affect my benefit and they did tell me.

[helliebobs]

just to add to this - the advisors at the job centre can do a thing called In work benefit calculation, which may be what goindoolally is referring to. It will work out if you would be better off with the job or staying on your benefits.

[patc7641]

As an Adviser in a Jobcentre, all u ABers should take notice of why we are on strike yesterday and today. The government are looking to axe 30,000 (thirty thousand) of us in a move to improve (!!!!) customer service. So all the things you have suggested are correct, however there may not be enough staff to assist people as mentioned in the thread above. Also do not believe the rubbish about gold plated civil servants, many staff are on @�13000 -�20000a year and are very overworked.

[PhilBy]

There is specific help for the exact circumstances you speak of Scarlet, I know they will be entitled to child tax credit but as for other benefits I suggest they contact their nearest benefit office.. She should also register as a supply teacher which should increase the 3 hours currently on offer.

[raysparx]

What do you mean he can't find work? there is work out there if he wants it,what you should say is they will be worse off by working,spongers are better off than workers, tell him to get off his fat axxe and find a job,he needs a kick up the jacksie. what sort of example is he to a kiddie???

[Dreaming]

Scarlett, as a lone parent myself and deparately trying to get back in to the work place (have posted questions in J&E) I have to go to the job centre to review my situation etc etc. If you friend is on Income Support, you have to work minimum of 16 hrs a week to qualify for working tax credit. Any less than that, then any benefit you receive will stop instantly.

It makes it very difficult for a lone parent to get back to work. And not all people who receive benefit want to be in this position. I really hate it.

But your friend has a partner, so thought maybe one of them could work as they have at least one parent there to look after the children. I think it would do you friend good to talk to an advisor, and if she can, then go for the job. It will benefit her self esteem and be good for the kids too. Good luck