General Benefit Questions....

Elliot6267 · 8 Dec 2010 at 23:52

Here is my situation:

I work for minimum wage, I get an unsecured amount of hours each week. I can usually bump them to around 30[ish]. this leaves me with about as much money as a pauper... what when you take rent/bills/car/general living out of the equation.

my mother suggested I apply for a working tax credit. but here is the kicker.
as I have had the sense to wear a condom, and not get anyone pregnant, and I've also had the good fortune to not have any illness or disability, I cannot claim any benefits until I'm 25!. and by then I really don't want to be in this situation still!

so yeah, my question is, are there any benefits out there to help people like me, who work hard, and get pretty much nothing in return?

doofer · 8 Dec 2010 at 23:55

You sound like a Single Working British Male, you are entitled to NOTHING from your Country, except maybe a Conscription in the event of a War.

Zodar · 8 Dec 2010 at 23:57

Elliot6267 said:
Here is my situation:

I work for minimum wage, I get an unsecured amount of hours each week. I can usually bump them to around 30[ish]. this leaves me with about as much money as a pauper... what when you take rent/bills/car/general living out of the equation.

my mother suggested I apply for a working tax credit. but here is the kicker.
as I have had the sense to wear a condom, and not get anyone pregnant, and I've also had the good fortune to not have any illness or disability, I cannot claim any benefits until I'm 25!. and by then I really don't want to be in this situation still!

so yeah, my question is, are there any benefits out there to help people like me, who work hard, and get pretty much nothing in return?

Responsible people get squat. Get with the program.

Danthus · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:00

Bump it up to 30 hours a week? Why was the question about benefits and not what you can do to improve your lot?

Elliot6267 · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:00

thats what I figured.

sucks!

Elliot6267 · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:01

OldCoals said:
Bump it up to 30 hours a week? Why was the question about benefits and not what you can do to improve your lot?

Its a temperamental rota, sometimes I'll get low hours, sometimes I'll get OK hours, I tend to be the guy who will cover any and all shifts... I even do some temping jobs on my days off

garyfl · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:02

maybe try living with your mother for a short while to accumulate some back funds, try doing work out of hours, maybe set up your own business, if you can fix pcs advertise it and get some cash in hand work done. dont know what to suggest for you pal

seems you have to be unfortunate to be fortunate

jp_bl_68 · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:05

Not sure about benefits but perhaps you should start looking for a new job.

I'm in a similar situation to you (minimum wage, not enough hours). It's not too bad at the moment. The busy Christmas period has bumped my hours up to 45-55 per week but come January they might drop back down to 30. If that happens I'll definitely be looking for another job if my current employer can't get me any more work.

Elliot6267 · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:07

been on the look for a while. nothing really going. plus I'm hoping to go back to uni next year to do a PCGE, least then hopefully there will be more jobs available to me

MeatLoaf · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:11

If you do 30 hours a week then you qualify for working tax credits.

jp_bl_68 · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:11

Are there any opportunities for further training at your current job?

Elliot6267 · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:11

MeatLoaf said:
If you do 30 hours a week then you qualify for working tax credits.

not 25 bud...

garyfl · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:13

if your thinking of teaching, then that also is a dire place to be, teaching was what i wanted to do when i left uni, but i got told the wages are horrendous, £18,000 - 20,000 to teach level 3 etc, you might think this is a lot, but when you go through a levels, a degree and a pcge you expect a little more than this.

MeatLoaf · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:14

Elliot6267 said:
not 25 bud...

That sucks. Have you applied to see if you can get some of your rent / council tax paid?

Elliot6267 · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:16

MeatLoaf said:
That sucks. Have you applied to see if you can get some of your rent / council tax paid?

the website basically said "go **** yourself"

in a less polite way of course

2bit · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:17

garyfl said:
if your thinking of teaching, then that also is a dire place to be, teaching was what i wanted to do when i left uni, but i got told the wages are horrendous, £18,000 - 20,000 to teach level 3 etc, you might think this is a lot, but when you go through a levels, a degree and a pcge you expect a little more than this.

'i' should be 'I'. Teacher?

muon · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:18

Elliot6267 said:
not 25 bud...

Yep, but I don't see how people under the age of 25 can't get a full-time job if they really tried.

I know people who have come from abroad as students who are pretty poor at English (able to work 20hrs a week during term time and full-time out of term), have jobs. They do it to pay for the degree they are taking. No way you should be losing to these people in the hunt for pub jobs, catering jobs etc.

edit:

Before anyone says anything, they are paid at least minimum wage £5.93/hr. Most earn a quid or 2 more.

edit2:

The Universal credit system which will be introduced might help you though, depending on how its structured. You might be over 25 by 2013 anyway though.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/legislation-and-key-documents/universal-credit/

2bit · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:28

Elliot6267 said:
Here is my situation:

I work for minimum wage, I get an unsecured amount of hours each week. I can usually bump them to around 30[ish]. this leaves me with about as much money as a pauper... what when you take rent/bills/car/general living out of the equation.

my mother suggested I apply for a working tax credit. but here is the kicker.
as I have had the sense to wear a condom, and not get anyone pregnant, and I've also had the good fortune to not have any illness or disability, I cannot claim any benefits until I'm 25!. and by then I really don't want to be in this situation still!

so yeah, my question is, are there any benefits out there to help people like me, who work hard, and get pretty much nothing in return?

I have nothing solid to offer but you obviously have intelligence and some sarcastic wit which bodes well. Keep working hard and try to impress your employers. Good luck.

muon · 9 Dec 2010 at 00:42

garyfl said:
if your thinking of teaching, then that also is a dire place to be, teaching was what i wanted to do when i left uni, but i got told the wages are horrendous, £18,000 - 20,000 to teach level 3 etc, you might think this is a lot, but when you go through a levels, a degree and a pcge you expect a little more than this.

Considering average graduate salaries

http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/cms/Show...e_average_graduate_starting_salary_/p!epmglcg

it isn't too bad

http://www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/salary/pay-and-benefits.aspx

Certain subjects get helpful small bonuses as well I believe.

[Slip] · 9 Dec 2010 at 09:16

Question : Does the OP think that he is entitled to some benefits or some sort?

From your description (granted, I don't know your situation and am judging on a few sentences) but you seem a sensible sort of chap who's perfectly able to find work and build a life himself...

In my eyes that's why you don't get any benefits... The benefit system should be protecting the weak etc not helping those that can do it themselves.

That's not to say that others don't abuse the system but that's not an excuse to all jump on the band wagon.

Keep going mate... honestly... you'll get your rewards.