Making a cautious start - not sure I've grasped the basic technicalites. I am 'celebrating' the first year anniversary of my unemployment having been made redundant last year by starting this blog.
I was a public sector worker supporting children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulites. Now I have a few pieces of work every now and then but need to rely on job seekers allowance/ tax credits until something more substantial comes up.
I am a single parent and have worked full time all my adult life in the public sector until last year. Now I am a bit old and a bit expensive to walk into another job easily. I would be happy to consider a lower paid job than I had previously, but clearly do not want to default on my mortgage and need to pay basic bills. It has been a salutory experience being technically 'poor' for a year and feel the urge to share my experiences and reflections.
Having a low income is not just about worrying about buying food and meeting basic costs. I am already experiencing how it affects every aspect of your life, your self esteem and that of your children. So far I have been able to supplement my income with redundancy money, but that has now gone. It has taken a year to negotiate the benefit system to claim basic survival costs. Initally my income has been £60.50 JSA (£7 a week stopped because my name is on a former partners mortgage from which I recieve no gain) and £20 a week child benefit. I am beginning to admire the famed 'Daily Mail benefit scroungers' they must have genius level IQs to work out how to claim any more. My basic outgoings are over £1,000 a month. You see the problem?!
Joy of joys I have now been compelled to sign up for the Work Programme so that G4S can help me find work. looking forward to my induction appointment next week. Looking promising as the person who just rang to book the appointment said "Most of it will probably be irrelevant to you as you are obviously well qualified". Hope they pay my travel costs!!
