I’m trying to get a job at the moment, but it feels like the more I try to get out of my situation, the more barriers I face. I have the opportunity of doing some part-time work but if I make any changes to my circumstances it could have an effect on the benefits I get. I wouldn’t get as much help with housing benefit – I live in a privately rented, two-bedroom house – so I’d have to make up the rent shortfall. On top of that, if I continued to live where I do now I would need to pay the under-occupancy charge, otherwise known as the bedroom tax.
This is upsetting as my child comes home from university every other weekend, and during holidays, but when I called an advice line for people who are struggling financially and asked where they could sleep, the man on the phone suggested “the sofa?” When I looked online, it seemed that families with children at university would not be penalised. So I’m trying to get help and advice, but it’s hard when you’re given false information.
