Many of the clients I see are struggling to pay the bills due to welfare reform. One group less mentioned in the media is single people with no children, particularly those in part time work.
When they are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, it is slightly easier as they can get discounted travel, access the Jobcentre Discretionary Fund for help buying work related items such as work clothes, get full housing benefit and the maximum council tax reduction.
However, once they start part time work of over 16 hours a week, an aim we assume they should aspire to, their council tax bill rockets (at least in Brent), they lose their Jobseeker’s Allowance, travel costs increase (unless they are lucky enough to find a job in walking distance) and there will probably be extra costs such as work clothes and shoes, extra haircuts etc.
Their housing benefit will also decrease and they will face the ordeal of providing up to date payslips to the local authority on a monthly basis. Failure to submit on time often leads to an overpayment that has to be paid back. It is very difficult for people whose salary fluctuates to keep on top of this and any overpayment deduction puts a massive strain on their ability to pay rent.
Even without any debts, many of my clients in the above situation can only afford to spend very little on food – as low as £10 a week. All other costs are essential: gas, electricity, water, rent, council tax, phone, food, essential clothes, cleaning materials and toiletries. And my clients have no surplus income for any emergencies that may arise. They really are living on the breadline. Not to mention those who are affected by the bedroom tax as well.
Until the government can recognise and address the fact that £71.70 a week is not enough for a single person to pay for all of their essential items (pensioners are assumed to need £145.50 a week), single childless workers and single people on Jobseeker’s Allowance are going to be pushed deeper and deeper into poverty.
Advice on Welfare Reform 