Anyone who has ever tried to claim a benefit or register for any sort of tax category - whether it's Tax Credits or simply as self employed, will be able to tell you it can be a minefield to the uninitiated.
My first piece of advice is this....If you can avoid situations where you will need to claim any sort of benefit or tax credit . Then Do! The moment you sign a tax credit, job seekers allowance, ESA or income support form youa are giving the UK government permission to get copies of all your bank Statements, Credit card statements, energy bills, television subscriptions (including TV licening), phone bills, medical records, mobile phone records relating to your movements, as well as your vehicle licensing, email accounts, employee records. You name it.
If your privacy is dear and you have to make a claim, then once you are well off enough to leave the bnefits system behind and move, Do so. Change your bank. Change your car, your phone provider - both mobile and landline, email provider and of course in most cases you'll have a new job.
There will be posts on this blog about benefits such as Income support, ESA, Carers allowance, DLA, Housing Benefit, in work benefits too as such as working tax credit and Child tax credit.
You will also find articles that cover basic survival. If you do not watch live television, then you should not be paying for a tv licence, Thats £145 per year back in your pocket.
I'll also cover simple things like houseplants that you can eat.Freeganism, methods of getting food free. How to get a free coffee from McDonalds and so on. Over time you will discover how easy it is to save huge amounts of money.
When is the black economy truly black? Without it many would not survive. Why it is important and how not to get drawn into the dark depths of the illegal black economy.
Tax and benefits
