Changing jobs - better career but less money, Advice please

[Valda]

I am currently doing shift work which boosts my money up to around 16000 a year. I am not happy in this job and am looking at changing career to working with people with learning disabilities. A couple of jobs I have recently applied for give NVQ training whilst you work but start at 12168 a year. I am currently renting my council flat and pay full rent. Is there any way of finding out if I would qualify for housing benefit? Many thanks if you can help.

[Peter Pedant]

Ring up and ask.

Most benefits nowadays thank god are not discretionary - that is some civil servant decides whether you deserve it or not.....if you qualify, you get it. It is just a question of your income.....

although i have to say 12 big ones sounds a little wealthy to qualify.

[mystress]

Hi Valda,

I don't want to be a downer,but I am on �76.00 a week Incapacity Benefit,and I don't receive FULL Rent Benefit(I have to pay about �8.00 a week of my own) so as PP says,I don't think that if you will be earning �12,168 per annum there is much chance.However,Rent Benefit is paid Pro Rata,so you MIGHT get a small amount,but of course it would not make up for the loss in earnings!

Just fill in the form,and wait and see.

[MadlySane]

Thanks for both your answers, my user name is different as I'm on another computer.

I expect I  will have to think of happiness and job satisfaction as better than a drop in salary. Thanks again.