coin of the realm

[Troll]

After a tea-break natter t`other day, I worked out that I take home just over 10 grand a year. Most of the peeps out there in trench-land I suspect, struggle to pay rent on that cupboard sized room in a shared house and, if really careful with their hard-earned cash, run some rotting sh*t heap of a vehicle too. I suppose I`m after a bit of advice really, if we are to continue to be seen in equivalent value margins to that of an average toilet cleaner, are there systems out there to soften the blow? Can we claim some state benefits to bring us at least, up to the living standards of the long-term unemployed? Can we apply for help with rent? Council (stealth) tax? If anyone out there has jumped through these loops before, please, lets have the info.....

[1man1desk]

The only real solution I know of in Margaret Blair's (or is that Tony Thatcher's?) Britain is this: claw your way up the greasy pole, leaving the bloody, broken bodies of your contemporaries behind, until you get somewhere with more money and security.

There is some extra state help available for the low-paid, but stuff I know about is mostly for families (tax credits, etc). I was measured for shackles 20 years ago, so it is a long time since I needed to know about benefits for single people, which I guess includes most of the younger site staff.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

[mercenary]

Yeah, have a family man. There seem to be all sorts of benefits for low paid families, but sweet FA for poor archaeologists who have avoided children due to poverty.

[muddyandcold]

One way that I have found to claim alittle bit back is to apply for the tax back for essential work items. This applys even if you are employed. Basically, you can claim the tax back for everything that is essential for your job:

work clothes,
mobile phone + calls
fuel allowance (getting to and fro from site, as the unit office is usually your place of work)
internet access (after all as an archaeologist you are expected to keep up to date on research)
a room in your house as an office (for your research)
percentage of your council tax, fuel and home phone bill etc.
breakfast, lunch allowance

There is a specific form and booklet from the tax office, and process takes about two weeks from application to receiving your cheque. You can back claim up to five years!!! Once you have made your first claim, you no longer need the form (although you can if you wish)

I learnt this trick from a tax officer who was volenteering on my site one summer. He was quite frankly horrified at our pay, conditions and that no one was claiming their entitlements!!

If anyone wants further details of help feel free to email me. I will also dig out the form code...

The governement takes,takes takes, So spread the word and get some back.

[achingknees]

Hi Muddy

Heard such rumours years ago but didn't know if anybody had been successful in such applications. Please post more info. Anybody else tried this?

My advice - packed lunches rather than greasy spoon or bought sarnies! Saves a few hundred per year.