Advice for new refugees: budgeting
You will normally get paid once a month. The amount you will get paid from employment depends on your age. Find National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates on GOV.UK.
Each time you are paid, your employer must give you a payslip showing how much you worked, how much you were paid, and how much tax and national insurance were deducted. The amount of tax and national insurance deducted from your pay depends on how much you are paid. To understand how much tax and national insurance will be deducted from your pay you can use an online tax calculator.
The cost of living in the UK is high, if you are unable to afford food and other essential items see our 'support in West Berkshire' page.
Universal credit
If you get Universal Credit, your standard allowance award will also depend on your age and circumstances. Find out more about what you'll get on Universal Credit on GOV.UK. If you work but still have a low income, you may still receive Universal Credit. Use an online benefits calculator to understand if you will still receive any benefits whilst you are working:
Help with debt
If you are in debt, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt help provide free debt help. They help thousands of people get out of debt every year, giving them confidence to deal with any future difficulties.
Their free debt help service is face-to-face and run through local churches.
Items to consider when budgeting
Income:
- wages (after tax and national insurance)
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child Benefit
- pension
- other benefits, for example: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- income from other adults in the house
Expenses:
- rent
- Council Tax
- water charges
- electricity and gas
- insurance
- food and household items
- travel or car costs
- mobile phone bills
- entertainment subscriptions
- clothing
- prescriptions
- child care
- loans or debts
> Next page: support in West Berkshire.
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