BBS in another thread you said that you are unable to claim state financial assistance because in order to do so you would have to attend state organised work training days or some such, you said that because your children are home schooled, you and your spouse were unable to attend the required days. Obviously I don't know why you prefer to home school, but is it worth considering sending your kids to school in order to free up your days so that you can get some kind of cash in? Until such time as you are in a better financial position at least. Your kids might even enjoy the change.