This is one of the new rule changes. cbESA is now limited to a year only. After that one would need to qualify for irESA (income related). You could well be excluded from that by household income.

£307 would bring the WTC down to around £13 a week. If your friend wants to do his own calculation then tell him to try http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx which is much better than the direct gov calculator.

Oh and one more thing, if he has an overdraft tell him to open a basic bank account with another bank to get the benefits paid into.

Great, so make sure your friend has made a joint claim for tax credits and tell him to try for Housing Benefit. If in doubt, claim, is always a good rule.

WTC ~ working tax credit CTC ~ child tax credit

n.b. Your friend's right to claim Housing Benefit could also be affected by immigration status.

OK, no reply, so I've estimated the gross at £297.90 and assumed the pay was the same as last year. Based on the figures you've given a JOINT CLAIM for tax credits would roughly amount to an award of ~£76 per week made up of WTC ~£17 and CTC ~£59 there might also be an entitlement to housing benefit unless there is some capital you haven't mentioned.

What's the wife's gross income? Tax credits are calculated on gross, not net.

OK, If you have over £16,000 in capital assets, you will not qualify for Council Tax Benefit. My link above give info on bailiffs and walking possession. If you haven't let them in that is good. Lots of good advice re: concentrating on this priority debt in preference to non-priority.

Did you let them in last time? Do they have a walking possession agreement? Do you have a right to council tax benefit or any other benefits for that matter? http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/d_bailiffs.pdf

You don't say which benefits are involved or who has invited your mother to the interview. 'Must attend'? hmm! I suggest a reading of the following: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides/problems-with-benefits/how-to-handle-an-interview-under-caution/

Here's what the decision maker's guide says on the subject: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch11.pdf

They are investigating her based on information that has come to their notice. It sounds as though they will be looking at whether they were living together. There are a number of factors to consider. You say his main address is with his parents ~ is that where he receives all his mail? is that his address for voting? One can't live in two households at the same time. Where does / did he spend the majority of his time? Having a sexual relationship is not proof in itself although it will be an indicator. Their financial arrangements will also be considered, as will the stability of the relationship. The link I have provided gives lots of information on interviews under caution, but Mary really does need to get specialist advice concerning challenging a 'living together' decision and ought to be represented if she chooses to attend the interview.

An interview under caution should be considered in the same way as an interview in a police cell. Tell "Mary" to find a solicitor to represent her. This applies irrespective of how likely it is that co-habitation can be proved. More here: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides/problems-with-benefits/how-to-handle-an-interview-under-caution/

Are you aware of THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING v ASHBOURNE MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD ~ worth reading, if not. http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2011/1237.html OFT press release here: http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2011/92-11 and Q&A here: http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-enforcement/consumer-enforcement-completed/ashbourne/ams-qanda