Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-1-2017: Caligula

Bugger … !

I managed to have a word or two!

Remember, yesterday, I told you I qualify for Tax credits?

I was feeling pleased: as it looked like — under the UK’s tax collector’s rules — I qualified for a bit of extra money.

Unfortunately?

I thought having a double check with both my local Job Centre — and with the associated help-line — about it would be good.

After all, I’m still getting help in the form of Universal Credit: which goes towards my rent.

Apparently?   Apparently, and according to them?

I can’t claim Tax Credits!

It seems Tax credits are replaced by the various allowances in Universal Credit I’m on.

Bugger seems to just about cover it!

~≈®≈~

Oh, talking of work … ?

I was travelling home, last night: by train.

Nothing new there, I know.

But … ?

Just as we got to Shenfield, the next stop down the line from Brentwood, someone pulled the emergency handbrake: that forced the train to stop: when the last carriage, the one I was on, was some 10 foot from where it should be.

It turns out the chap who’d pulled it was having a panic attack: and a fear of enclosed spaces, like train carriages!

I’m sympathetic, I really am.

But also mildly annoyed.

I actually went past where the chap, and his friends, were: and could see they were trying to another friend out of the toilet.

He’d got stuck.

I also noticed the very distinct smell: of a very strong joint.

I can’t help but think that — if you’ve got mental health issues that let you stop a train ten foot from the platform  — laying off the Moroccan tomato plants would be a goo idea!

Especially if a friend’s too stoned to open the toilet door …

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-1-2017: The Opium Eaters

Oh, well, that’s something.

I don’t know if you knew, but the UK government operates something called Tax Credits: a scheme designed to top up people’s earnings.

Technically?

You can only put in for them, under certain conditions.

You’ll get Child Tax credits if you have children.   Best I can do, there is a nephew with a trombone.

But working tax credits?   Get complicated.

Basically, you can only put in for them if you’re working over thirty hours.

Over the past few weeks?

I’ve managed to go over that thirty hour limit, by working an extra shift.

That’s no guarantee I’d keep getting those extra shifts, and stay over the limit.

One thin I did manage to do, last night?

Was have a word with my immediate supervisor.

By default, I do twenty-nine hours, and forty-five minutes,

Looks like I’ll be able to get an extra hour, on Sunday afternoon … 

~≈Ê≈~