ratscallions

I'm not sure where to post my question, so if you know a better place please point me there.

Please do not give an answer if you aren't 100% certain. I've been volunteering in this field for the last 3 years, so if this was a common situation I'd know the answer myself.

Situation:

- ESA (Employment & Support Allowance).

- I am in the Support Group.

- I am on Contributions Based.

- I am not receiving any payments.

- I have been told by the DWP that I have negligible NICs, hence no payments.

- I am not eligible for IR-ESA, due to my partner's income (his outgoings are higher than his income though, so he can't support me).

Question:

From my experience in this field helping others with their claims it has always seemed that Support Group isn't means tested though I can't find sources for this- if you read the legislation, once someone's contributions run out they still receive payments if they're in the Support Group. So,

a) Why am I not receiving payments?

b) What do I do about it?

(Nb, I've already spoken to the DWP who have basically said "tough luck", and my MP, who passed me back to the DWP, who again said "tough luck").

I have zero income at present, so this is very urgent.

(Alternatively, if you can suggest a way someone who is bedbound but able to use a computer sometimes, can earn some money, please make suggestions).

I'm not quite sure this is the right category for this question, but I can't find a more suitable one. Hopefully someone with craft experience can help me out here.

Question: Is it worth me holding jewellery workshops in my home?

Info: I've spent years learning to make various types of beaded jewellery. I've found over the years that you simply cannot make money selling it in this country, because it's so easy to import similar beaded jewellery extremely cheaply. However, I don't wish to waste my skill.

I have the option of a kitchen table that seats four, or a dining table that seats six, so could hold small workshops to teach people some skills. Our area has it's own Facebook page, so I could easily advertise for free the first time I try it. I am uncertain whether it is best to offer

- individual classes, where I prepare a kit for each person and help them make it

or

- a series of classes where I can learn what each person wishes to make, and help them design and make it

or

- both .. start with the individual, and develope to a series.

Does anyone have any experience of running this sort of thing? I am aware that I would have to provide the materials, but I have no idea of what sort of cost is reasonable to charge for the class. Do I charge the class and materials separately, or include the materials in the class charge? Any experience or advice would be gratefully received.

(UK - England, law ... please don't try applying American law as an answer because you will confuse me further).

I am trying to understand something my ex insisted to both myself and my bestfriend on separate occasions. He was abusive. I left him three months into the pregnancy (pregnant by him obviously). I lost the baby at 20 weeks (5 months).

Two days before I lost the baby he had texted me saying he would surrender all rights to the baby. I spoke with my solicitor who explained to me that by giving up his parental rights he loses all say in what the child does, he loses the right to see the child, but he still has to be financially responsible for the child. If he keeps his parental rights he still has the right to make decisions and see the child, but does not have to do either.

The day following the text saying he wished to surrender parental rights I saw his father. His father was very shocked to learn that my ex would still have to remain financially responsible. My ex then told me that I had forced his hand, that legally he had no choice but to surrender parental rights. He said exactly the same thing, with the same wording, to my bestfriend.

I am trying to understand how that can be right. From what I understand of parental rights law in the UK it can't be, unless my solicitor is wrong ... unfortunately, I can only find American law online though.

I suspect he was simply trying to upset me .. which of course he did .. and that last bit of stress caused the loss of the baby ... but if he was right, I'd like to know. So .... anyone?

I've just noticed that someone is giving nearly all of my answers a thumbs down. I only ever answer when I know the answer to a question, so can only presume that someone is doing this to be petty; presumably for competitive reasons rather than for the interest of the questions asked.

Why is it that the more 'best answers' I give on Yahoo, my % of best answers is actually going down?

I was 30% the day before yesterday, and now am 23%! Lol.

Just a little baffled here.

I have two divs next to each other, the one on the left with an image in it, the other with text in it. I want the one with text in it to expand to fill the rest of the page, no matter what size monitor people have.

I had assumed that I could simply use width="*" as I would in tables, but it doesn't work. If I set it to width="100%" it then starts at the 'left' that I set, and goes off the right hand side of the page.

Heeeeelp.