The National Living Wage is a disgrace as it is insufficient to live on.
Yes, the Government says there are various credits to claim, but the claiming process is very arduous and very time consuming and the barriers you have to overcome are very off-putting.
With some benefits it is as though you are deemed as claiming a benefit to which you are not entitled and in many instances the assessment process, especially face to face is very demeaning and in some instances insulting.
The Queen used to pay some of her staff below the Real Living Wage and was, I believe reported as saying ‘they can claim benefits’
Many Charities have restricted income which is not guaranteed and as they rely on donations and grants which have to be bid for, these grants are time limited may be for one year or could be up to 3 years, so Charities are continually having to submit bids for grants which may or may not be granted. The grants always come with attached conditions and to even bid you have to fit the expressed criteria, which can be very detailed.
With grants the organisations providing grants also only have a limited amount of money available to provide so all eligible bids will not be granted if the total amount of bids exceeds the amount available for when this as been reach there is no more available.
Source: Almost one fifth of non-profit workers earn below the real living wage