Anyone know how much JSA we would get?

homeschooler

My dh is being made redundant on Friday as the business he works for is closing. He has only been there 4 months so will just get his wages uptil Friday. Before this he was self employed and paying tax but his business turned from a profitable one to being a complete nightmare so he stopped trading. (He was a market trader).

I am really worried about money as we have no savings at all. We are currently living with my parents and were hoping to move into a rented house by Christmas.

Please can anyone tell me what amount we will get each week? We have 2 children age 9 and 6.

I am scared for the future as dh is 50 now and I worry about him being able to get another job in the town we're in and cos of his age. I keep getting different answers when I look at various websites ranging from 180 to 220 a week. Please can anyone tell me how much we would get?

Thanks
Em

DaisyFlower

JSA is around £60 a week or £90 a week for a couple if the other doesnt work and is part of the claim.

ukdickie31

As above, the JSA is paid for the Adults only.

The children are paid through Tax Credits.

Make sure you let the Tax Credits know of the change in circumstances.

Tax Credits - 0845 300 3900

suelees1

£94.95 for a couple plus child tax credits for the children. Also entitled to HB (for rent) and CTB if tenants.

JSA is a passport to other benefits and health care - glasses, 'scripts, dental etc

jenie_2

My husband is 56 and was made redundant on 31st May this year. He gets £60.50 a week (paid fortnightly). We too worry about him getting another job due to his age, health etc. He has applied for countless jobs, and hasn't even had a reply to any of them, despite having a good work record (he was 8 yrs at his job and 17 yrs at his previous) and was working in a skilled job.

He gets very downhearted when he doesn't get replies to his job applications but keeps trying.

For the first 6 months you will be paid contributions based job seekers allowance, and after that its income based job seekers allowance which, as far as I know, is when you can claim free prescriptions, dental treatment etc.
Hope this helps.

suelees1

You're right Jenie. It is the income based JSA which is a passport to these. I'm assuming you have your own income (or one/both of you has excess capital) which means you're not included in his claim.

I had assumed homeschooler is included in her husband's JSA claim. If he's entitled to JSA contribution based at 60.50 pw this would be topped up to the couple rate of 94.95. This top up would be JSA income based.

homeschooler

Thanks for your replies. I am so worried about things. I will notify the tax credits tomorrow and he will go to the Job Centre on Monday.

I am just so worried as he isn't very good on the computer. I try and help him but he struggles.

Would I have to sign on too or can he do it for both of us?

So I think we would be entitled to:

£94.95 Job Seekers Allowance (for couple)
£90.58 child tax credits (2 children age 9 & 6)
£31.35 Child Benefit

= £216.88 per week.

Is this correct? Plus any housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Sorry if I am rambling its just we haven't been in this situation since before we had the children and I am worried about paying all the bills as our finances were in a pretty dire straight anyway.

Em

suelees1

Not sure about tax credits Em as this will be a readjusted for the rest of the tax year to April 09 I think. TCs are not one of my favourites!! I'm sure someone from TCO will come on and tell you.

Ok as for the rest this is a bit long but bear with me.

The rest of your figures are right. HB will be awarded as long as you're in rented accommodation. If so and you're in social housing it will cover it but might not if with a private landlord. However in the latter scenario AND you paid your rent yourselves before your new claim then you're protected for 13 weeks so HB should cover it. When your protection expires you can always apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

He needs to claim JSA by ringing 0800 055 66 88. The claim is taken over the phone. This is also a claim for HB and CTB. However - and this is important - claiming this way on a Monday means your HB/CTB won't start until the Monday after (27th) as the regs state benefit only starts the Monday after a claim.

My advice is to ring the council tomorrow without fail to register your claim and ask for a claim form. It will say on the claim form they need certain info such as income details etc etc. You can put on the form you're waiting for a JSA decision. Please don't delay in returning the form. They will wait for any info such as this. If you do this your claim will then be backdated to Monday 20th once it's processed. If you leave it 'til Monday you'll have a weeks rent and council tax arrears.