boyfriend made redundant -- help!?

carlamagee

my boyfriend has been given his weeks notice today....can anyeone advise me on what he is entitled to from :
a. his employer
b. possible beneifts while looking for another job?

weve never used the government before, so really havent a clue what is ot there.
any advice is grreatly appreciated!!

thanks, carla.

leftieM

You are probably better posting on the benefits board.

I do know that, if he has paid enough national insurance contributions for the correct tax year (not sure if 07-08 or 06 - 07) he is entitled to 6 months non-means tested income support (or whatever they call it).

Just be aware that some people who work in the benefits office don't know who is entitled to what. I know of two people who were entitled to unemployment benefit and didn't receive it because of poorly trained benefits employees not processing their claims. So ensure that you know what you are entitled to before you go in.

Good luck. I hope your boyfriend gets sorted quickly.

CL

There is a web site that calculates your entitlement:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017972

Hope this helps you.

brandyslad

Apparently there is a massive backlog at the benefits office at the minute and they are taking quite a while to see everyone. If you are really stuck you can request a crisis loan of up to £400 to tide you over. My OH has been cut in hours and people have been laid of at his work too. It's a nightmare but as another poster says, try and read up on it before you go in. Some of the people in the dole office can be dead abrupt in fact downright rude but in saying that some of them are lovely. If he goes once and feels uncomfortable he can request someone else.

www.direct.gov.uk

brandyslad

Also make sure when he signs on he makes dentists, opticians appt etc, as he will get these free. As someone who has just been quoted £100 for eye test (minus frames) this is something I would recommend doing. My OH was out of work for a short time a few years back and he went and got his whole dentist work done, saved a fortune. Plus ask them about being reimbursued for travel to and from the dole office and interviews. And free school meals if you have kids. Ask about everything... the answer may be no but if it saves you a few pounds when you are strapped then all the better.

beccam

Depends also if you are married/living together and if you are working. My Hub got made redundant and we have a LO but my 28hrs a week is classed as full time so he gets basic dole just over £60/week.