Benefit Help Needed

tinkerbell81

Currently I am self employed (for my sins) and unfortunately due to the economic climate can't take a wage from the business; and haven't done for a while. Now I have just had the news that my husband has lost his job therefore we have no money coming into the house.

Is there any help we are intitled to as we have large outgoings and the new year is looking quite bleak. I have loked throughly though our finances and have made major cutbacks but there are bills that 'have' to be paid; mortgage etc etc

Any help is greatly appreciated.

credit_crunch_victim

well you may be entitled to 95-00 a week jsa if your lucky and a reduction on your council tax
be prepared to submit your accounts etc for the self employed part

tinkerbell81

Thanks. I don't mind submitting accounts, though I only have last years that would be relevant.

£90 a week isn't much, though I suppose its better than nothing. I suppose I should call the mortgage company? Does anone know if a payment break would be an option?

credit_crunch_victim

i think that depends on your mortgage company i called mine and they said it was not an option
we have gone over to interest only as a temporary measure

OrkneyStar

Could you get a job, other than the SE one, as at least that might be one wage coming in ?
entitledto would tell you any benefit entitlement in the meantime, or visit your local CAB.
Take care and hope something comes along for one of you.

p00hsticks

If you husband was employed rather than self employed and has made enough NI contributions then I think he should be entitled to contributions-based JSA at the very least.

tinkerbell81

Thanks for the advice, but my husband was employed and is now unemployed. It is me that is self employed, and due to the nature of the business (estate agency) don't have any spare time to get a job, though I have to keep the business open as I have wages etc etc to pay, though can't take any for myself.

My husband has applied for every job going, but all are saying he is over qualified, and know that as soon as a better paid job / one that he is qualified to do, whether it be next year or the next comes along he would leave to go to that.

Awk its a real nightmare situation, and i feel like cancelling Xmas !

Oh, tried the mortgage company for a payment break and it was a no go, though I have changed it to interest only - thanks Credit Crunch Victim

Oldernotwiser

As you're still working, your husband may be only able to claim JSA for himself (60.50) although I'm open to correction on this.

tinkerbell81

Thanks though on £60.50 per week we would struggle even to buy food for the two of us.

Well i think we have no option but to try some serious cost cutting!

Any tips welcome.........

Oldernotwiser

tinkerbell81 wrote: »

Thanks though on £60.50 per week we would struggle even to buy food for the two of us.

That's a lot of money on food for 2 people! Get over to the OS Board and start learning quickly. Good luck.

tinkerbell81

Sorry i'm quite new to all of this. Whats the OS board?