Benefit advice needed please

von

He can claim JSA is he is self employed but only if he is unable to work due to a signicant change in his trading pattern i.e if he is usually without work at this time of year they will probably decide that this is his normal trading pattern and he should economise during the periods when he is working to fund the periods when he is normally without work. However if he is without work at a time when he is normally has work available to him then they will regard this as a signicant change in his trading pattern (unforeseen circumstances) and as long as he is available and actively seeking work then there shouldn't be a problem.
Either of you can claim JSA as long as the person claiming is available and actively seeking work. You won't both have to claim and sign on as you have dependent children. Hope this helps.

k1mmie

von wrote: »

He can claim JSA is he is self employed but only if he is unable to work due to a signicant change in his trading pattern i.e if he is usually without work at this time of year they will probably decide that this is his normal trading pattern and he should economise during the periods when he is working to fund the periods when he is normally without work. However if he is without work at a time when he is normally has work available to him then they will regard this as a signicant change in his trading pattern (unforeseen circumstances) and as long as he is available and actively seeking work then there shouldn't be a problem.
Either of you can claim JSA as long as the person claiming is available and actively seeking work. You won't both have to claim and sign on as you have dependent children. Hope this helps.

Thank you for all your guidance. Hubby is an IT contractor and is usually in work, but due to companies cutting back his contract finished in November. Normally you can jump from one to another but shortage of positions with the economy means he is having to look for a permanent position which takes a lot longer.

I was concerned they would say hubby would have to be claimant as he is usually the main breadwinner and he is not in the state of mind to do it. How long after calling do they take to commence payments if we are entitled?

yorkshire_grafter

Hi

Contact your local authority for help towards your council tax. You need to complete an application form asap because the claim normally starts from the Monday following the date they actually receive it.

It doesn't matter who is the claimant (either you or your husband). If you still class your hubby as self employed he can make a claim and advised them of your current financial circumstances (probably best if you give them a ring and make an appointment to see someone).

Will regard to your daughter and including her on your claim - does she regard your address has her home? Do her bank statements etc come to your address? etc. If the answers are yes then I would include her on your form and then the local authority will apply what's called a non dependent deduction. The level of deductions is based on her gross salary.

Hope this helps
Good luck

k1mmie

yorkshire_grafter wrote: »

Hi

Contact your local authority for help towards your council tax. You need to complete an application form asap because the claim normally starts from the Monday following the date they actually receive it.

It doesn't matter who is the claimant (either you or your husband). If you still class your hubby as self employed he can make a claim and advised them of your current financial circumstances (probably best if you give them a ring and make an appointment to see someone).

Will regard to your daughter and including her on your claim - does she regard your address has her home? Do her bank statements etc come to your address? etc. If the answers are yes then I would include her on your form and then the local authority will apply what's called a non dependent deduction. The level of deductions is based on her gross salary.

Hope this helps
Good luck

Thank you this is a big help. I am waiting for about a week as hubby has a major interview (third) on Friday and obviously we don't want to go down this road if we can help it. So should know by next week or I will be straight on the phone.

k1mmie

Decided to fill it in online. Having problems doing so. Has anyone else done it online and can advise me?

Thank you

sammyjammy

Its very hit and miss and people who do it online tend to have problems chasing it up and then having to start over on the telephone, Iwould avoid it like the plague if I were you.

k1mmie

Well , you were right. After a couple of attempts to put my claim through online then the system kept crashing and dumping me off, I finally called them this morning. Was told that due to the number of people signing on they had a system in place where she booked an appintment for hubby and me for Friday at Jobcentre, but we had to go to local jobcentre before then to pick up a JSA form and fill it in before we get there Friday to save time. SHe then asked if I was claiming tax credits to which I told her I had not as yet. She did the whole thing on the form and said it was an express form and she could submit it for me. I was quite impressed by this. She said if they needed any extra info then they would call me for information. I was then told to call the council tax and ask for a form to claim the council tax benefit.Could not get through there so had to leave a number for them to call me back on. I'm sure they want people to give up as it could be a much simpler process if they wanted it to be. It was obvious that they are struggling under the pressure but at least I am on my way!!

By the way she asked for P45's. Do they take the tax year 2007/2008 into account for NI contributions or April 2008 onwards.

geoff62

hello any help how long does the goverment give staff to complete a claim is ten weeks now and i still have go no word if i got my claim to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

sammyjammy

k1mmie wrote: »

By the way she asked for P45's. Do they take the tax year 2007/2008 into account for NI contributions or April 2008 onwards.

The tax years used changes on the 1st Jan which is called a benefit year, its been years and years since I processed benefits but I think if you've made a claim in 2009 the tax years will be 2006/07 and 2007/08, I'm sure someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong!

Sam

k1mmie

Thank you sammyjammy. This will probably be better for hubby then because he was employed those years, (not self employed) and may make the claim somewhat easier.

Just hope the whole process does not take forever to actually administer now. Still waiting for a callback from the council. Don't suppose they will want to rush themselves either.