I really need some advice

vicvic_3

Hello, My partner was laid off last monday and spent the week looking for work. Nothing came up so we phoned the jobcentre to make a claim for benefits and we went for an interveiw today.

It lasted about 20 mins and all i had to do was show I.D. When i asked the man what we would be getting he said my partner would get about £94 a week job seekers allowence.

A friend told me she gets alot more than that a week and is on her own with 1 child and she thinks i need to make a seperate claim is that right?

So my questions are do we still get child tax credits?

Do we wait for a letter to confirm how much benefit my partner is going to get before i phone tax credits?

Can i now ask for my child benefit and if we still get tax credits to be paid weekly instead of monthly.

If i dont get child tax credits how do we live on £94 a week?

Also we currently live in my mums 3 bedroom council house( my mum, 27 year old brother, my partner,me, and our 2 children) and when i asked the housing benefit office if they would pay some of our share of the rent they said as our name wasn't on the tenancy they couldn't pay. I phoned up the housing office who said they wouldnt put my name on the tenancy but are sending me forms to go on the council list and they will re-house us and pay the rent whilst my partner is out of work. My mum has to write a letter saying she is giving us 4 weeks notice and wants us out.
So that is good news as far as i can know because that is our only real chance of ever living on our own again and living at my mums is putting a strain on everyody's relationships. Also the lady was really nice and said when our daughter starts school it really isnt practical to all be squashed in the one room.
So if we get a council house do we apply for the housing benefit or is it automatic?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions but i havn't got a clue as me(pre-children) or my partner have never been out of work before.

I'd really appreciate any advice!

Also my rather daft partner has not paid any national insurance for the last 15ish years and somebody mentioned that means he cant claim job seekers allowence, do you know if thats true? what happens then?

ovenreadywombat

If ur partner hasn't paid Ni contributions you may possibly be entitled to Jobseekers Allowance Income Based. I think you are means tested for this. If you are, do some good preparation work beforehand. Have a list of all your out goings, everything you pay.

krisskross

vicvic wrote: »

Also my rather daft partner has not paid any national insurance for the last 15ish years and somebody mentioned that means he cant claim job seekers allowence, do you know if thats true? what happens then?

Has he been working in this 15 years? How has he got away with paying no NI? What about income tax?

healy

krisskross wrote: »

Has he been working in this 15 years? How has he got away with paying no NI? What about income tax?

If he has been self-employed HMRC will track him down sooner or later and there will be alot of tax and NI to pay.

alwaysonthego_2

The amount of jsa is correct, you need to claim together. The reason why your friend gets more is she is single and has to pay the same bill as a couple would.

You are still entitled to child tax credits but you need tell them asap.

You would need to put in a claim for hb when you move in to your new property.

edit I missed the NI part, he will get a huge fine!

vicvic_3

ofcourse he has been paying tax but because some brightspark told him NI was volentuary he has never paid it. And yes he was self employed.

krisskross

Does he not have an accountant to pay his tax? How does he know how much to pay?

vicvic_3

He worked for a company but was self employed and they paid his tax but he never paid national insurance.

krisskross

vicvic wrote: »

He worked for a company but was self employed and they paid his tax but he never paid national insurance.

Most of them deduct a certain amount but then most self employed people get an accountant to do all the sums at year end. Almost always get the person a refund which pays the accountant's fees plus some.

Unfortunately ignorance will be no excuse and of course now he has claimed benefits DWP will look at his NI contribution history.

vicvic_3

get off you high horse krisskross i came looking for advice not a lecture.
We have only been together 4 years and i didnt even know it was not being paid.

He has an accountant and he told him a few years not to worry too much about it.

I bet your hoping they say we arnt entilted to any benefits arnt you?
He is 38 and has never been out of work its hardly our fault they way the country is at the moment.

alwaysonthego_2

vicvic wrote: »

get off you high horse krisskross i came looking for advice not a lecture.
We have only been together 4 years and i didnt even know it was not being paid.

He has an accountant and he told him a few years not to worry too much about it.

I bet your hoping they say we arnt entilted to any benefits arnt you?
He is 38 and has never been out of work its hardly our fault they way the country is at the moment.

Kriss is only speaking how it is, no use in trying to say otherwise.

Your husband did not pay NI he will have to face the consequences, no point laying the blame at the accountant, the DWP will view your husband to be personally responsible for ensuring the correct NI cont was made.

p.s please don't be aggressive towards regular posters who volunteer their help, if you don't like the answers don't post the question!