I'm trying to help my neighbour with her benefits

seanyseansean

Hi,

Thanks in advance for any help

A couple moved in next door a month ago. He's a geordie, she's polish and they have a baby who is nearly 1 year old. At the weekend he beat the !!!! out of her, and is now in the cells whilst awaiting his sentencing on Tuesday. Apparently he is already out on license for beating up a previous partner, which she didn't know about, so he's likely to get 3 years at minimum.

We are worried about her, obviously, she has nobody else to help so i've volunteered. I figure that by maximising her benefits and making sure she's financially independent she's less likely to get back with a serial woman beater.

She is currently on maternity leave, but her normal wage is £16k a year over 4 days a week. Her childcare will cost £32 a day. She has no other savings or income.

I've checked the tax credits website, and it seems she is entitled to around £750 a month. Her rent is £530.

Because of the rent and childcare costs this wage is livable, but only just. Can anybody help me find anything else she is entitled to?

Thanks again for any help!

Sean

EDIT: I seem to have put this in the Child Benefits subforum accidentally. Could a mod move it, please?

elisebutt65

When is she due to go back to work? She could get Housing and Council tax benefit in the meantime.
Also when she is working she will get the 25% council tax discount

PolishBigSpender

If she's Polish, then the very very very first thing you must do is check that she's completed the 12 months under the Worker Registration Scheme.

If she hasn't, or has never been registered - then there are serious implications in terms of receiving benefits - namely that she won't be entitled. If this is the case, then she won't get anything - no tax credits, no housing benefits, nothing. With a child and no support in the UK, it could very well end up being impossible for her to stay here.

But given the nature of Polish women, I would recommend that you simply ask her for a copy of the registration as you need to 'check something'. It's not entirely honest, but it's better than stressing her out needlessly - if she has it, great But if not, then you'll have to break the news to her gently that she's not entitled to any support from the UK state.

seanyseansean

Thank you both for your replies!

Yes, she's been here over 3 years I think. She is currently employed but on maternity leave, I think she goes back at the end of May.

Is housing and council tax only available to the unemployed then? I'm a bit confused.

And this registration scheme thing - is she automatically registered after 12 months working here, or does she specifically have to apply for it?

Thanks

Sean

pd001

Worker Registration Scheme

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/eea/wrs/

HTH

PolishBigSpender

seanyseansean wrote: »

And this registration scheme thing - is she automatically registered after 12 months working here, or does she specifically have to apply for it?

She specifically has to apply for it within one month of starting work in the UK. There are penalties (although I'm fairly positive that these aren't being enforced for individuals, just companies!) for non compliance. Given that it costs quite a bit, I wouldn't be dreadfully surprised if she wasn't registered. Many businesses aren't aware that they should register their workers, and the scheme in general is quite badly publicised.

You can register at any time, although the 12 month clock only starts from the moment of registration.

I'm not certain as to whether some benefits may be available because of the situation with the child's favour - I believe not due to the mother needing to make the claim and thus being barred from benefits. Of course, if she has been registered, then it's a moot point.

*CheshireBelle*

Try http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Fill in all her details and it should tell what she's entitled to. Good luck to her

PolishBigSpender

*CheshireBelle* wrote: »

Try http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Fill in all her details and it should tell what she's entitled to. Good luck to her

It's useless using the site without confirmation of the WRS registration.

In addition, I'm not certain that you can access UK benefits without having exercised your EEA treaty rights. It may be that even after 12 months under the WRS scheme, the EEA permit must be applied for and granted before benefits can be obtained.