First job - anything I need to do?

honeyD

Ive just got my first ever job and I start next week. I was wondering what I should do now about JSA/rent etc?
My first week is only 18.25 hours so Im not sure how it will work as I will be getting more hours added on but this is just to get me used to the job.
I dont know when I should apply for WTC and Rent stuff?
Can anyone help please with what I should be doing now as I dont really know.
Thanks

viclspence

Hi HoneyD.

You need to tell the job centre as soon as you know you are starting, so if you start on Monday you'd have needed to tell them today, if the job centre is local then drop the little work card thingy through the door (technical term!).

Do you have kids? You can not claim CTC/WTC until the day you start but you will need to have the company PAYE number which someone in HR should be able to give you. You can then ring the CTC people and they will take the details and put the claim through.

Hope that helps.

Vicki

Apolonation

If you've been on benefits for 6 months you should get a housing benefit and council tax benefit run on which means it will continue to be paid for four weeks. When you tell the jobcentre you are starting mention this to them and they will be able to advise more.

GREAT NEWS ON YOUR JOB way to go

honeyD

Hi, thanks for the replies.
I havent let the Jobcentre know yet as I didnt get home til gone 5pm today.
I have been on JSA since October, and before that I was on IS but the Jobcentre werent sure of what day that stopped as we hadnt actually got the letter at the time due to the postal strikes so there is a 3 day gap between IS stopping, and JSA starting. Im not sure if they will use that to not pay for the 6 month thing? Im going to go in on my break on Monday if I can, I will call them first though to see what they say. My hours are a bit odd as I will be working 8-11 then 4-8 so can only go in my break, I hope they let me lol.

Apolonation

Phone the benefit processing centre tomorrow and advise them you're starting on Monday - so they will at least have a record of you telling them. Really shouldn't start without telling anyone even if it is just for a few hours!

I'm so happy for you with your Job. A job's about so much more than money isn't it, although of course that is a big part. Getting out, feeling useful, talking to people. All of this so healthy. Happy new year!

honeyD

Hi, I signed off a few days ago. They didnt want to because I can get an extra £5-£10 a week as Im on low hours at the minute but I said I wanted to sign off as £5 for one week wait isnt worth it. I was on 18 hours last week.
Well Ive just received my rota for this week and its only 21.. now I feel like a right wally because Ive signed off. Is there anything I can do with regards to that? Can I call and say I dont want to now or would I have to reclaim? Sigh, I thought I would have 30 this week