Help, Single dad of two, made redundant, what can i claim.

Single_Dad_Of_two

Hello.

Can anyone help me.

I'm a single day of 2 boys (10 & 15).

I was made redundant in November 2009, since then then, we've been living off the working tax credits & child allowance (even though i'm not working), i know i should have informed them, but i have no other income, we have a house thats mortgaged, a car on finance, and countless bills i just can't pay anymore.

Yet i've been on this web site called "Entitled to" via a link from another page on this site and it tells me that i am entitled to £321 ish, a week as a single parent of 2 boys, can anyone tell me if this is right, or have i done something wrong on one of the questions.

I'm useless when it comes to form filling in etc, i just don't understand the question, or what they mean and tax etc, can anyone help, there's got to be someone out there in the same position as me, who can help.

If this is right and i can claim this amount, £321- ish per week, can i ask, why the hell was i working Mon - friday 8.30 - 5.30 and saturday mornings 8 - 12, (with my mum looking after my kids after school and saturdays) just to bring home £240 a week after tax.

Please don't get me wrong, i've worked everday since leaving school at 16, i'm now 42.

The ex wife plundered the joint bank account the week before she left , of £27,000 ish, in court she got another £40,000 cash, she wanted her share of the house in cash or sell the house, i found it but at a cost.

So please any help, any at all, i just feel like i've been kicked between the legs and gone down and i'm not sure how to get up again. I know some of you feel like that, but some of you have got up, and come back, you know the system and how it works, i haven't a clue, if you can help us, then we can help others too.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Single Dad Of Two

fluffybunnies

First off, you need to inform them, it's my understanding that if you are not working then you are not entitled to working tax credits and you don't want to then have to repay, i think you would get child tax credits instead (hopefully someone will be along to correct me if i'm wrong)

Next, are you claiming JSA, i would imagine you would be able to get contributions based given your work history (again not 100%).

I think there is a benefit that you might be able to get to pay the interest on a mortgage (but not sure so don't quote me on that)

POssibly might be able to get council tax benefit?

Good luck and i hope it all turns out okay in the end.

elf06

I truely feel for you - it sounds like a horrible situation but I really think you need to be honest about your work situation or it will come back to bite you in the bum!
I believe there is some way of getting help with a mortgage but i think (if i am wrong please someone correct me) you have to be on income support for approx 9 months before they will even consider helping you with a mortgage

Dammit someone beat me to it - took too long writing my reply!!

not_tonight_josephine_2

are you getting maintenance payments for the boys from your ex-wife? If not maybe you should look into it

karenx

elf06 wrote: »

I truely feel for you - it sounds like a horrible situation but I really think you need to be honest about your work situation or it will come back to bite you in the bum!
I believe there is some way of getting help with a mortgage but i think (if i am wrong please someone correct me) you have to be on income support for approx 9 months before they will even consider helping you with a mortgage

Dammit someone beat me to it - took too long writing my reply!!

Wrong- the OP cannot claim income support as his children are over 7.
Also its 13 weeks before they can claim help with the mortgage interest if they were on income support or JSA.

OP- please tell tax credits you are no longer working as your not entitled to working tax credits and the longer it goes on the more you will get from them that you will have to pay back.

Jowo_2

If you are struggling with your mortgage, see the advice for homeowners on the Shelter website which gives info on how to avoid arrears and the various government schemes that have been set up to prevent repossession by the lender.

Also,they have a section on relationship breakdowns which gives some idea of your basic rights relating to the accommodation, who can stay in it and how it can be sold (or not).

Fire_Fox

CAB may be able to help you with form filling, are you not even claiming Jobseekers Allowance?

DX2

OP you need to claim JSA (jobseekers allowance).
Close your working tax credits claim and claim child tax credits.
Apply for council tax benefit and support for mortgage interest.
Apply for child support from the ex wife.

And no you wont get £321 per week.

elf06

karenx wrote: »

Wrong- the OP cannot claim income support as his children are over 7.
Also its 13 weeks before they can claim help with the mortgage interest if they were on income support or JSA.

OP- please tell tax credits you are no longer working as your not entitled to working tax credits and the longer it goes on the more you will get from them that you will have to pay back.

Knew there would be someone to correct me if i was wrong Also was wondering if location might be anything to do with the conflicting info as I was sure I had been told 9 months??

ETA - just checked and it used to be 9 months! Things have obv changed in the 3 years since I was looking into these things!!

Single_Dad_Of_two

Hi to you all. thank you all for your fast replies.

Anyone any idea how much i can get from which benefits, either income support or job seekers, which is best to apply for!.

Any idea how long it will take to get these benefits, we have no savings, most of what we have goes on bills to keep the baliffs away.

I need the car to travel to work if i get a job, i can't send the car back, as i've only had it 12 months and took it out over 5 years.

Santandairer, don't get any finance with them, they are one of the most un helpful firms in the world.

I told them that i'd been made redundant, they then told me i didn't take out , accident, sickness and redundancy, i thought i did, they sent me paper work, the box wasn't ticked, don't know why.

How ever i have gap insurance, been told that it my car is wriiten off, the insurance will pay out and the gap will cover the finance thats left on it and pay it off, is this right. (i know a man which a Jcb, lol)

My ex only pays £20 a month for the children (yes, thats both of them), but thats as when, when she's (aged 38) not paying for her wine and her latest boyfriends (aged 62 & retired) beer, there both alcoholics, 7 days aweek. they keep the local pub in bussiness, yes she lives just round the corner from me.

Got to go get the yougest from school, shankses pony time, i guess, lol.

be back soon.

Thanks to every one, please keep the help coming.

Single Dad Of Two.

karenx

It would have to be JSA, you arent entitled to income support as your youngest child must be below 7 to get this. Its £64 a week roughly. If on it after 13 weeks you can get help with the mortgage interest only, not the capital.