Benefits - where do I start?

sian76

I need help with claiming benefits. I have searched and searched the internet for guidelines but I am rather confused to say the least.

We have a mortgaged home, 3 children, I work 16hrs and earn under £10k, my husband has no income as is redundant as of today. One child is in full time education and the twins are in part time nursery and 2 mornings paid childcare (about £134 per month).

I have been told that I apparently can't claim for the childcare and that due to the amount of money my husband earned in 2009/10 we don't qualify for working tax credits this financial year !!! Apart from JSA is there anything my husband or I are entitled to?
I'd be grateful for any advice.

ExTra_2

Try this website if you haven't done so.

http://www.entitledto.co.uk

Good luck

NASA_2

sian76 wrote: »

I need help with claiming benefits. I have searched and searched the internet for guidelines but I am rather confused to say the least.

We have a mortgaged home, 3 children, I work 16hrs and earn under £10k, my husband has no income as is redundant as of today. One child is in full time education and the twins are in part time nursery and 2 mornings paid childcare (about £134 per month).

I have been told that I apparently can't claim for the childcare and that due to the amount of money my husband earned in 2009/10 we don't qualify for working tax credits this financial year !!! Apart from JSA is there anything my husband or I are entitled to?
I'd be grateful for any advice.

Dont think so.

JSA(C) will be about the extent of it. If you are working consistently under 24 hours then he can claim JSA(IB) (Which wont be payable as your income is too high) but the JSA(C) will be payable as long as he has made enough contributions.

KimYeovil

Why on earth would you be entitled to childcare??? Surely your child benefits are more than enough as is.

margaretclare

Your husband should claim contribution-based Jobseekers' Allowance. This will last for 6 months, which will give him time to look for another job.

You seem to think it is you who should claim benefits, but it's your husband who has been left without a job. He must be devastated, but your post is all about yourself.

KimYeovil

margaretclare wrote: »

You seem to think it is you who should claim benefits, but it's your husband who has been left without a job. He must be devastated, but your post is all about yourself.

Other than the temporary CB JSA it is surely the working partner who should be claiming any benefits/credits, not the house husband/wife?

margaretclare

What 'house husband/wife'? I would have thought it was the person who had been left without income, lost his job, that needed to claim what he's entitled to?

McKneff

If your husband is not working, why would you need childcare outside the home.

He can do it for free

KimYeovil

margaretclare wrote: »

What 'house husband/wife'? I would have thought it was the person who had been left without income, lost his job, that needed to claim what he's entitled to?

You seriously think housewives and househusbands should be supported by single workers rather than by their partners? Are you mad?

margaretclare

I don't know what you're talking about. AFAIK the OP did not mention 'house husbands'. She simply said that her husband was redundant as of today and therefore had no income. He will be entitled to JSA assuming he's paid his contributions. Any of us who've been made redundant in the past can sympathise.

bestpud

It is right you get no help with childcare as you both need to be working at least 16 hours for that.

I realise that may cause problems should he find another job, as their place may be gone by then, but that's the way it is.

I would have a chat with the nursery about it asap as you will need to give notice and I don't know if tax credits will cover that period.

Your 09/10 income may take you over the threshold for wtc but you can tell them you will be earning less this year and they will adjust your award accordingly. You cannot do that before April/renewal time though.

You need to ensure you call tax credits immediately if your OH finds another job though, or your income looks set to be over your estimate, or you will have an overpayment. Keep a very close eye on it over the next year to avoid this.

You may be able to claim some council tax benefit too but you won't get help with your mortgage.

And, as said, your OH should be able to claim CB JSA for 26 weeks - it is about £64 a week.

HTH