advice about low income jobs and benefits needed

weejaine

Hi my names Jaine, and i am looking for some advice ... The other half after 2 years job hunting has finally got a job (woo hoo) anyhoos we have already got child tax credits and working tax credits sorted, but basically we dont have a clue about rent and what the kids are entitled to they are both at school and currently get free school meals and uniform grant... we are under £16,000 per year and it is only agency work so god knows how long we are going to be a working family so any advice i would be so grateful

thanks x

MickBee

Presumably your partner has been getting JSA, and you have been getting full Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit from your Local Authority. This (HB & CTB) will automatically end when DWP notify them that the JSA has ended.

The LA should send you forms to complete, for you to claim HB & CTB based on your new earnings. It may be quicker if you make a new claim without waiting for these forms; (be aware there may be delays between letters being generated and being actually printed & posted, which can cause confusion.) A general point about HB & CTB is that claims run from the Monday after they are made (with exceptions - there are always exceptions in benefit rules) so it is important not to delay claiming from a Friday to the next Monday, as you may lose a week or more.

You will also have to supply evidence - of income (Tax Credit & Child Benefit award letters; for earnings, the letter of employment, as you will have to wait until 5 weekly or two monthly payslips are available) - of savings (bank statements etc., also covering two months) - of the rent agreement - and of the identity of your household (names, and NI numbers for adults - but probably included in the other evidence listed above.)

Hope this is helpful, and that the job works out. Other people may be able to advise on school meals, uniforms etc., also prescription payments.

karenx

You may find you arent entitled to the free school meals anymore. Do you have your entitlement letter for this? Call the number on it and give new income details and they should tell you if you still qualify. Majority of councils dont get free school meals if you are getting WTC.