5 minute benefit check up Article Discussion Area

LaughingGirl

Hi there - hope you can help me? I have looked with interest at all the information on the benefits check up but can't decide if I am eligible? I took voluntary redundancy at the end of June last year and am now a full time university student. I am a single parent of 2 children under 10 years old. I have invested some of my redundancy payment into a 12 month fixed savings account and I have a cash ISA for last year but the rest is just in my building society account. Because I am a student, I don't qualify for Job Seekers allowance and only get Child Benefit and a bit of tax credit. I own my own house and pay full costs of my course - no grants. Whilst I have some money, that is fast disappearing and, after 25 years of full time working and tax payment, just wondered if there is something I am missing that I could claim? My National Insurance stamp is not even being paid at the moment. Does anyone have any ideas please? Really grateful for your help please. Nothing I have seen so far covers people in my situation. Thanks a lot in advance! LaughingGirl :huh:

Fiver55

I'm 58 years old and, six months ago, was 'let go' with three months pay by an employer I had been with for 40 years due to ill health and being incapable of working at the time. I was hoping to keep going until retirement but it wasn't to be. A few weeks after, my incapacity benefit was stopped as I didn't meet their criteria. My only way to get any benefit was to join Jobseekers which I didn't feel up to doing and I would have only been able to claim for six months anyway as I have a partner who works full-time. Once the compensation ran out I started living off of my meagre savings which has dwindled to virtually nothing. So, I am almost totally reliant on my partner. No matter how I try to look at it, there doesn't seem to be any support for someone in my position even though I have spent the last 40 years paying tax and NI. If anyone knows of any benefit I would be entitled to I would be grateful if they would let me know but I won't hold my breath.

jessie179

I just want to ask a question on behalf of a friend of mine that recently split from her partner.

They have a 9 month old son. She is from down south and moved to be with him. They split 2 months ago and she decided to move back south. initially she wasnt aware that she could claim until I sent her links and stuff telling her that she can claim and might be entitled to something after going onto the entitledto website.

She was on maternity leave from June 08 - end of Feb 09. Her normal Salary is £16000 but because of maternity pay she would have earned about £12000 - £13000. Her company has offices both in the south and north and she used to be based down south and therefore could easily come down and be based in main office again. She had nowhere to stay and crashed on a friends sofa and most of the time left the baby with her mom in another town while she was trying to sort stuff out. I adviced her to contact tax offices to see if they could accomodate her. She did and they told her she must find a house privately first and they might be able to contribute £300 towards it. After being on maternity leave and not having the money she took out a loan with bank and paid for agency fees, deposit and rent. Tax credits came back and said she can get £80 Child benefit, £100 working tax credits and child care credits. I asked her about the Baby Element because her son is under 12 months and they havent given her anything. they also said cos of her salary she cannot get help with housing benefit or council tax. but her salary was under £16000 for last tax year and will be exactly £16000 for new tax year. Any advice that I can give her please?

Straykitten

Don't forget that tenants & homeowners in Northern Ireland on low income or benefits can get help with their rent and/or rates.

Contact the NIHE for more information or visit http://www.lpsni.gov.uk/index/property_rating/billing/getting_help_with_your_rates.htm

MajorMike

Hi. Will you please try and help. My ex wife has asked me to find out whether she is entitled to tax credits even though she has savings in the bank. I have looked at calculators which allows you to input the interest earned on savings but she has a friend who has told her that there is a limit around £24000.00 above which if you have that in the bank or more they will not pay you tax credits or any other benefits?

If you can assist it is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

glenn1982

Am one half of a single, childless couple, I work 19 hours a week part time, my partner 37 hours a week (though she is also classed as part time by the NHS)

Our joint income is approx £19500 per annum.

The calculator on here says we are entitled to £86 a week Working Tax Credits but after putting in the same info on the 'official' Inland revenue calculator it says we are entitled to £0.00.

Is very annoying because £86 a week would be an absolute fortune to us as we can barely pay the bills.

tenuissent

Does anyone know if there is a savings limit when claiming Working Tax Credits? My understanding at the moment is that the savings are ignored but the income from interest has to be reported if over £300. Is this still correct?

valorf

hi i get disability living allowance had an accident since making everything a struggle to do lots of things i can not do since the accident is there help that my husband can get because he does everything now maybe attendence allowance had such a job getting the dla that it makes you scared to ask for more any advise please

mbarber

Can you claim child tax credits as well as using busy bee voucher for help with childcare?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi mbarber

The Childcare Costs article should help you with that.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/health/childcare-costs

Take care

Andrea