5 minute benefit check up Article Discussion Area

Redc

Again, I just entered everything into the calculator (did it twice to make sure!) and it states that my partner and I can claim FULL council tax benefit,. I actually received a reply letter from our council this morning stating that we cannot claim any amount of Council Tax Benefit.

My partner earns 26k, I've been unemployed since June 2008, and I have never claimed any benefits, purely because of naivety and just simply "didn't know how to". I've been turned down for JSA (turns out that my dodgy ex-employer didn't pay my NI -thats another matter...), thus because I can't claim JSA we can't get Working Tax credits or Council Tax Benefit. It seems you either get "all or nothing" and unfortunately, despite between my partner and I having over 40 years of working full time, this first time that either of us is unemployed we can't get help from anyone :-(

karenx

You wouldnt get working tax credits anyway its not to do with you not getting JSA, the cut off is 17k

Redc

Thanks Karen, thats the first definitive answer re:salary level that I've ever been given on WTC's, and something I wish I'd been aware of before filling in the forms! Even on the TC helpline I have never been advised what that cut off point actually is.

edited to add: we were actually approved and passed for full WTC on the basis of my partner earning 26k plus me being on JSA before the decision for my JSA came through, when it was retracted, so the JSA did have bearing on the amount my partner would have received.

dmg24

How much is your Council Tax?

Redc

Hi, its £1400. (£140 monthly) .

clew_2

The social Fund

Here is some info relating to this subject that may be useful. To apply for a budgeting loan you have to be in reciept of either income support, income based jobseekers allownce, income based employment and support allowance, or pension credit for at least 26 weeks continuously and it depends how much you already owe to social fund. There is a limit
A Community Care Grant is a DISCRETIONARY payment from the social fund so it is not awarded to everyone and again, you have to be in reciept of one of the above qualifying benefits.
Maternity Grants, again you have to be in reciept of a Qualifying benefit and also for the funeral payments.

all of this info is clearly printed on the front of the application forms.

Solomon_Broad

The calculator seems to fall down on my particular situation.

I'm in my late 20's, no kids, living with my parents because I can't afford to move out. I work 12 hours a week, minimum wage (can't get any overtime, or I'd be working it!:mad:). I have no kids.

There doesn't seem to be an option for "living with parents" at the quiz website.

carseat

on job seekers allowance and want to take my 12 year old son on holiday as my ex husband died on boxing day and son is not copping very well he is just about to se a breavment counceler .

DX2

carseat wrote: »

on job seekers allowance and want to take my 12 year old son on holiday as my ex husband died on boxing day and son is not copping very well he is just about to se a breavment counceler .

Sorry for your loss.

Just wanted to make sure you are claiming Widowed Parents allowance. If you want to go abroad you need to sign off JSA and make a rapid reclaim when you come back.

contribute_good_news

Economy runs by employed people as they are the one who pay taxes which should claim their rights in "less fortunate financial times of their lives." I think this kind of educational articles and disscussions should be spreaded more widely,that is trough general media such as newspapers,radio and tv.Which would have a positive impact on society as it will be happier as it will possess a sense of security and easier way of overcoming financial burden.And happier society is in return more able to contribute to economy!