Confused scared in need of help

nicolett

I will start with explaining my situation :
I am from Slovakia
I 'm here since 2003 i was working Au pair , the family i was working for did not pay my national contribution and national insurance.
When i then told them i was moving out (after 5 years) and starting a new life (job,and my place) they then paid national insurance taxes.
then in august 2008 i started to work in a shop as sale assistant ...
i then got pregnant and worked till i was 7months (June 2009)
i then started maternity leave, (till 12 march 2010)
also receiving housing benefit, tax credit..
my baby was born in July 2009
now after the maternity leave ended i try to apply for income support ,( i wont be on it for too long but at least for couple of year , i don't have anyone here to help me i am on my own my daughter is my only family and i want to be with here at least till she is 2)
the father does not want to have anything to do with us so do i :mad:
and after 1 month waiting i got a letter saying that i am not entitled to receive it because :
1: i am working 16 hours or more (but i am not)
2: maybe because i am immigrant (but i am not)
3:maybe i just came to uk ( i did not):(
4:i did not pay national contribution ( i think this is it the ra reason)

they told me i can appeal , and the family i was working for toldme also that will pay all the ntaional contribution..

what shoudl i do??

Indie_Kid

Income support isn't based on national insurance contributions.

nicolett

so i am not really understanding what is the problem!!
i am sooooo confused and i am scared i wll end up homeless as my housing has been stopped...
i forgot that they also said that they do not have enough prove that i reside here ...
:mad: im here since 2003 and i also i dd not travel for 2 years

Indie_Kid

You need to get professional advice from citizens advice or your council.

daska

If you were genuinely living with a family as an au-pair then you were not an employee and therefore neither you nor the family you lived with were liable for paying tax or national insurance contributions.

Did you get your au-pair position through an agency? If so go back to them for advice. Otherwise make an appointment with the CAB.

Whiteknight

nicolett wrote: »

so i am not really understanding what is the problem!!
i am sooooo confused and i am scared i wll end up homeless as my housing has been stopped...
i forgot that they also said that they do not have enough prove that i reside here ...
:mad: im here since 2003 and i also i dd not travel for 2 years

Sounds like you failed the Habitual Residency Test, you can appeal the decision but I would try to find out the exact reasons why you have been refused.

nicolett

daska wrote: »

If you were genuinely living with a family as an au-pair then you were not an employee and therefore neither you nor the family you lived with were liable for paying tax or national insurance contributions.

Did you get your au-pair position through an agency? If so go back to them for advice. Otherwise make an appointment with the CAB.

sorry what do u mean by genuinely? I was au pair, the family did pay me for it..

I dd not get the job through an agency...

I have also considered going to CAB but as they open on Tuesday and i am really stressed out about this i decide to ask for advice here

nicolett

Whiteknight wrote: »

Sounds like you failed the Habitual Residency Test, you can appeal the decision but I would try to find out the exact reasons why you have been refused.

I dd call them to know exactly what was the prob;em, but the person i spoke to was really vague...
and start saying it may be this or this or this problem
and if i do appeal it will take from 4 to 6months ..
I mean i am about to have a breakdown i can i survive with just about £70 a week that i am receiving now?
and i can not afford to pay for the rent..i am already in areas...
I do not have any problem gather all proves to show them i have been here since 2003,
also the family i was working for works for government and they are my reference....

:(:(:(:(:(

nannytone_2

regardless of whether the childs father wants a relationship with the child, he should still be supporting it! get in touch with the CSA regarding maintenance.

wishface

My advice would be to get in contact with the Citizens Advice Bureau. They are very busy but they are the best for giving advice. Even though there are some rather unpleasant attitudes in society right now, there are people who will help and people who do care. Are you registered with a doctor? If so make an appointment to speak to them to ask for help.

In the meantime I would recomment doing everything you can to try and relax. Stress is a horrible feeling. Just remember to keep breathing and never hold in tension. Be strong for the child and for yourself. I'm sure there are others who read this board who can offer better help, but persist in trying to contact the CAB even if it takes a while.

Welshwoofs

nicolett wrote: »

sorry what do u mean by genuinely? I was au pair, the family did pay me for it..

Hi there

In the UK, an Au Pair is not classed as a job, but as a placement in a family home for foreigners to learn the culture and language, in exchange for light duties and childcare. For this reason the money you're paid (which is not a wage, but more like 'pocket money') is not taxed and you don't pay National Insurance on it (which means you don't get access to contribution based benefits).

I don't know about the other issues you've raised, but you should definitely call the Child Support Agency. In the UK, even if the biological Father of a child wants nothing to do with the Mother or child, they are legally obliged to financially contribute. The Child Support Agency will sort out that situation for you.

If you have nobody in this country and are lacking support, would it not be wise to consider returning to Slovakia where you'd have a family network to help you bring up your child?